topic Re: Suggestions for simple fur in Maya Dynamics Forum

Suggestions for simple fur

Parmenides — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:36:47 GMT

Looking for a simpler solution for creating fur. Using other programs it has been pretty straightforward. In Maya I have yet to find a decent tutorial video that shows specifically how to do it. Xgen is difficult to figure out with the necessary scripts and Ptex conversions needed. I have tried Daryl Obert's video but it is 4 years old and things have changed since then (as many in the comments have noticed) and the workflow breaks down.

I am open to other hair/solutions but Ornatrix doesn't work with Mental Ray, Yeti isn't available in the US and Shave and a Haircut costs more than Maya. Any up to date tutorials or alternate suggestions fur would be appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Suggestions for simple fur

reniferziolo — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:43:00 GMT

Is it right to assume you tried interactive grooming? It's pretty straight forward and easy to use- combining masking and some handy work

Re: Suggestions for simple fur

Parmenides — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:48:48 GMT

Yes, thanks I have tried the interactive grooming. That is straightforward. Say you have a model of an animal that has been UV'd and textured. The issues arise when trying to render the hair as the same color as the texture. I have spent days on this. Apparently Xgen uses Ptex but it isn't clear how you are supposed to convert to that. People mention ZBrush or Mudbox but not HOW.

Re: Suggestions for simple fur

reniferziolo — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 03:07:43 GMT

How about this?
https://youtu.be/EPyrEBmYL8Q

Re: Suggestions for simple fur

Parmenides — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 07:10:40 GMT

Thanks for the video link Renifer, I have gone through that video many times and followed every step including the part where you map the ptex file to the UV'd file. Still don't get anything remotely like hair or fur. Perhaps something major has changed since Maya 2016? These on the right were rendered in Mental Ray exactly as described in the video. Just get long planes, it doesn't even seem to recognize the tapering. Also doesn't look round as hair would. This shouldn't be anywhere near this complicated.

Re: Suggestions for simple fur

reniferziolo — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:12:13 GMT

I never got issues like this, but then again I worked with human hair only and rendered them with v-ray and that looked pretty neat. I would suggest commenting on one of the autodesk learning channel youtube video regarding the subject. I did that regarding some bitfrost and rigging issues, they were quick and succesful with helping me. Do you mind posting your file here, I could try on my end too and let you know if find anything.

p.s Nope , Xgen hair in general is nowhere near easy

Re: Suggestions for simple fur

Parmenides — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 22:13:57 GMT

I am getting better results with different settings and lighting. I can see how this would look good for human hair and other objects that are far from the camera. So far though, it appears that for closeups like insects, XGen is not suitable because of the way it uses 'cards' or 'billboards' that turn with the camera view instead of meshes. Maybe there is a way to use your own mesh, I will keep digging and see if I find something. Thanks for your help. -Derryl