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AMD releases TressFX 4.1, featuring optimized physics simulation shaders & new rendering features

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AMD has released a new version of its TressFX tech, TressFX 4.1. In case you were unaware of, the TressFX library is AMD’s hair/fur rendering and simulation technology. Therefore, TressFX is designed to use the GPU to simulate and render high quality realistic hair and fur.

According to the press release, TressFX 4.1 features further optimization of the physics simulation shaders. It also packs new rendering features, as well as documentation and tutorials. Not only that, but it comes with an updated TressFX Exporter for Autodesk Maya.

This release also demonstrates TressFX integration with Unreal Engine 4.22. According to AMD, this is a minimal integration to improve ease-of-use with multiple TressFX components, features, and rendering and simulation materials.

Here are the key features of TressFX.

  • Hair and fur support, designed for high quality anti-aliasing
  • Animation/skinning support
  • Unreal Engine (4.22) integration
  • TressFX/Cauldron implementation (source code)
  • Maya plugin provided for hair/fur and collision authoring

Here are also the key features of TressFX 4.1.

  • TressFX/Unreal engine integration (patch under Epic Games Unreal GitHub repository) with multiple components, rendering and simulation material support
  • TressFX/Cauldron implementation with source code (DirectX® 12 and Vulkan®)
  • Optimized physics simulation shaders can allow more hair to be simulated in real-time
  • New rendering features (StrandUV and Hair Parameter Blending)
  • New Level of Detail (LOD) system
  • Documentation and tutorials
  • Updated Maya Exporter with new UI and new features/error checking