Sort (Material global keyword)

Description

Changes the “screen layer” a material is drawn in. This global keyword is mainly used to correct issues with transparent materials.

Such issues become clear when one material furthest away from the viewer is still drawn on top of a transparent material which is closer in distance. Modifying the sorting order resolves this by changing the order in which materials are drawn on the screen.

Usage

In the global section of your material shader type…

sort <order>

Parameters

• <order> - Defines in which “layer” the material should be when sorted.

Order types

subview
Always drawn first with any other material drawn on top.

opaque
Default sort order for opaque textures.

decal
Obviously used for decals. (Default for transparant textures?)

far medium close almostNearest
The above 4 orders still leave room to shuffle materials around when materials draw on top of each other. (Some of these could be used in common model materials)

nearest
Used for gun flares and other stuff very close to the player.

postProcess
Highest layer, normally only used for postProcess materials and programs.

Notes

None.