How to add image to a plane primitive keeping the background transparent

hansmolleman33

Hi

 

I have created a scene ready to render and I was wondering how do I import an image with transparent background into my scene again ?

I managed to pull it off sometime ago but I forgot how.....

 

I want the my image with transparent background imported into the scene before rendering...not for post work.  

Richard Haseltine

I would split the image - use you image editor to create a version which has white for the opaque pixels layered over black and use that as a Cutout Opacity map.

felis

I would put the wanted image in base color channel, and then make a mask (black for transparent, white for non-transparent) in the cutout oppacity channel.

hansmolleman33

Thanks for the info guys but I still dont get it,I think Im still too new to this sofware... =(

I create my plane, go to surface tab and in the Base Colour I click on Layered image editor.  This brings me a menu that I can upload my image with transparent background for the first layer, and then what ?

See attached images describing the 2 steps I mentioned 

The Blurst of Times

You need to use GIMP or some kind of photoediting software.

You don't need the LIE. Drop your image in the Diffuse Channel for the planar surface. That's it.

If there's already transparency in your image? Go into GIMP, create an Opacity map... one layer with the Diffuse map (crank brightness up and contrast up until everything you want visible is white)... then drop another layer behind that is solid black.

If no transparency, then just a magic wand select for the background color... x it all out (may need to add an alpha channel).

EDIT: (Probably a faster way to do it, but this is pretty quick.)

kyoto kid

felis said:

I would put the wanted image in base color channel, and then make a mask (black for transparent, white for non-transparent) in the cutout oppacity channel.

..I did that here, so I could use a skydome to give more depth.  I masked out the sky in the original photo in Gimp.. 

(3DL render but should work with Iray as well).

 

Greycat

Here try this