Transparency in Blender [VIDEO]

In the first half of the "Transparency in Blender" tutorial, each of the basic transparency ‘types’ was discussed, outlining their general function and how to set each one up. In the following a series of videos show that process, individulaised to make it easier to grasp what’s needed and what’s happening.

Download: Katsbits – Transparency Example (c. 700 KB | *.blend, *.tga).

So whilst getting ‘alpha’ based transparency to work in properly in Blenders 3D View so both ‘types’ (material or image based) correctly display can be a bit tricky because of the different ways it can be done, and the ‘real time’ nature of the feature. It needn’t be however, as the following explains.

A basic understanding of Blender and making Materials, as well as the User Interface, is recommended but not required to get the most from the below.

It may also be helpful to have and alpha-channelled bitmap to hand when working through the tutorial (see resources opposite).

Material Transparency +Image Alpha

Setting up Material transparency to include image based alpha (no "Game Settings"). Blender 2.50 up to and including latest (2.71 shown). More »

Material only Transparency in Blender

Using Material properties "Alpha" to set material only transparency (no textures or alpha-channelled images). For Blender 2.50 up to and including latest (2.71 shown). More »

Game Settings Transparency in Blender

"Game Settings" transparency in Blender, introduced to 2.60 and carried through to current versions (2.71 shown). More »

Material Transparency with Alpha in Blender 2.49

Adding transparency to surfaces using both Material properties and image based alpha data (but no “Texture Face” properties). More »

Material Transparency in Blender 2.49

Adding transparency to surfaces using Material properties only, without image based alpha and “Texture Face” properties. More »

Texture Face in Blender 2.49

Adding transparency to surfaces using image based alpha channel data through “Texture Face” properties. More »