Alpha Channel TARGA files

[Postality]

I'm currently working on a 2d game that supports alpha channel PNG/TARGA files and I was wondering if there was a way I could render to TARGA and have only the model itself reder and everything else be a "blank" background.

 

This is a vital process for my game and I'm hoping it can be done in A:M

 

if it helps, I'm using v11.1H

 

Thanx guys.

[nimblepix]

Sure. Just turn off anything you don't want rendered

and then turn on alpha in buffers on output.

 

 

[Postality]

okay sorry for my newbish ways, but how do I turn off everything I don't want at render time such as the floor and walls (not sure there is walls by default, but the floor seems to render...)? or do I do that somehow beforehand?

 

Thanx alot of your help and screen, it's much easier for me to see a visual aid to get things done. I'm not good with reading and learning by that.

[Camillo]

Hay Postality,

 

In your PWS (Project work Space) find the Choreography and clock on each item.

 

In the properties panel you will have a choice of active on or off. Just set everything but your model and lights to active off.

 

That renders the background to black in the alpha chanel.

 

Camillo

 

[Postality]

So that blue looking background will be black at rendertime and be a alpha?

 

Sorry guys, just trying to get some info on this stuff, I'm moving from 2D animation to 3D and I'm loving it, just need some help.

 

I appreciate all the input. You guys are great.

[Camillo]

Yes,

 

Just make sure you have alpha buffer on when you render.

 

Camillo

 

[Postality]

And lastly, is there a way I can export to a alpha enabled PNG instead?

[Camillo]

I'm using V14 and it will render to PNG, I don't know about V11 I skipped past that one. Went from V8.5 to V13 then to V14.

 

If you have Adobe Photoshop or access to it. You can import the TARGA file into it and export as a PNG file (I use Photoshop V7)

 

I always work with TARGA Files and it works well for me.

 

I hope I was of some help,

 

Camillo

[Postality]

Thank you very much Camillo, you've been a great help.

 

I'll be constructing my models now that I know it can do what I need it to now.

 

I'll post some screens and info about it more when it's closer to completion.

 

I'll be modeling the main character first (Krane Razner) for the game.

 

I'll let people see him when I get something to look at.

 

Thanx again.

[Camillo]

I'm Not much of a gamer and have never worked on such.

 

Currently I'm working on POV movies for motion simulators and there has been talk about

creating games for the simulators. It uses the Vuzix Model VR 920 Glasses and head phones for sight and sound,

so it should adapt well for games.

 

I look forward to seeing some of your work.

 

Speaking of work, I've taken enough of a break and must get back to work.

Dead lines can create stress.

 

Camillo

[Fuchur]

I think you have to use the TARGA-format.

A:M can now render to TGAs but v11 wasnt capable of that.

The image-types png, jpg and exr where implemented in v12. -> Feature-List v12

 

Another tipp: If you use activate, you should although use the animate-button (deactivate it) or go at least to frame 0 before using the activate-option.

The Animate-Button is the button in the right top-corner which shows an big "A" on it.

It will prevent A:M from setting keyframes, so that the models are of for all the time and don't animate to be active or not on a specific time.

DONT FORGET TO REACTIVATE THE A-Button BEFORE YOU ANIMATE ANYTHING. That would destroy your animation because without the A button you can control the default-position of your bones, cps, models, etc.

[nimblepix]

A:M can now render to TGAs but v11 wasnt capable of that.

 

v11 can render to targa.

[Rodney]

v11 can render to targa.

 

I believe Fuchur meant PNG there instead of TGA.

 

A:M has been able to render to TGA for umm... err... since the beginning of A:M?