How do I create a 3D Transparency Map – AE + ZAX

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi Joe,

I do like the tint on the reflection map.

Whether it would be easier to build in another app depends on a lot of things:

The time it takes to build models like this in any app depends on how well you know the app. If you are starting from square 1, my belief is that the learning curve for lightwave, maya, etc is much steeper — it would take you a lot longer to learn enough in those apps to be useful, than it does to learn how to work Invigorator and ProAnimator.

So long as you can break objects down into components that can be extruded from simple shapes, Invigorator and ProAnimator are up to the task. I’ve seen some very nice, very complex models created with these tools.

Having said that, there are some things that absolutely should be done in Lighwave or something like it — organic shapes and character animation come to mind.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[Angeym]

I have a question to Jon Okerstrom. I tried to do your crown tutorial. But i can’t put the layers like transparency map. Where is a mistake? I can put tga file instead of Layer. In your project – situation is the same. Help me, please!

[Jon Okerstrom]

Hi AngeyM,

The transparency map can be a tga. Simply double click on the thumbnail square next to the transparency slider and use the pop-up navigator to find the image you want to use as your transparency map. It works on black, white and grayscale values. You don’t need to adjust the transparency slider.

Be sure the material to which you’ve added the transparency map is then applied to your object.

You can also use a layermap as a transparency map to animate the transparency and get some really cool effects.

Does this helps?

Jon