First let me start by saying I love rendering with Houdini.


I am sort of new and I always use the default materials , but I came across a problem :


How do you apply a texture with alpha? (like a layer)


How do you apply a texture which has alpha/transparency , but that makes the background object appear. ex: to make a grid (texture based) with holes that show the object in the background . Or like a computer grill/ vents.


Any help is appreciated.

Use a Mantra Surface material and use your alpha map in the opacity tab.
You'll probably have to use raytraced shadows for this to work properly.

Cheers

Thanks!

By the way here is how I did the 1st q