When I use a mdl model with a tga image with mask, the model has visualization problems. It looks like a model with the normals inverted.
I do the model in MAX an convert it to mdl with the max2mdl plugin.
Anyone knows the cause and the solution ?
Thanks in advance.

Martin

The cause is when using a transparency TGA on a model all of the model gets rendered at the same level.

You can:

A) Don't use transparency in the TGA, have your transparent areas as black and then set your entity to OVERLAY.

B) Use two models and attach them togather (ie. semi-transparent hair model attached to a non-transparent human model).

Actually the whole point of an alpha channel is so that you don't have to resort to such tricks; with an alpha channel you can make some parts transparent and others completely opaque.

There are bugs exporting a model with alpha information from 3D Studio Max. What you should do is export the model without an alpha channel (just throw on a temporary texture) and then in MED import the real texture (ie. with an alpha channel.)

Note that I am not sure this will solve your problem but this may help. If that doesn't work you should describe the problem better. And if possible post screenshots to show the model.

I'm pretty sure it depends which version you're using. At least when I got 3DGS Standard all it could do was simple (1 level) transparency.

I have commercial edition and the same problem, and don't export the stuff from 3dsmax. To solve it I use Cellulaer [Noah]'s B) option at the moment. I posted about it in Advanced Model/level Editing but I assume people couldn't figure what the hell I was talking about(probably due to lots worse wording than yours ).