Translucency

Translucency is what happens when one can see through an object, but sees that object as well, such as with a stained glass window. There are several methods of achieving translucency with computer graphics, the most popular is alpha blending. Using 32 bit color, only 24 bits are needed for the actual color data. The other 8 bits can be used as an alpha channel. As such, there are 256 possible translucency values. This can range from completely transparent to completely solid. If a sprite or polyobject's texture has a translucent alpha value, it will blend in with the object behind it.