Sankaku Channel/x-ray

X-ray pictures allow the viewer to see through objects, such as clothing or bedsheets, while making it clear that this is a "special" view and not the actual situation. This is generally accomplished by transparency in only certain patches, or by making the object semi-transparent, so that hints of it can still be seen.

This tag does not apply to variations of a picture depicting different states of undress, unless there's some indication (like transparency) that the clothing is actually still there. These pictures of a character in exactly the same position with varying attire are another category of image (note: a tag for this may not exist yet and should probably be created).

X-ray versus cross section

In English, x-ray and cross section are used almost interchangeably to describe pictures on the Internet. Japanese does it differently, using them to differentiate between two different types of "see-through" effect. It'd be helpful to use our tags the same way, so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

X-ray images allow the viewer to see behind something, viewing what is concealed to the public. This is not to be confused with images that show what's inside something, such as an internal view of sex. Such images are cross sections.

This distinction is important, as the appeal is different; x-ray images peek through conventional concealment, while cross sections provide a "behind the scenes" view of what's happening internally.

The difference is not simply a matter of animate versus inanimate objects. For example, a character might be fucking a melon underneath the sheets. If the viewer can see through the sheets, it's an x-ray. If the viewer can see inside the melon, it's a cross section. If the viewer sees both, the image should receive both tags.

To provide another example, a picture might depict a gentleman and a lady engaged in good, old-fashioned sexual intercourse. If the guy has been made partially or fully transparent in order to provide an unobstructed view of the girl, it is an x-ray. If the image depicts what's going on inside the girl - whether in a separate inset panel or as a see-through portion of her abdomen - it's a cross section.

See also

*Cross section, for the other effect discussed above.
*An x-ray effect is often used to show some under table action.