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3d Studio Max Illuminated Numberboard and

Transparent Window Tutorial

In this tutorial you will learn how to illuminate the numbers on a numberboard for a locomotive and create transparent windows.

Note. To complete this tutorial you will need to have available a model that has already been textured and has an unwrap UVW modifier applied to it. You can get the demonstration files here.

Transparency Method 1

Transparency Method 2

Selective Illumination

1. Sample files

The following screen shot shows the sample .max file pre textured with a diffuse map which sets the main image.

Figure 1 Sample file

2. Opacity

The next thing we need to add is an opacity map. This will allow Trainz to determine which part of the diffuse map to read. Any part of the map that is not black will show up in varying intensity depending on the brightness. For this map white numbers on a black background the same size as the diffuse map is suitable for the numberboard tutorial. By changing the brightness towards the center you can simulate a light bulb behind the numberboard. Set the level of the opacity to16. If you cannot find the window in Figure 3, change the map from the drop down box above the map settings.

Figure 2 Changing maps

3. Reflection

The last item we need to add is a reflection map. This allows the numbers to glow and also controls the brightness of the glow. You can change the color of the reflection map to simulate any type of light. Set the level of the reflection to 40

Figure 3 Material map settings

You can change the settings of the reflection and the opacity and also the color used in the bitmaps to obtain different effects.

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Transparency

There are several methods to achieve transparency in Trainz this tutorial discusses two methods

Method 1.

Using the opacity settings within 3d Studio

1. Box

The first thing we need to do is create a box to apply the textures to.The dimensions of the box are immaterial for this project.

2. Textures

Now we need to add the textures to the box. For the "Diffuse Color" use the "Opacity.tga" file and leave the "Amount" set at 100. For the "Opacity" Map use the "Opacity.bmp" and set the "Amount" to 50. This is what determines how transparent the final window will be.

Figure 1 Material map settings

3. Adjustments

Changing the amount of transparency of the window can be done in two different ways. The first is to change the "Amount" in the "Opacity" settings and the other is to change the color of the bitmap. The brighter the color the less transparency. If you paint areas of the bitmap pure white (255,255,255) then that area will no longer be transparent and similarly if you go the other way and paint it pure black (0,0,0) then it will be totally transparent.

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Method 2.

Using the alpha channel in Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro.

1. Plane

The first thing we need to do is create a plane to apply the textures to.The dimensions of the plane are immaterial for this project however you will need to apply an "Unwrap UVW" modifier and map the textures to a specific location. For this tutorial I have used a chain map and applied it to the plane. Figure 1 shows the plane with the chain pattern mapped correctly

Figure 1 Plane with chain texture applied

2. Alpha channels

The next thing we need to do is create an alpha channel* for the chain. Once you have created an alpha channel and exported the plane you then need to add the following lines to the Chain.texture.txt file

Primary=Chain.tga
Tile=st
Hint=Dynamic
Alpha=Chain.tga

The final result should look like figure 2.(Image viewed in Trainz Object Explorer)

Figure 2 Finished product viewed in Trainz Object Explorer

Once again as with the previous method changing the shade of the alpha channel affects the level of transparency. This method is used quite often for windows on buildings etc.

*Methods used to create alpha channels are discussed in the Photoshop Art File tutorial and the Paint Shop Pro Art File tutorial.

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