opacity maps

[Brim]

OK - I've been searching (the forums and VrayInfo) and have found several solutions. I want to make railings out of plane and simple opacity map textured on. Which method works the best in the currrent version of Vray (.03g)? I noticed that the tutorials at VRay Info are about a year old when it comes to alpha channe / opacity maps, so I was wondering what is the quickest and easiest way to accomplish this?

1. Do I put the opacity map in the Vray mat translucent map slot?
2. use blend mat ala VRay Info, and VRay wrap?
3. use standard MAX mat and VRay wrap?

Please help me b/c I'm confused. Right now I've got it on max standard mat - map in opacity slot, Vray wrapper mat, matte surface checked, shadows checked. Here is a test image...the railings look horrible.




Much thanks,
Xavier

[GoncaloP]

Just use the alpha map channel in the refration slot, make sure you have the hidden area have with white color, if not invert the map, and then ajust the IOR value to 1.0. You can use a map on the diffuse slot or only ajust the difuse color.

Gonçalo

[Brim]

How's it going in sunny Portugal? Thank you for clearing that up for me Goncalo. It worked like a charm! I'm learning VRay slowly every day.

Xavier

[GoncaloP]

Its going fine thanks!

Cheers,

Gonçalo