Horrible FSX Virtual Cockpit Transparency issue...

[Fizznfire12]

Hey guys, this problem has forced me back to fs2004. Simply put, the glass textures in 90% of my addon planes are non- transparent in the virtual cockpit. It only occurs on addon aircraft... And basically, i cannot see out of the cockpit. I have not had this problem before, and i'm thinking it has to do with Acceleration. Here's a few pics i took while in Kirk Olsson's F-1. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP! Thanks iin advance!

[Daube]

Hello,

I recommend you to read the FAQ.
It will teach you how to solve this problem, as well as how to remove the black band at the bottom of your screen.

[idahosurge]

Read the tread in this FSX forum subject line "FSX (Accleeration) F-16? and you will probably find the answer to your problem.  As of this post the tread was within the top 15 on the list.

Rod

[BFMF]

Hey guys, this problem has forced me back to fs2004. Simply put, the glass textures in 90% of my addon planes are non- transparent in the virtual cockpit. It only occurs on addon aircraft...

First off, you need to realize that most older aircraft will not work properly in FSX/SP2. It's just the way life is. Yes, there are things we can work around with, but not everything can be fixed

Second, linking to images on other sites is a big no no here...

[Alejandro Rhodes]

That's the REFLEX map ,who's causing this ,do you mind to link it to see if it is your video card?

BTW what video card are you using ?

[Fizznfire12]

Ok, after looking around i have inverted my alpha channel, and it worked! So thanks guys, i'll update this if i have any problems!

[gtirob01]

What, where and how do you change the alpha channel? is that where you have to get the DXTBmp? Just wondering so I can go ahead and make some changes. My Tornado also has the blacked out vc.

[Daube]

You are right, you have to get DXTBMP. This utility works like paint, you can open the texture files with it. It show the main texture in the center, and the corresponding Alpha Channel on the side. From there, you have some menu options to modify this Alpha Channel, or send it to a real picture editor (of your choice).

In the typical example, the Alpha Channel is set to White, which mean transparent in FS9 (and in FSX and FSX SP1 as well if I remember well), but opaque in FSX SP2. The simple step you have to do is to "invert" the Alpha channel, there's a menu option for that. It will turn to black the Alpha Channel, and you texture will become transparent.

[gtirob01]

You are right, you have to get DXTBMP. This utility works like paint, you can open the texture files with it. It show the main texture in the center, and the corresponding Alpha Channel on the side. From there, you have some menu options to modify this Alpha Channel, or send it to a real picture editor (of your choice).

In the typical example, the Alpha Channel is set to White, which mean transparent in FS9 (and in FSX and FSX SP1 as well if I remember well), but opaque in FSX SP2. The simple step you have to do is to "invert" the Alpha channel, there's a menu option for that. It will turn to black the Alpha Channel, and you texture will become transparent.

Awesome thanks! I will give it a go. Have a few vc's to try to repair, and some prop textures that need fixing as well!

This is all in the aircraft.cfg right?

[BFMF]

This is all in the aircraft.cfg right?

no, you need to go into the texture folder for the aircraft, and edit the offending texture file

[Fizznfire12]

Ok, i have fixed it in most of my planes, but there's two things i cannot figure out how to do:

1. Make the glass still visible instead of non- existent when you invert the alpha channel

2. I cannot find the glass texture name for the F1...

[Fr. Bill]

Ok, i have fixed it in most of my planes, but there's two things i cannot figure out how to do:

1. Make the glass still visible instead of non- existent when you invert the alpha channel

2. I cannot find the glass texture name for the F1...

There typically isn't one for pre-FSX aircraft...

...and before anyone asks, no you cannot "add" one either!  ;D

[gtirob01]

This is all in the aircraft.cfg right?

no, you need to go into the texture folder for the aircraft, and edit the offending texture file

Gotcha. Will do. Thanks

[Daube]

Ok, i have fixed it in most of my planes, but there's two things i cannot figure out how to do:

1. Make the glass still visible instead of non- existent when you invert the alpha channel

2. I cannot find the glass texture name for the F1...

A totally black Alpha channel means totally transparent. Try to make an Alpha Channel that would be, like, dark grey

For 2, verify that DXTBMP is not filtering only the BMP files. Check that you are also displaying the DDS textures.