List of items transparent to light, that filter/alter it, and that look transparent but actually block light

[Binni]

It really surprised me that Signs (on a stick) actually block light when placed directly over a lamp. I couldn't find transparency lists elsewhere so let's make our own... (I'd like to list ONLY those that are transparent to some degree, as well as those that look like they should be but aren't.) To test I simply surround a lamp with non-transparent blocks (I used red wood walls), put things on top of the lamp, then rotate them to see if all sides behave the same way. I've only tested the specific items listed so feel free to let me know about other specific items and whether they block, are transparent, or have special filtering effects.

The main purpose of this list is to help people looking for inventive ways to hide light sources besides the standard slabs & stairs. It's also to help pinpoint discrepancies between blocks of the same type such as not all roofs/slopes block light. Please note that I'm not considering sunlight as a light source for two reasons: first, it's not consistent throughout the day, and second, because some items that are completely transparent to artificial light still block sunlight & cast shadows.

These are ENTIRELY TRANSPARENT:

Slabs - Stone & Wood
Roofs/Slopes - Wood (only one confirmed so far)
Outer Corner (of Roofs/Slopes): Obsidian
Stairs - Wood, Stone, Obsidian
Leaves - Ashen, Weep, Wild, Elder, Autumnwood (Mocha & Citrus)
Chests - Wood, Grand Arctek
Flower Blocks - Yellow, Red, Blue, Weepwood
Flowers (decorative) - Tundra
Tables - Stone, Iron, Diamond, all 3 Arcteks
Logs - Weepwood
Chairs - Obsidian, Stone, Wood
Glass - Stained, Plain, Reinforced
Liquids - Water, Bog Water, Mineral Water, Molasses
Fireplace
Tallgrass
Vines
Snow
Death Statue
LEDs (all)

These FILTER OR ALTER LIGHT to some degree:

Wildwood Flower block (filters & adds orange tint)
Honey (filters)
Shattered Lumite Wall (filters)
Ice (transparent but colors the light slightly blue)

Surprisingly, these items BLOCK light but look like they should let it through:

Doors - Bungalow, Stone
Signs (the kind on a stick) - Wood
Roofs - Stone & Obsidian
Liquids - Tar
Fences - Wood

Special Notes:

- Not all Roofs block light.
- Not all flower blocks are entirely transparent


Edit: Went through & added the specific item I tested to avoid confusion.

[Jalahr]

This Hidden Lighting video may be of interest to you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBQaAt3R9pg

[Supadave]

LED blocks

[Binni]

Originally posted by Supadave:

LED blocks

I don't have any. Are they transparent or do they block?

[Supadave]

Originally posted by Binni:

Originally posted by Supadave:

LED blocks

I don't have any. Are they transparent or do they block?

They are transparent. You can put a light source behind them.

[Binni]

Originally posted by Jalahr:

This Hidden Lighting video may be of interest to you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBQaAt3R9pg

... pause to watch video....
thx by the way

Edit: Watched the video and while he says slopes block light, he actually only tests obsidian. I'd originally tested with Wood roof which IS transparent, so I tested & added stone to the list as well.

[Binni]

Originally posted by Supadave:

Originally posted by Binni:

I don't have any. Are they transparent or do they block?

They are transparent. You can put a light source behind them.

Thanks much!

[Zhando]

Snow and all three blocks of Goo will let light through too. As a sidenote, all of the 'water' liquids lets light through, but Lava, Tar, and Molasses will all block it (as far as I know at least, I don't think I tested molasses though).

[{G}{U} Bastillion {U}{G}]

Wax and Shattered Lumite Wall give off a decent amount of light with light behind them.

Can make some really nice effects this way.

[Lil Puppy]

Ice is transparent to light but alters the color to a blue shade. I use it all the time in my builds.
I believe snow is also partially transparent.

[SpaceCodet]

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=712722879

[Gigglestab McCutty]

Cool list. Thanks

[Binni]

Originally posted by SpaceCodet:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=712722879

Added a few more from this vid - Thanks

[J's]

Fences block light (if you are using them to make a grid looking ceiling for a garden or something, you'll need to leave holes or use torches for artificial light). Tested with wood fence.

[Xoff]

However, when you build something with glass or leaves, they project a shadow when under the sun, so the transparent property doesn't seem to apply to sun light, because everything seems to be blocking sun light, even almost invisible glass blocks.

[Binni]

Originally posted by Xoff:

However, when you build something with glass or leaves, they project a shadow when under the sun, so the transparent property doesn't seem to apply to sun light, because everything seems to be blocking sun light, even almost invisible glass blocks.

Hm, that's interesting. With glass blocks also casting shadows, I'm going to hope that issue is something that they're goint to have a fix for eventually. Thanks & I'll make a note of the sunlight thing.