Is there a 3ds max fur tutorial?

Slash0x

I have made models for some games for awhile now. Now I would like to make something realistic this time, but I need to know if anyone knew a good few fur tutorials for wolf like character for 3d Studio Max.

Thanks in advance,
[Slash0x]

almighty_gir

im gonna guess the best way would be to use alphamapped planes in strategic points on the model...

MoP

This should be in the 2d/3d Discussion forum, not Pimping & Previews. Moving.

Slash0x

Sorry for putting it in the wrong category. I was tired last night, lol.

Wouldn't placing alphamapped planes in strategic points on the model be a pain in the arse? Is that how someone professional would do it?

doc rob

Fur is just about the hardest thing you can attempt to do on a low poly character. 'pain in the arse' is an understatement. For some examples of shader-based techniques search for screenshots of Black and White 2 and Conker's Bad Fur Day.

Eric Chadwick

Microsoft has done some research on real-time fur.
http://www.research.microsoft.com/graphics/realtime_fur.asp
http://research.microsoft.com/~hoppe/#fur (playable demo)
http://developer.nvidia.com/object/cg_effects_explained.html#Grass%20Rendering

This may work great in a demo, but it isn't very performance-friendly in a game level, where you have other things going on. Might give you some ideas though.

Slash0x

I wasn't refering to just low poly. High poly is fine too. I know that if I wanted to do what I'm looking for, it wouldn't be game performance friendly, but I would like to know how people would do this if they wanted to.
Perhaps, if I asked, how would you guys would do it yourself (high or low poly, doesn't matter)?

Thanks,
[Slash0x]

Eric Chadwick

Apparently Ornatrix is very popular.

Slash0x

Well, it works for me to some extent. I did the tutorials they have and mine doesn't work still. I see the hairs, but not the shiny hair look, just black. What could I be doing wrong?

Is it possible for me to see an *.max file that has a working hair render? I've just been testing with a sphere. :P

Thank for your time, but you are really helping me out big time.
[Slash0x]

Eric Chadwick

Email the makers? Do they have a forum? I haven't used it myself. You might also check out Shag:Hair.

FatAssasin

Shag:Hair is now hairFX. I've used it and it works pretty good. I also tried Ornatrix back when it was free, but it was too buggy to really tell if it's any good. I haven't tried it recently, but I'm guessing you need to set up the material correctly to get the shiny look. I'd be surprised if they didn't have a forum where you could get some answers.

I've also seen some tests done with Particle Flow to make fur. It can look good, but could potentially take forever to render because it's using instanced mesh objects as opposed to an atmospheric effect.

Slash0x

I almost forgot to thank you all for helping me out.

I was referenced to ask my questions here and you guys did not fail.

Thanks,
[Slash0x]