Alpha mapping
Encyclopedia
Alpha mapping is a technique in 3D computer graphics
where an image is mapped (assigned) to a 3D object, and designates certain areas of the object to be transparent or translucent
. The transparency can vary in strength, based on the image texture, which can be greyscale, or the alpha channel of an RGBA image texture.
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
where an image is mapped (assigned) to a 3D object, and designates certain areas of the object to be transparent or translucent
Transparency and translucency
In the field of optics, transparency is the physical property of allowing light to pass through a material; translucency only allows light to pass through diffusely. The opposite property is opacity...
. The transparency can vary in strength, based on the image texture, which can be greyscale, or the alpha channel of an RGBA image texture.