PNG Alpha Transparency on Floors

[Ral22]

In my usage of 3-d platforms, I've come to realize that the floor and ceiling textures of a platform do not support PNG alpha transparency. I only find this odd because PNG alpha transparency is recognized by wall textures, be it a mid-texture or the side of a 3-d platform. Shouldn't a 3-d platform be able to support a floor/ceiling texture with PNG alpha transparency? I'm aware the effect can somewhat be achieved using Additive rendering, but it does not achieve the same look. Is there a reason for no support on this, perhaps too costly on the render or too difficult to program?

I suppose I am more curious if people are aware that PNG alpha transparency is not supported and whether it could be fixed or not.

[Mr.Rocket]

My guess is that they don't need to for compatibility.
Both compatibility being a flat/floor texture. which may show up strange in software even if the texture may contain alpha channel. ~ mainly because it's a flat?
And that normal translucent 3d floors allow for 0-255-6? transparency properties. ~ which doesn't require the texture to have transparent properties.

[Ral22]

While I am aware that applying a floor/ceiling texture with PNG alpha transparency on normal floor/ceiling geometry would cause bizarre results, I mean most of this towards 3-d platforms, but seeing it applied to floors/ceilings between upper/lower sectors would be nice as well.

Now, I'm well aware that 3-d platforms have the ability to have set alpha for the entirety of said platform, but I am speaking solely of the textures on that platform.

I first came across the issue when I wanted to apply a gradual transition from sand to tiles. So, I created a sector with tiles in it and placed a platform on top with this texture as the platform's ceiling texture:

However, it didn't render properly, and the areas with the alpha transparency didn't render at all (Only the solid areas of the texture were visible).

I hope I make myself a little more clear, but I can explain even more so if need be.

[Nash]

Yeah it doesn't work, I tried to do texture transitions like you and failed. :(

[Mr.Rocket]

I suppose if all else fails, you might be able to setup a number of transparent 3dfloor sectors from solid to translucent for a gradient effect?

[Nash]

See this for the 3-d floor gradient trick:

http://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=35630

[Ral22]

While that would work, it requires a boat-load of 3-d platforms and that massive amount would start becoming taxing on the system. There are more uses for alpha PNG textures, but the transition was just one example. I wanted to try and do the same thing for clouds in the sky, but it couldn't work either.