Sprite occlusion using raycaster - works but not performant

[PavelBoytchev]

Would this idea work for you (no raycasting):
https://codepen.io/boytchev/pen/QWJOBrL

The full discussion is here:

A better method for rendering sprites semi-opaque when behind a model?

I am looking to set sprites into a semi-opaque state when they’re behind a model. I have (a very slow) method which compares the distance from the camera to each sprite in the scene vs the distance from the camera to the model intersection (using the raycaster) to change the opacity of the sprites. If the sprite distance is shorter than the model distance, the sprite stays fully visible, otherwise the sprite is made sightly transparent because the model is closer in the line-of-sight. This meth…