Render a solid "on top" from behind another solid

I have a 3D model of essentially a barrel. There are many solid objects sitting inside the barrel. What I'm trying to do is make all of these objects viewable, despite the fact that they are out of view (behind the barrel walls).

Is there a way to force an object to render, despite the fact that it would otherwise be hidden from view?

I've tried making the barrel itself transparent, but it then becomes too hard to see the barrel. If there's a way to allow the other objects to be rendered while keeping the barrel opaque, that's what I'm looking for.

What version of Autocad are you running?

Please update your profile.

Try experimenting with clipping planes. Check your Autocad help files for information on how they work.

What version of Autocad are you running?

Please update your profile.

 

Try experimenting with clipping planes. Check your Autocad help files for information on how they work.

AutoCAD 2008, sorry, profile has been updated. I'll look up clipping planes, thanks for the tip.

"X RAY view" is kinda what I'm looking for, if that clarifies my initial (confusing) post.

See, I need the reverse of this. I have shelving units that have wood on the faces but from the back the shelves show through the solid object. I am modifying someone elses drawing too.

so you need something like this? this render was done in Solidworks. Im not sure if you can change just the transparency of an object but you can certainly apply a glass material to the barrel. You can tint the glass so the color is close to that of the barrel to give a the feel you are looking for.

We use a process called ghosting to do something like your are talking about.

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15509&highlight=ghosting

I would think that the transparency route would be the easiest with a little trail and error. -David