TressFX or other hair system

[Himhoji]

When Tomb Raider 2013 came out, it had this shiny new tech named TressFX.
Since then, I only saw it in some tech demos and it only got used in three games that I know of:

• Tomb Raider 2013
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
• 逆水寒（Justice)

The Tomb Raider 2013 sequels had their own version called PureHair, which was built from TressFX.

I always asked myself why this tech wasn't in use more often.
I think it would be a huge step in graphics for Godot, if it were to be implemented.
I certainly miss something like this in my projects.

But I have little knowledge about the possibilities of implementing TressFX into Godot and how sensical that would be.
What are your thoughts about this?
I would love to have a hair system in the engine.

[AThousandShips]

This is the area for a plugin, not core, far too specific

[Himhoji]

Well, I don't know about others, but I would use it all the time.
And many creatures I saw in games made with Godot would definitly benefit from some fur.
People love themselves some fur.

But on a serious note. I really think with how many games are made with creatures or grass (or bacteria), this wouldn't be a feature used seldom.

[Himhoji]

I'm sorry, now I don't understand what you are asking me.

[AThousandShips]

Personally I think that is not very future oriented.

I said that many won't use this feature, and you said that's not future oriented, so I'm confused

[Himhoji]

Ah, we simply have a disagreement then. Because I think that a good chunk of people would use this feature.
That is why I said, that it would't be future oriented to not implement such a feature, from my perspective.

And since you don't see the point of this feature being implemented at the moment, you don't think it would be a huge loss to not implement such a feature.

Is that right?

[AThousandShips]

You are putting words in my mouth, read my comments as to why I don't think this should be added as a feature to the engine but should be as a plugin, I have not said I don't see the point of it, I very much do, please read my comments again and see what I am actually saying :)

But I will repeat them:

• Hair and gras physics is something that's complicated to get right
• It varies a lot between projects, there's no "one size fits all" solution, there's also varying levels of complexity and cost
• Not every 3D game would need this, many indie games wouldn't
• This can be served much better by a plugin, or many plugins for each type of hair or grass, for various levels of performance

[Himhoji]

By grace, I said this as reference to implementing it in or to the core. I simply asked if that was what you meant.
I wasn't putting any words in your mouth.
This is a very strange conversation.

But I appreciate your contributions and thank you for the list. It is very helpful! :D

[theraot]

I don't know the details of TressFX.

Yet, I would like to see some kind of hair/fur system in Godot. And yes, in core, as I believe it would be used often if it was just there. However, it sounds like it needs the right know how to implement and maintain. Which makes me think it is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Meanwhile, I suppose that if somebody out there - with the knowledge to implement this - is willing to put the time and effort, this feature could begin its life as a GDExtension plugin (in particular if we are talking about integrating a third party solution such as TressFX instead of something tailored for Godot).

[Calinou]

Yet, I would like to see some kind of hair/fur system in Godot.

Good old shell fur can get you pretty far: https://github.com/Arnklit/ShellFurGodot

[Himhoji]

Awesome! I didn't know there was shell fur for Godot. Good to know!