3DSMax - use an images actual opacity instead of an alpha

PolyHertz

Is there a way in max to use the actual opacity of an image (ie. areas where there is no paint) to work like a b&w alpha in the viewport? So paint = solid, no paint = see through. If not natively, maybe with a a 3rd party shader?

spacefrog

Are you talking about PSD transparency ? or PNG ?
You just have to enable "Show Realistic Material in the Viewport" for that material. ( the blue checker box button )
For PNG you have to disable "Premultiplied Alpha" in the map'S bitmap parameters
For the PSD you have to pick the individual Layer in File load'S setup dialog

PolyHertz

I'm using PSDs (or sometimes tiffs with layers), with Max2012. "Realistic Materials" checker box, and selecting individual layers with opacity from the PSD in the import dialog setup doesn't seem to matter from my tests

spacefrog

Both work perfectly here ( Max 2012 ) ( see attached pic )
The Max 2012 and texture files are in the zip below

http://www.frogsinspace.at/tmp/OpacityTest.zip

PolyHertz

Whoops! Seems I needed to be using realistic shading mode, not just realistic materials, in order for transparency to work correctly.

Thanks

spacefrog

No - the realistic viewport shading mode is not necessary
Just chose it because it looked prettier with the shadows