Question on how to make glass with a design on top

Th1rt33nth

Hey all.
I've been trying to go back to the basics and re-learn 3ds max from the beginning as I kind of jumped into it and have discovered that I have gaps in my understanding of creating.
Digital Tutors has been a great help but I have a more direct question I haven't been able to find online anywhere.
I'd like to make a glass and then create a transparent glass-like texture with a design/logo on top that is solid. So something like an IKEA glass - transparent but it has solid-ly colored bubbles or something like that.
I know it has something to do with creating a texture with alphas in photoshop but I have no idea how to do that.
Any links to tutorials or help?
Thanks.

olivierth

It all depends how realistic you want it to be and what renderer you're using. Are you going with mental ray or vray?

Also, if you can show that IKEA example, it would help us help you.

Th1rt33nth

I'd like it to be as realistic as I can get - but keeping in mind that I would like to use it for a game/game engine eventually.
And, it'd be mental ray - vray is still a bit out of my budget for a bit.
And for the reference - there are lots but here's a link to just one from IKEA - http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40149810/

Thanks for the reply!

olivierth

Well, I haven't tried mental ray in a long time but it's probably the same as in vray. You'd need to make a black and white image where the see-through parts are white, and the logo parts are black. You'd plug that in the refraction slot.

The same sort of maps could be used in a game engine. Are you gonna use UDK?

I'm glad if this helps you!

AlecMoody

Define these materials separately and then use a mask to blend between them with a mix material.

Th1rt33nth

Cool, I will experiment. As for what I eventually plan to use - I'd like to use UDK - another thing I have to re-learn, and perhaps Unity as well.
Anything special for making alphas for UDK?
Thanks.

olivierth

For UDK and the alphas, you should just import with the right compression (although using the default will probably work) and also set the material type correctly. Some material types don't let you use an opacity map. And for reflections and refraction effects, no idea! hehe

Good luck!

AlecMoody

If you are using UDK ignore what I said. Also, lower your expectations for how it will look compared to vray.