Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
With complex 3D models, it is very beneficial to make use of UVs because usually
with one image, we can provide color and texture to large areas in 3D models
avoiding the use of several materials.
We also have another benefit from creating our own textures, which is using a
texture to control how the reflections behave on a surface with the material.
Controlling the reflection with an
alpha channel
When we are creating a texture, there is also the possibility to produce an alpha
channel. So, what is an alpha channel? The alpha channel is essentially a mask
that can have a degree of opacity and specifies how the pixel's color in an image is
merged with another pixel when the two are overlaid. However, what does it mean
after all and how can it be useful for us?
An image is created by merging three channels, and each channel represents the
Red
,
Green
, and
Blue
color. This creates the image we can see and use for a material,
but we can create an additional channel, called
Alpha
, that can contain additional
information, as shown in the following screenshot:
