P3D v4 Z-Test alpha pax windows

[Mosesjunior]

Hello all, i am having difficulties trying to get the pax windows of this model working properly. Idea is similar to how PMDG, CaptainSim does their window by not cutting the fuselage mesh at all but instead using alpha channels in textures to have windows see through. Any idea what material settings should be set in 3DS to achieve this?

thanks in advance

 

[tgibson]

I believe that things like that are listed in the SDK docs? If not, you could import a model into ModelConverterX, go to the Material Editor, pick a texture, and choose Set Default Transparent from the drop down box. Then copy all the settings listed on the right side into your 3DS material.

 

[Mosesjunior]

I believe that things like that are listed in the SDK docs? If not, you could import a model into ModelConverterX, go to the Material Editor, pick a texture, and choose Set Default Transparent from the drop down box. Then copy all the settings listed on the right side into your 3DS material.

The thing is, set default transparency will make the whole fuselage transparent. The windows are not cut out in the mesh the windows are just on textures with me trying to control their transparency through alpha channel.

 

[tgibson]

No, set default transparency should only make the areas with black alpha channels transparent - that's how Default Transparent works.

 

[Mosesjunior]

Well, opened my file in 3DS, went in materials, selected my fwd fuselage just to test AGAIN set to default transparency and exported and this is the result again as can see the fwd section is almost see through and no my alpha channel is how it is to be i even set black on specific part of texture and this is what i get. Set default transparency i use on windows that i know of and works ok. Plus I don’t see PMDG using default transparency in their 737s.

Its
Z-Test Alpha
Alpha Test Level: 129.something
Alpha test mode = greater

this is what i see others use that use the no window cut alpha channeled texture. But i use this but my windows show up in sim as if there’s no windows at all just completely see through not even reflection.

 

[tgibson]

You now need to change the Alpha Test Level number until your fuselage is opaque and your windows are transparent. Trial and error.

 

[Mosesjunior]

When i made mention
“Its Z-Test Alpha
Alpha Test Level: 129.something
Alpha test mode = greater”

i was referring to the settings i saw at PMDG.

but since set default transparency can be used, lets say i now added a fresh P3D material and i clicked diffuse box and added my bitmap. Now i click set default transparency after, what are all the other settings you suggest i use in 3DS? Please outline suggestion.

 

[tgibson]

I said trial and error of the Alpha Test Level. I don't know more.