Saving as transparent

Raylectron (https://Raylectron.com) is a 3D rendering engine for Trimble Sketchup (https://sketchup.com)
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msa
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Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 2:39 pm

Saving as transparent

Post by msa »

Hi Support,

I've rendered a couple of images and when I save them as transparent some of the actual image shows a very slight transparency. Glass etc does, as expected, but solid areas depicting walls, and canopies also do? I've attached a couple of images to show what I mean. This happens all the time.

From what I can gather it's areas that are assigned 'shine' and 'reflectance' within Raylectron but with 0 transparency. The shinier the material the more transparent it becomes..? Tarmac and block paving for example stay solid, having no shine or reflectivity added. Another curiosity is windows looking into internal areas, set as 'glass' also take on transparency even though the room inside should be showing through and remaining solid?

All advice greatly appreciated.

regards

Mike
Attachments
Transparent 2.jpg
Transparent 2.jpg (262.2 KiB) Viewed 12103 times
Transparent 1.jpg
Transparent 1.jpg (310.18 KiB) Viewed 12103 times
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Support
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Re: Saving as transparent

Post by Support »

The reason is because reflectance or shine to the sky must reflect the correct background. Say you render with trees, and you add buildings in PS. What will be reflected of those surfaces will be trees not buildings. So now you can have it reflect whatever you like to match your background. So in PS, you can add your background as usual and for the reflected areas you can also add a background for them to match your background. If you have a mirror for example that reflect the sky and your background is dark or red, you want the mirror to reflect the correct thing, not just plain white, We took background transparency to a new level in order to give you full control over everything reflecting the environment, not just a plain cutout of the model.
Your support team.
https://SoftByteLabs.com
msa
Posts: 68
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 2:39 pm

Re: Saving as transparent

Post by msa »

Thanks, that makes sense. My work around was to add a flat colour SU image of the building behind my Raylectron one to fill in the unwanted transparent areas.
Next I will try saving Raylectron as transparent and one not transparent and using those. I'd still like an SU(CH) equivalent option built in though, but that's my preferred work flow :)
Respect to your awesome software and fast, positive support.
Regards
Mike
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Re: Saving as transparent

Post by Support »

We will still work on exporting the layers but for now, your best bet is to same as a transparent PNG so the anti-alias edges also have an alpha channel.
Your support team.
https://SoftByteLabs.com
msa
Posts: 68
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 2:39 pm

Re: Saving as transparent

Post by msa »

Hi Support,
Finally found out what would make Raylectron near perfect for me! A dedicated Material ID channel, same as vRay.
Please tell me on its the 'to do' list with the light luminosity sliders?
Sorry to keep banging on about this but post production is massive in my workflow and I seriously need the channel export option.
Thanks for listening.
Regards
Mike
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Re: Saving as transparent

Post by Support »

Yes it is Mike, it will be in v5. In fact, we are working on layering everything :)
Your support team.
https://SoftByteLabs.com
msa
Posts: 68
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 2:39 pm

Re: Saving as transparent

Post by msa »

:D :D :D Brilliant..thanks guys
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