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The Atmosphere->Depth-Fading command in the Matter module allows you to realistically simulate depth-fading by creating a fog-like effect over the entire image. Depth-fading can also be animated.
When you choose the Atmosphere->Depth-Fading command, the Depth-Fading Setup dialogue box is displayed.
Depth Fading
Activates or deactivates depth-fading without cancelling the current settings.
Starting Distance
Distance from the camera to where the depth-fading starts. The value ranges from - to and is measured in grid units. You can define the grid size from the Layout dialogue box (accessed using the Layout icon in the window title bars).
Ending Distance
Distance from the camera to where the depth-fading stops. The value ranges from - to and is measured in grid units.
Transparency
Controls the maximum transparency of the fog beyond the ending distance. The value ranges from 0 (opaque) to 1 (transparent).
Colour
Colour Sliders
The colour of the fog is defined using three colour sliders. Colours can be defined by dragging the sliders, using the arrows, or entering numerical values in the text boxes. The closer an object is to the ending distance, the more it fades into the colour of the fog. The colour values range from 0 to 1. The RGB button above the sliders toggles between RGB, HLS, and HSV colour.
Palette
Displays the Palette dialogue box and provides access to the system palettes used for selecting and mixing colours. You can also define and save your own palettes.
For more information on using the palette, see Palette Operations.
mental ray
The options in the mental ray area let you define atmosphere (volume) shaders when rendering with mental ray. When you select the Shader option, the Shader dialogue box is displayed in which you can choose and activate an atmosphere (volume) shader. Atmosphere shaders are the same as the volume shaders you can access from the Material menu cell, except these shaders are associated with the space between all objects in the scene.
- Select: After you have selected the Shader option, you can always load a new shader by clicking this button. Select the shader from the database and click Load. The shader name appears in the text box below the Shader option.
If you need to search for a shader, double-click the .. (two dots) at the top of the browser and select the appropriate chapter.
- Edit: To edit the shader's parameters, click Edit, which displays the dialogue box containing the shader's parameters which you can edit.
If you want to save the shader by another name and then edit the parameters, you can modify its name in the text box in which it appears. This creates a new shader with the new name, but with the current parameters. The new shader can then be saved and recalled by name in other scenes.For a description of using shaders, see Using Shaders of the Rendering User's Guide.
Key
Allows you to set a keyframe, and closes the dialogue box. Parameters to be keyframed are displayed with a double border. Without exiting this dialogue box, you can use the time line pointer to change the current frame to set other keys.
Cancel
Cancels modifications made to the depth-fading settings since the dialogue box was opened or the last keyed value, and exits the dialogue box.
Ok
Accepts the current depth-fading settings.
Last updated 03-apr-1998