Cineversity

Hi Dr. Sassi, long time, how are you? I’d like to create an effect, but do not know how, or if it is even possible. Can I have one texture for the outside of a model, the outside/normal facing side, and another for the inside/reverse normals. If this is not possible, then, if I am using a sphere with one color, can I make the front half that is facing the camera, to slowly become invisible to the camera, and still retain the back half?,if I can do that, I’d like to add a material to the inside , but if the normals are in reverse, then not possible, I am assuming,  please let me know, and thank you for your time Craig

Hi Craig,

I’m fine, thanks for asking, I hope you are doing fine as well.

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Typically, the “Texture Tag” has an option “Back, Front or Both”. I assume you that know this, and your question is based on something more advanced.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/PirNVhzT9vv2Y8h3yBOQiuC18k8lwDOjEP7AfIJ1Huh?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy
Perhaps render first and last image, to see the effect.

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The “Normal Direction” Shader will do that for you.

I have attached three scene files, how a typical use could be.

The second file illustrate the use of a sphere, as I understood your request.

All the best

Use of the Normal Direction Shader inside of a Layer Shader
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/G4B3pvL96N3s6iMwFvnVwCiU2FSNxHyRa5AG9cE43Eh?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy
Applied to a sphere, animated, so please press play
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/05dOo9iFxgCWz8mTmRDCLTO0KI1XenHlj7g3Nl4ZLLk?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy
Both mixed, with a little hint about reflections.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/L0gFrHliequN7z2mPnbdTkpNcSRIgN4TOImSjVkweRb?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

P.S.: I would like to add an alternative, perhaps not needed, but in hope that you can pick what suits you best.

There is the option to set up an Gradient for this. In my example a 3D gradient and the “space” is set to camera. Perhaps “Object” or “World”, etc would make more sense in different situations. Let me know if there is any question.

The key point that I like to add here is based on the idea of reflections and such. With the gradient the effect is the same, with the Normal Direction Shader, the transparency shows up also from other “perspectives, e.g., by looking into a mirror.

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/OX1McGbhmetykJmY420eOSj9POUzZUQd8SiqEqNEOto?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

If nothing works for your project, perhaps use materials/texture tags with Poly selections. Just a thought. :o)