Topic: Opacity Maps

[darbo]

The glass texture doesn't seem to support opacity maps. How do I simulate an etched/frosted glass pattern on glass panels (with varying levels of opacity)?

[Morten]

Hi darbo, while it is possible to add a texture to the Glass material in Lumion this material does not support an opacity mask. In other words, you have to change the Reflectivity slider and the brightness of the Color slider in order to change the opacity.

Workarounds:
http://lumion3d.com/forum/general-discussion/how-can-i-create-glass-with-bump/msg23945/#msg23945

[darbo]

Thanks for the reply Morten! Unfortunately that thread doesn't speak to my need (it appears geared toward cast glass type products, like glass block). I'm just looking for a way to represent an etched/frosted glass pattern in Lumion, like the patterns here: http://www.skydesign.com/portfolio#1 .

Does support for opacity maps poses a problem for Lumion? I can understand if it does, but as Lumion is an architectural visualization software, I hope that offering users the ability to realistically represent all archtictural materials is a developmental priority.

[Morten]

If you mean frosted glass that actually blurs the objects behind the glass, this is not possible. As for etched glass, all you can do is to export an object with a texture and set the Texture Influence to max.

100% White on the texture = Fully transparent.
100% Black on the texture = Fully opaque.

[darbo]

If you mean frosted glass that actually blurs the objects behind the glass, this is not possible. As for etched glass, all you can do is to export an object with a texture and set the Texture Influence to max.

100% White on the texture = Fully transparent.
100% Black on the texture = Fully opaque.

Please support reasonably realistic architectural materials. I don't expect blurry refraction effects, or even dispersion effects, but basic support for opacity maps along with diffuse color maps in the glass material is urgently needed. The example image you provided is inverted from reality. The frosted/opaque glass is typically whiter/brighter, not darker/blacker than clear glass.

[Morten]

Hi Darbo, you are not the first and you will not be the last to request this; as far as I have been informed by the developers, it is currently not possible to improve the way transparency works in Lumion (Remember to post requests for new features in the Wish List section so that they will be read by the right people).

[darbo]

Thanks Morten! I'll also add a post in the wishlist forum per your suggestion.

[Morten]

Good stuff, thanks for that.