# Semi-transparent particles

Semi-transparent particles

Particles can be made semi-transparent by setting the `Transparency` particle property. A `Transparency` value of 0 lets a particle appear fully opaque, while any value between 0 and 1 lets it appear translucent.

The easiest method of setting the `Transparency` property is by using the Compute property modifier. In the example here, a simple math formula was used to set the `Transparency` property of particles depending on their position:

       ReducedPosition.X

The expression `ReducedPosition.X` evaluates to a particle's X position in reduced coordinates, which varies between 0 to 1 from one side of the simulation box to the other. When assigning the computed values to the `Transparency` property, particles on the left appear fully opaque while particles on the right side of the simulation box become fully transparent.

You can make just the selected particles transparent by checking the Compute only for selected particles option in the Compute property modifier.

Note: The current program version cannot display particles with cylindrical or spherocylindrical shape that are semi-transparent. These aspherical particles will always appear fully opaque.