View source for Transparencies

[[image:Transparency_Tutorial_Final.jpg]]<br><br>
This tutorial is oriented to generated images with transparencies.<br>
Incendia by default doesn't support transparencies (future versions will do), but they can be done by making a three step process:
#Rendering the Opaque elements.
#Rendering the Transparent elements.
#Combining them in a graphic editor program.

The Tutorial presented here uses the [http://www.gimp.org/ The Gimp], since its a freely image composition editor.<br>
==The Opaque Elements==
This section is pretty simple, you just has to run Incendia, select a baseshape and render it:
*Run Incendia
*Go to the Baseshape Editor.
*Select the Atom Baseshape.
*Set the Iteration Depth to 4.
*Close the Baseshape Editor.
*Press the Render button.
*Once the render is clear, save the bitmap.
*''(Optional)''Save the resulting buffer.
I have included and example parameter this section: [http://www.incendia.net/Resources/Parameters/Transparency_Tutorial_I.par Transparency Tutorial Part I]<br>
And here is how it looks:<br><br>
[[image:Transparency_Tutorial_I.jpg]]<br><br>

==The Transparent Elements==
There are two possible paths ways to render the transparent elements:
*Method 1: Adding the transparent baseshapes and re-rendering the whole image.
*Method 2: Loading an already saved buffer and appending the transparent baseshape.
The second method is the faster, since you don't need to render the whole scene again.
===Method 1===
#Run Incendia.
#Load the parameter that has the solid elements.
#Open the Baseshape Editor.
#Create a new Sphere baseshape.
#Set the Iteration depth count to be the same as the solid element (the atom).
#Change the Material index to 1.
#Close the baseshape editor.
#Go the Render Tab and do the following changes:
##Select the first texture slot(#0).
##Change the Ambient Texture to black.
##Change the diffuse Texture to black.
##Set the Specular Intensity to 0.
##Change the texture slot to #1.
##Set the Ambient Texture to something crystaline (bluish color, for example).
##Set the Diffuse Texture to a texture that looks like a reflected glass.
#Render the fractal
#Once the image is clean, save it (with a different name).

===Method 2===
#Run Incendia
#Load the previous saved Buffer.
#Open the Baseshape Editor.
#Create a new Sphere baseshape.
#Set material index to 1.
#Close the Baseshape editor.
#Carefully (without changing the camera orientation), follow '''Method 1''' step #8.
#Continue the Render.
#Once its clean, save the resulting image.
<br>
<br>
I have included and example parameter this section (Method 1 or 2): [http://www.incendia.net/Resources/Parameters/Transparency_Tutorial_II.par Transparency Tutorial Part II]<br>
And here is how the final result looks:<br><br>
[[image:Transparency_Tutorial_II.jpg]]<br><br>

==Combination==
Now you have two different images, one with the opaque elements and the other with the transparent elements.
It's time to combine them:
*Run The Gimp.
*Open the Opaque element image (File->Open).
*Use The Open as a Layer option located in the File Menu to open the Transparent elements image (File->Open as a Layers..).
*Go to the Layer,Channel,Path.. window and select the Top layer.
*Change the Layer '''Mode''' from '''Normal''' to '''Screen'''
Now you will see the Transparencies.<br>
This table shows two screen captures of The Gimp elements:

<gallery caption="The Gimp Layers" widths="300px" heights="200px" perrow="2">
File:Gimp Layers.jpg|Gimp Layer Widget
File:Gimp Screen Mode.jpg|Layer Mode Screen. 
</gallery><br><br>

Here is a Gimp file (scaled down) with the changes made:[http://www.incendia.net/Resources/Parameters/Transparency_Tutorial.xcf Transparency Tutorial]<br>
The final result can be seen in the top of this page.<br><br>

==Multiple Layers==
You can use more than just one layer, if you want to add multiple transparent object. The procedure is the same as in the single layer example:
#Generate the Opaque element and render.
#Save the buffer and the image.
#Add the Transparent element.
#Change the materials and render.
#Save the image.
#Reload the buffer.
#Repeat from Step 3.

To combine multiple Transparent layers on the Gimp you can use either the Screen or the Addition layer mode.<br>
Here is an example how it looks:<br>
<gallery caption="Multiple Layers" widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4">
File:Bubble Bouket Base.jpg|Base Object
File:Bubble Bouket Layer 1.jpg|First Layer
File:Bubble Bouket Layer 2.jpg|Second Layer
File:Bubble Bouket Result.jpg|Final Result.<br>You can see it at full in my [http://www.rfractals.net/gallery/main.php/v/Special/Bubble%20Bouquet.html Rfractals.Net] Gallery.
</gallery>
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