How to create layered blended textures from meshe?

[GGrimReaper]

Hello Guys,

 

I need some help modifying a meshe (star.nif). I am working on Night Sky overlay project. I would like to add an extra overlay to display a static busted moon on the top of existing nebulas + skystars.

 

I sucessfully created a Nitristrip to display the new overlay. Problem is that blending do occur even if i do not include NIAlpha propertie to the strip. I have tried tweaking alha setting from NiMaterialProperty, tried changing ambiant, diffuse, specular and emmissive colors but nothing, blending still occurs and i can see "stars" from skystars.dds through this busted moon....

 

I then changed main skystars.dds from dxt5 to dxt1 format ( removing alpha channel) , thinking it was responsible for this non expected blending. No changes

After that i removed NIAlphaProperty from skystars.dds... Nothing

Then i did the same with new busted moon overlay and ... Nothing

Reverted back to original meshe settings and tried to modify flags and threshold in the NIAlphaProperty...Nothing, no changes, blending occurs

 

I tried all possible setting in NIMaterialProperty for both files and ... Nothing of course...

 

I am sure there is a problem with new moon overlay texture : i realized that it has to have an alpha channel as 90% of the texture is transparent...

 

So, how can i make this overlay last such that it displays on the top of everything.

 

I am a newb, i just know the basics with nifscope (add properties, move/copy/remove branches, change some properties, modify flags....). I can understand the basics on how this works but masks and alpha blending is still very much obscur: I need help !

 

I am sure this is nothing for some experienced modder, but hey, we have to start at some point and learn things to do by ourselves : )

 

 

 

 

[SunlitEarth]

Hmm, could it be your normals, maybe?

If you right click on the moon mesh in nifskope, then select Mesh > Face Normals (or maybe try Mesh > Smooth Normals), does it change anything at all?

Sorry if this doesn't help it, I'm not an expert either haha

Edit: Also, have you made sure your alpha channel in the texture is fully white? If you want your object to be opaque, it should be white

Edited May 5, 2020 by Pipistrello

[GGrimReaper]

Thx for helping ! ... i did try your recommendations and it didn't change anything. Nevermind , i kind of cheated and made a "little" hole in the nightsky, by removing a few stars. I could fit the moon in it and it is hardly noticeable because of texture stripping and overlapping. Result is nice, better then vanilla sky.

I am now working on various nebulas and optional templates. Will soon release the mod. People will be able to compose their own night sky overhaul.

 

Thx again for your help.