Can transparent effect be added in the object?

Hi all,

Even the material used in 3ds hv semi-transparent effect(like 50% opacity), the effect cant be shown in flexsim, is there any way to do so? Thanks.

Kelvin

Kelvin,

I like to give a quick and short answer:

You can have transparency effects in Flexsim, because it uses OpenGL-Technology.

One way to do is to use own shape for the object and make this shape in Custom Draw Code with draw commands which have an opacity parameter like drawcube().

Another way is to give your imported shape a texture. I use a *.bmp which is white and a *.tmp which is gray. The level of gray influences the opacity. If you use black it is 100 percent transparent. Gray 50 percent is than 50 percent transparent.
Be aware, that the name for the *.bmp and *.tmp must be the same.
Be aware, that there are differences between a *.wrl and *.3ds shape, e.g. regarding textures.


I am sure that e.g. Phil Bobo or Brenton King can explain much better and in more detail and in a more technical way, what can be done and not.

Good success
tom the (A)tom

Kelvin,

If you search in the Flexsim User Manual for "transparency", you'll see a good explanation of how it is used and can be manipulated in Flexsim. Flexsim doesn't read the opacity parameter from 3ds or wrl files, but you can set up your files using textures so that they have transparency in Flexsim. This is significantly faster and more flexible although more work from the user.

As Tom said, you can also use OpenGL commands to draw transparent objects yourself if you want.

The Automated Paint Line example model in Flexsim Display models in the Downloads section of the forum shows a simple example of transparency in Flexsim.

-Phil

Thanks both, problem solved. Previously I missed the point that the grey scale of the .tmp reflect the transpancy level.

Kelvin