DDS Help

[Benton]

Hello,

 

I have a plant model that uses a transparent leaf texture on the faces to make the plant. When this texture is used by the model's material, the model shows up black. However, when I use the cobblestones.dds file for the texture, it works perfectly. So maybe the alpha is not working?

 

Here is the .dds file.

 

And this is my .mat file:

 

texture0="abstract::leaf.dds"

shader="abstract::mesh_diffuse.vert","abstract::mesh_diffuse.frag","abstract::mesh_alphatest.frag"

shadowshader="abstract::mesh_shadow_skin.vert"

 

 

Thanks,

Benton

[Marleys Ghost]

It has no mipmaps.

[Benton]

Ok I have no clue how to make/use a mipmap.

[cassius]

I think you just click on generate mipmaps in photoshop or whatever 2d app you use.

[Road Kill Kenny]

Or when u use 'MakeDDS' tool that comes with LE there is an option to choose called 'Generate MipMaps'

[Benton]

Alright so the mipmapping worked, thanks! So now it is mapped onto the leaf mesh, but the alpha/black is showing. Is it not alpha? How would I make the black part around the leaf transparent, it works in Blender...

[Road Kill Kenny]

You need to set up alpha blending in the material and you need to choose a shader that considers alpha.

 

So Blend Mode: Alpha

 

Pixel Shader: A shader with alphatest... or is it alphablend.. can't remember off the top of my head.

[Pixel Perfect]

Alpha test will give full transparency on anything set over a certain transparency but is cheaper to process, you need to use alpha blend if you want true graduated transparency

[Road Kill Kenny]

Alpha test will give full transparency on anything set over a certain transparency but is cheaper to process, you need to use alpha blend if you want true graduated transparency

 

Cheers couldn't quite remember while at work. So For a leaf you would probably use alphatest because its either a leaf or not... Unless you have translucent leaves

[Benton]

Yeah I found the material docs and was able to use alpha test. Now that I figured out the pipeline, I can use it just as fast and just as well as anything. Thanks

[Reaper2]

I too find this information helpful but am still stuck due to not being able to locate the generate mip map button in adobe photoshop elements 9, or with the make DDL application.

I am probably missing something obviose,but any help would be greatly appriaciated.

 

Does the make DDL application need internet access to work fully, cuase otherwise all it does for me is make the DDL file that the editor does not even recognize as being there, and the 3d world editor shows as black.

[macklebee]

do you mean the MakeDDS.exe in the tools folder? the dialog has an Options button that allows you to save mipmaps, the dds format, etc...

[Reaper2]

Yep thats the one.

Okay found it now, Thanks a ton!

I will have to experiment with this a bit now and figure out how it works, and once again thank you.