Alpha mapping

Alpha mapping or transparency mapping is a technique in 3D computer graphics involving the use of texture mapping to designate the amount of transparency/translucency of areas in a certain object.^[1][2]

Alpha mapping is used when the given object's transparency is not consistent: when the transparency amount is not the same for the entire object and/or when the object is not entirely transparent.^[1] If the object has the same level of transparency everywhere, one can either use a solid-color alpha texture or an integer value.^{[citation needed]}

The alpha map is often encoded in the alpha channel of an RGBA texture used for coloring, but can also exist as a standalone greyscale or coloured texture.^[1][2] An alpha map is often used in conjunction with a textured flat surface as part of billboarding.^[1]

See also

• Mask (computing) § Image masks