Hey all!

This morning again, I came across a very familiar problem, that typically doesn't bother me, but today it really did bug me and it is an outline that forms when you use transparency in Blender Render. It looks like this:


The reason for this, I don't know, but I do know when it does it; when using Z-Transparency. Usually the fastest method and compatible with the mist feature, it does have it's greatest draw-back in that it creates that weird outline. In certain compositing situations, it really is just a deal breaker for a good result, so I tried switching to RayTrace after some prompting of the HOLY SPIRIT and what do you know, problem solved! No more outlines. Now, RayTrace is a slower form of transparency and does not have the compatibility with the mist feature, but I would take compositing difficulty over render difficulty for the simple reason that what I wanted to do, was do-able in the compositor, but not in 3D directly and so RayTrace was the better choice.

I would strongly suggest that when you can use Z-Transparency, to do so, because of it's speed, but if you can't, use RayTrace. I thought there was no difference, except that one allowed distortion of light coming through it, but no, there is more to it, as you can see above.

So to end this quick tip, I leave you with this: Use whatever is best and quickest for your scene; don't fall for the "we'll fix it in post" syndrome - some things you just can't reasonably or practically fix in post.

Do you know JESUS yet?

Have a great one!!
GOD bless you!