[mojo]

hi,

is it possible to create a metal-grid with an alpha map, which has a thickness, lets say 0,5 cm ?

[m-Que]

Well, you can use displacement to get thickness effect when applying MXM to a plane.
But I'm not quite sure what you're after.
An example would be nice (reference photo).

[mojo]

http://www.primatech.at/uploads/pics/ri ... hblech.jpg

something like in this reference foto would be nice....
With displacement, the benchmark of my scene is too slow...

[JTB]

very thin box, not plane... and alpha map

[polynurb]

depending on how complex the shape of the grid is, you could model&tile it and use instances for the elements.
i am just using that technique now on a metal grid ceiling, cause i need the thickness to be modeled for the light to reflect on..