# Using alpha

**URL:** <https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [June 15, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869 "2008-06-15T23:34:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jorgensen\_cg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jorgensen\_cg](https://forums.chaos.com/u/Jorgensen_cg)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869/1 "2008-06-15T23:34:28Z")

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Is true, that it is not possible to use images that have a alpha in it to render trees ?

One have to setup a map for the aplha channel in the VRay material ?

I would like a have a library of trees that I can import as 2d components - how do I create this the best way ?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![dcauldwell\_cg](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/dcauldwell_cg/32/48271_2.png) [@dcauldwell\_cg](https://forums.chaos.com/u/dcauldwell_cg)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2008, 7:39am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869/2 "2008-06-16T07:39:32Z")

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Re: Using alpha

Yes, you are correct, but it is easy to create the clipmaps see [Chaos: Industry-leading design and visualization software](http://asgvis.com/index.php?option=com%5C_smf&Itemid=90&topic=4059.msg20669#msg20669)  
(here I used the emissive layer, but most of the time you would use the diffuse layer - and its associated transparency)  
so all you need is your image and a seperate alpha map for each one

David

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**Author:** ![Jorgensen\_cg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jorgensen\_cg](https://forums.chaos.com/u/Jorgensen_cg)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 8:26am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869/3 "2008-06-19T08:26:14Z")

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Re: Using alpha

Does the VRay material stay in the saved component ? or do I have to apply it everytime I import the component ?

How about the path the alpha-channel ? does it work if I move the component to an other computer ?

I have tried to create a tree component, with a aplha-channel added. But it does’nt seem to work. If I try to open the component again, I get a bugsplash ☹

Thanks  
Jorgensen

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**Author:** ![dcauldwell\_cg](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/dcauldwell_cg/32/48271_2.png) [@dcauldwell\_cg](https://forums.chaos.com/u/dcauldwell_cg)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 12:50pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869/4 "2008-06-19T12:50:20Z")

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Re: Using alpha

Jorgensen  
I tried this out and I can’t find a way to save the alpha channel with the component either.  
I usually set these up on a project basis, so I haven’t hit the problem before.  
Maybe it is something the team might like to look at.

David

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**Author:** ![dkendig](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/dkendig/32/41793_2.png) [@dkendig](https://forums.chaos.com/u/dkendig)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869/5 "2008-06-19T15:18:59Z")

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Re: Using alpha

Jorgensen- We posted an updated version of our SR1 yesterday that has a fix for a textured material related crash. Please make sure that you update your version, to ensure that the crash you’re experiencing isn’t related to this issue.

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**Author:** ![Jorgensen\_cg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jorgensen\_cg](https://forums.chaos.com/u/Jorgensen_cg)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2008, 7:22am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/using-alpha/31869/6 "2008-06-20T07:22:51Z")

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Re: Using alpha

Thanks - I’ll try that.