Alpha and Transparency

TrainGlass.fx is not included with RS – RW only ? I`m not sure.

I own only RS updated up to MKII and I found in my Installation folder …
…Rail SimulatordevShaders*.*
TrainGlass.fx.o (compressed ? or compiled ?)
TrainGlass.fx (editable)
both dated 06.08.2008

I used to do this all the time in MSTS using TSM, but I am frustrated beyond head-banging with trying to create transparencies for RailWorks with 3DC.

I need a tutorial or an explanation of how this is done, from creating the Alpha Channel (and what tool you use to do this) to implementing the Transparency in 3DC.

As far as i’ve gotten with this is creating a transparent circle on the ground. I am trying to create a light glow, but when I try to implement alpha in it, I get a solid blue circle.

Also, i’m trying to use TGA with Alpha Channel for window cut-outs. First of all, when I try to use the TGA file in 3DC, it comes out all distorted, but the Alpha channel shows up. Then, when I export the object, it shows up as a solid blue object.

[img:1ifmzlcv]http://community.groupee.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_mad.gif’%20alt=’Mad’%20width=’15’%20height=’15[/img:1ifmzlcv]

Never-mind folks! As usual with the questions i’ve asked in this forum, i’ve either figured it out on my own or have gone to a third-party site to find the answer i’m looking for. Asking for help in this forum has gotten me the Internet equivalent of an idiot’s blank stare!

And to Amabilis – wonderful program, this 3DC, but your documentation, tutorials, and FAQ are pathetic!

I agree with your comment concerning ‘but your documentation, tutorials, and FAQ are pathetic!’ I’m a newcomer myself, particulary for 3d object creation. Being 75 yrs old, I didn’t grow up knowing what a lot of people take for granted. For most of the icons on the 3DC Program, I haven’t the slightest idea of what they do or what effect they will have. I’m learning by trial and error (mostly error). I did scenery files for MS Flight Sim but that’s ancient history. At least it keeps my mind busy!

[img:3dk5gph3]http://amabilis.com/[/img:3dk5gph3]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://amabilis.com/">http://amabilis.com/</a>&lt;!– m –>

First row on the left… tutorials… many things are the same in MSTS and RW.

[BLOCKQUOTE class=’ip-ubbcode-quote’][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-title’]quote:[/div][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-content’] For most of the icons on the 3DC Program, I haven’t the slightest idea of what they do or what effect they will have. [/div][/BLOCKQUOTE]
For God’s sake don’t press F1 or click the menu ‘help’ – ‘contents’ inside 3DC because there is a GRUE.. mmm HELP whith all the infos about the ‘icons’ of the program… <!– s:D –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!– s:D –>

[BLOCKQUOTE class=’ip-ubbcode-quote’][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-title’]quote:[/div][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-content’]but your documentation, tutorials, and FAQ are pathetic! [/div][/BLOCKQUOTE]
‘funny things’ that can be found on this forum….
‘How do you show a transparency in KRS? ‘ OPS… <!– s:D –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!– s:D –>
[img:3dk5gph3]http&#58;//amabilis&#46;com/forumattachments/a/tpc/f/50410947331/m/84410215441[/img:3dk5gph3]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://amabilis.com/forumattachments…947331/m/84410215441">http://amabilis.com/forumattachments&#8230; … 4410215441</a><!– m –>

Hello,

The topic quoted by Bremen is about BlendATexDiff which should work both for RailSimulator and RailWorks..

It seems (I haven’t experimented it so far but I started to gather information some time ago) that there is a new shader for Railworks called [img:2tjjo3mj]http&#58;//forums&#46;uktrainsim&#46;com/viewtopic&#46;php?f=305andt=102858andp=1254680and#p1254680[/img:2tjjo3mj]
TrainGlass.fx

It has 3 optional parameters in the RailSimX custom field:
r0arg0 = specular exponent
r0arg1 = reflection intensity
r0arg2 = reflection illumination

It doesn’t seem that TrainGlass.fx is compatible with RailSimulator (it’s not in TS documentation but I didn’t found it either in online [img:2tjjo3mj]http&#58;//www&#46;railsimdownloads&#46;com/wiki/tiki-index&#46;php?page=Shadersandstructure=Reference%20Manual[/img:2tjjo3mj]
RW documentation
)

Best is to read the topic… but it triggers me one question:
Are r0arg0, r0arg1 and r0arg2 of any use for other shaders?

BlendATexDiff should not have the .fx on the end (see RW documentation)

TrainGlass.fx is not included with RS – RW only

[BLOCKQUOTE class=’ip-ubbcode-quote’][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-title’]quote:[/div][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-content’]Originally posted by DOM107:
Are r0arg0, r0arg1 and r0arg2 of any use for other shaders? [/div][/BLOCKQUOTE]

Not really – very few make use of them but there are other parameters in that field that can be used for texture animation.

[BLOCKQUOTE class=’ip-ubbcode-quote’][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-title’]quote:[/div][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-content’]Originally posted by Paul Gausden:
BlendATexDiff should not have the .fx on the end (see RW documentation)

[/div][/BLOCKQUOTE]

Yes. That’s the way I set it too (without .fx). Post edited. Thanks!