Version 0.7 Last Modified 29th July 2002

ASE tool command line switches -ali and -morph

If you do not use either -ali or -morph in your command line you will *not* enable features such as modifiable ENV mapping characteristics, modifiable transparency, surface properties, double sided polygons, invisibility, 'additive transparency', and 'no collision'.  Therefore it may be a good idea to try and understand at least one of these swithces. 

Using ASE2PRM or ASE2W without these switches still allows Multiple Objects, Multiple Bitmaps, and Vertex Colors so you can concern yourself with them depending on what you want to do.

-ali fetches transparency information for a polygon from the opacity value of the material applied to it.  You can make all different levels of transparency using -ali, but every transparency requires its own material, -ali also forces the additional smoothing group definitions that are listed for the -ali switch. ENV mapping character is taken from the material also.

-morph forces the smoothing group definitions which are listed for the -morph switch. -morph uses smoothing groups to assign transparency to existing materials it is not necessary to set up additional sub materials for transparencies.  Smoothing group 30 turns ENV mapping on for a polygon. Without using Smoothing group 30, ENV mapping is the disabled. In all other respects, -ali and -morph are similar.

In making the decision between -ali and -morph you have to take into consideration the benefits of complete functionality with that of speed (depending on the type of object your trying to make, -ali, or -morph may be more appropriate).  Until you really get the hang of this, its very difficult to choose the correct strategy, the only wisdom I can offer is that -morph is easier to 'understand' when your familiar with -ali, however, -morph is quicker at producing results.  My advice if your thinking this is far too complicated already is just to go for -morph should you want to use these features.  If, on the other hand your determined to make the most visually and technically stunning track possilble using just the ASE Tools, you should concentrate on -ali.  The differences in the visual result though is largely academic, your casual track driver is very unlikely to notice a difference and think "Hey this is a -morph track" or "Wow, this is an -ali track". 

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