Translucency

[jde]

Perhaps this is a naive question that will reveal my lack of knowledge about graphics rendering issues, but I'm wondering if it's possible to create (using 3DS Max, ideally) translucent objects and render them in Vizard. Something along the lines of the attached photo, but obviously with more simple geometric objects. I'd like to create something like this glass wall, and if you're looking at it while an object goes behind it, it should appear to be less distinct but still visible as in the photo. I'm guess that this might be difficult because it involves a lot of dynamic lighting, etc.?

[Jeff]

You can export a model with varying degrees of alpha. The 3ds Max to Vizard article explains what materials carry over to Vizard.

[Veleno]

Hi Jde,

This kind of effect is possible in Vizard, but requires the use of custom GLSL shaders.

[jde]

Thanks! When you say "custom" do you mean that we'd probably need someone to write a shader to accomplish this effect, or do you mean that there are some existing shaders that might do what we need. If the latter, do you know where to find them?

[Veleno]

Hi JDE,

Yes, in this case someone would need to write a shader. If you have someone there experienced with C++, they'd be a good choice for the task. Off the top of my head I don't know of a specific code example, but it is a fairly common effect. I wouldn't be surprised if something like that showed up commonly in tutorials or in books like GPU Gems.