Initial research topic ideas

Topic: Real-time hair and fur rendering for 3D characters

Issues: One of the final steps toward 'photo-realistic' characters. Very difficult to implement in real-time. Several real-time techniques currently used in games, though non give very good results. A few highly realistic techniques available, but are rarely used in games.

Practical: Investigate current techniques as used in film and games. Assess each technique for cost/benefits. See if realistic techniques can be adapted/optimised for current graphics hardware. Attempt to find optimal technique for real-time game characters.

Particle method:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_system#Snowflakes_versus_hair

http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40299

Shell and fin style method:

http://research.microsoft.com/~hoppe/fur.pdf

http://www.gamasutra.com/education/theses/20051028/sheppard_01.shtml

http://edusworld.org/ew/ficheros/2006/paginasWeb/making_of_sotc_files/