select the part you wish to apply the transparency to select the "M" for material 1. put a dot in the transparency channel 2. click the picture texture button 3. enter the picture lab 4. load an image into the first window (this is optional and is used for color..it does not have anything to do with the transparency) 5. load a grayscale image into the second window (this is the image that will drive the transparency) 6. back in the material lab, select "blend transparency" so that objects are totally transparent do interact with light. see image luck BT