Split Parts in TSM


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Splitting Parts for Alpha Textures in TSM

 Copyright © 2004  Bill Hall

A Port City Car Co. Project

Semi Transparent (translucent) Alpha textures require some thought when assigning properties in TSM. If these "rules" are not followed, when you look through the Alpha surface from the outside - you loose the other objects. (We call this "x-ray vision"). Remember that Outside surfaces must be AlphNorm+ and inside surfaces must be AlphNorm-. NO EXCEPTIONS 

OK, so here's how (I do it, anyway...): 

1. Select your part as usual

 2. Click on the "Triangle" it will put you in the "Poly Mode"

3. This will produce an outline of one poly (Look carefully at the lower left side of polygon in illustration - its hard to see)

 

4. Press the SPACE bar to highlight this one poly

 

5. Press the Left or Right arrows and select another poly that part of the object your splitting - the again hit the SPACE bar

 This will mark another poly... (now you have 2).

 

6. Keep this process going until you have selected the entire object you want split. In this case I'm only selecting one face.

 

7. Check in the other "Quadrants" to make sure your highlighting all the necessary poly's. If you screw it up, just click again on the poly to un-select it.

  

8. Now click on "Split Part"

9. And only your selection is "split off"  - Cool eh?

 

10. OK.. Well done..! Now select the "box icon" beside that triangle. This will place you back in the default "Part Mode"

11. Now you have of course, a new part. Rename it, and assign the appropriate AlphNorm (+ or -)

 

12. Do the same with the other side.

 

13. Now you can highlight both these parts, and move them collectively as you wish, but I wouldn't suggest reassembling as one part. - You will likely loose your Alpha properties... (But your going to try it anyway.. right?)

 

Bill