Transparency maps

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# 1 30-07-2006 , 06:31 PM

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Sorry for the simplistic question but when im applying a tree texture to a plane, and then adding the alpha map in the transparency channel and then turn on cast shadows, there is an outline shadow of the plane. How come?

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# 2 01-08-2006 , 09:28 AM

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to your eye only the tree exists on that layer, but to maya it sees the whole rectangular shape. the lights can't tell the difference, so it'll be a square shadow. i think you need to cut the tree out to get a shadow.

i could be wrong, if so i'd like to know how to do that too.

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# 3 01-08-2006 , 09:47 AM

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When i was using LightWave i found that clip maps were the answer but dont know if there might be something like that in Maya. Surely there would be as I've got the Total Textures cd's and they encourage the use of having plants applied onto planes.

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# 4 01-08-2006 , 05:25 PM

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hey check this tutorial out... this should be what you need...

https://www.3dtreat.com/pages/tutoria.../solution.html

Accept no substitutions.

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# 5 01-08-2006 , 06:16 PM

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Thank you so much. He mentions that it should be fixed in later versions and I'm using 7 so are there any other suggestions? plus it seems to make the colour a bit too bright

cheers

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# 6 01-08-2006 , 08:33 PM

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What file format are you using?

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# 7 01-08-2006 , 11:31 PM

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I was using a JPEG but i think the same applied for TIFF

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# 8 02-08-2006 , 07:10 AM

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JPEGs do not support Transparancies, suggest a png or PSD File

Chris (formerly R@nSiD)
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When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will truely know peace - Jimmy Hendrix

Winner SM VFX Challenge 1

3rd Place SM SteamPunk Challenge (May 2007)

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# 9 02-08-2006 , 01:46 PM

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at the same time that jpg files don't support transparency, you can still use them and achieve transparency in a material by creating a black and white silhouette of your original jpeg and attaching it to the transparency of your material.

as far as it appearing too bright, under the file texture attribute editor you can decrease the color gain levels in your color balance tab.

Accept no substitutions.

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# 10 07-08-2006 , 08:09 PM

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Yes what I had done was create a alpha map and also used the transparency values already present in a TIFF image.

For those interested I have found the best solution which is funny how it doesnt seem to be mentioned in a lot of places. What you have to do is reduce the 'shadow attenuation' to 0 in the objects raytrace properties.

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