I don’t know about you, but I totally did ask for this. And by this, I mean a long, flowing mane of glorious hair that makes the ladies flock to me. Hair in video games have always been tricky to master. SO tricky in fact, that most characters have military grade haircuts or ponytails that help keep processing to a minimum. There is one bit of tech out there that is genuinely trying to make video game hair a reality, and it happens to be AMD’s Tress FX. Technology that has evolved, and will be augmented in Deus Ex Universe.
Over at GDC 2015, Engineers from Eidos and AMD will discuss the new TressFX technology and how it’ll be implemented into the Dawn engine that powers that game. Here’s the synopsis of the talk that will be given at GDC 2015:
In this talk, engineers from Eidos and AMD detail the TressFX 3.0 solution used in Dawn Engine which will be the cornerstone to the development of the Deus Ex Universe projects at the studio. We show how Eidos graphics engineers built upon TressFX to break new grounds and deliver a realistic and scalable hair solution in the Dawn Engine for PC and consoles. With a focus on game requirements such as artistic control and animation support this talk will cover the practical considerations of a full TressFX pipeline, from authoring to rendering.
In addition, for simulation, we address topics such as collisions, shape preservation, stretching, and wind. For rendering, we discuss how to blend strands with traditional hair meshes, antialiasing solutions, and translucency sorting techniques. We will also cover the latest TressFX 3.0 advancements from AMD, including skinning and fur support, an open source Maya plugin, and new rendering options for optimum scalability.
It sounds trivial, but proper hair in video games is an important subject matter, dammit. The last game to really use the TressFX technology properly, was Tomb Raider on PC and later on console with the Definitive Edition. For me, that gives games an extra edge in the visuals department, something that makes them stand out. Graphics aren’t everything, but if I don’t get a long-haired cyborg in Deus Ex Universe, I’m going to be plenty disappointed.
Last Updated: February 10, 2015
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 10, 2015 at 09:07
When they finally nail TressFX the first game made that uses it to its full potential will be Hair Dressing Simulator on Steam. You know it’s true.
RinceThis
February 10, 2015 at 09:20
And you’d buy that for a $1, during the sales that is…
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 10, 2015 at 09:23
I’d argue, but I’m too busy making myself popular in the office by mocking acupuncture & natural health products.
RinceThis
February 10, 2015 at 09:29
HAHAHA! 🙂 When you get to pilates let me know…
Rock789
February 10, 2015 at 09:33
You mean stabbing yourself (or having someone else stab you) with toothpicks all over your body doesn’t help alleviate tension and stress?! **mind blown** :p
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 10, 2015 at 09:41
“I’m going for dry-needling later.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s basically acupuncture.”
“So it’s basically bullshit.”
“No it’s not!”
“YES.”
“But it makes me feel better.”
“It’s all in your head, it does nothing, you’re wasting your money on bullshit.”
It went downhill from there.
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 10, 2015 at 09:50
Well technically acupuncture does work.
There’s proper studies and stuff that’s gone in to that stuff. I wouldn’t go personally. I hate sharp objects. But yeah. Scientifically and biologically, it does work
Mark Treloar
February 10, 2015 at 09:53
Would you go if it came with a happy ending?
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 10, 2015 at 10:43
nope
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 10, 2015 at 10:09
No. It doesn’t. It’s bullshit.
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 10, 2015 at 10:44
Yeah, gonna disagree. Acupuncture may not make you feel better emotionally, but acupuncture can and does, loosen knots in muscles. That can make you feel better physically if you have muscle problems etc
RinceThis
February 10, 2015 at 09:52
BWAHAHAHA! I can just imagine you saying ‘YES’.
Ross Woofels Mason
February 10, 2015 at 09:31
I will finally be able to create characters to match my magnificent mane and majestic beard! Oh happy days!
Captain JJ the crafter
February 10, 2015 at 10:10
Nothing can match a proper real beard. They’re almost mythical
Admiral Chief
February 10, 2015 at 09:34
Adventure Time reference FTW
Hammersteyn
February 10, 2015 at 09:41
MOAR Deus Ex damn you! So Darryn asked for long flowing hair but he cant understand our ire when Dante ends up looking like The Girl with the Dragons Tatoo’s emo brother???
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 10, 2015 at 09:44
Am I the only one who feels that TressFX does a really bad job at making hair look anywhere near “real” physics wise?
Admiral Chief
February 10, 2015 at 09:50
At least 7 locks of hair required?
Kensei Seraph
February 10, 2015 at 11:54
So then what game does a good job at making hair look “real” physics wise?
And what technology (if any and if you know) is used to achieve that look?
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 10, 2015 at 12:12
https://developer.nvidia.com/hairworks
Admiral Chief
February 10, 2015 at 09:50
I never asked for this
Admiral Chief
February 10, 2015 at 09:52
Augmented hair, bald dudes unite!
(Not me, I have glorious thick bear-pelt-like hair)
Kikmi
February 10, 2015 at 09:54
lel
Tressfx
February 10, 2015 at 10:03
http://images.gameru.net/image/direct/e70a931127.png
DJSkippy
February 10, 2015 at 11:35
That’s just Psyco…Pun intended
HvR
February 10, 2015 at 10:14
HEADER FAIL!!!!. Why you no use Geoff TresFX ad
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSY8rmSRVM4PRoD1OWeM9N0CHdEwVqMs8Al4C1Zep0Acs7ffC-R
Ghost In The Rift
February 10, 2015 at 10:17
I care about the game,just finish it dammit!!!
DJSkippy
February 10, 2015 at 11:36
Did they get the name TressFX from the shampoo called Tresemme?
Sageville
February 10, 2015 at 12:37
i approve of all Adventure Time references.