Zbuffer feature in Maya, any?

bugo

Shouldnt any 3d software have a feature like that? For an example, hair, decals, or whatever you want to do, you could set your draw whenever you want it first or last and Maya/Max/XSI could do it for you, I just think it would be much better for game development if these softwares add this feature on it. Let me know everybody thoughts.

(maybe someone have a plugin or script that i could make drawing order or something)

Eric Chadwick

Only when rendered does it really use the zbuffer for sorting per-pixel like you want, not in the live viewport because it's too slow to update in real-time. Besides, these apps tradeoff game-like rendering quality for performance, because they have a different design philosophy than games do.

bugo

Thats true, but they could implement on alpha occasions, as I cant show a client my realtime model sometimes. I think that would be easier if they add that in the future, even if there´s a on/off function.

SUNCHIRP

I'm using MAYA 2008 Extension 2

In your viewport menu, under Shading, switch on Polygon Transparency Sorting, as opposed to Object Transparency Sorting, this will fix all your alpha problems.

See Example : -

rooster

I *think you can also manually sort stuff by merging the polys in a particular order (closer stuff last) and it draws them by vert number. I think

SUNCHIRP

That technique will only produce a sorted model to a particular view, i.e. front view only, generally it will fall apart as you move to side views and behind, or when tumbling in the perspective view. The Polygon Transparency Sorting method is the best way, because it simply works, no more alpha problems.

rooster

oh, no doubt, poly transparency method is best. i have noticed a performance hit in some situations though