TressFX: Realistic Hair in Tomb Raider from AMD and Crystal Dynamics

As graphics have improved with gaming, the desire for more and more realism has been a driving force in technology.  One of the hardest things to model has always been realistic hair, and AMD seems to have made some progress on this front.  In conjunction with Crystal Dynamics, the two have set out to remedy this issue.  In the upcoming Tomb Raider, with her tell-tale, pulled-back hair, the team found an opportunity to advance gaming in general, all the while revitalizing the image of a classic gaming character, Lara Croft.  The outcome is quite revolutionary, both for the Tomb Raider franchise and computer gaming on a whole, utilizing the Graphics Core Next architecture.

AMD and Crystal Dynamics are on to something here, it would seem.
AMD and Crystal Dynamics are on to something here, it would seem.

What does this mean?  The answer is the first time the world has ever seen physics and hair lighting in real-time.  The simple answer is TressFX.  Each strand is a physical object, with it’s own shadow, bringing character’s to life more than ever before, starting with the reboot of the Tomb Raider series, starting with Ms. Lara Croft.

The Graphics Core Next architecture uses DirectCompute to take advantage of parallel pixel processing.  Combine this with AMD’s Order Independent Transparency, it allows for maintenance of resource-hogging amounts of pixels, as well as allowing for further complexity in the actual rendering process.

Here's one without TressFX...
Here’s one without TressFX…
...and here's one with.
…and here’s one with.

The DirectCompute component also allows for individual physics to be applied to each strand of hair in a chain, allowing them to react to external stimuli, like wind and other movement.  This is furthered by collision detection that inhibits strands from crossing through each other, equating to a realistic, physically dynamic head of hair on Lara, and of course, future characters to come.

Graphics cards that utilize Graphics Core Next are particularly proficient in this method of rendering.  This harmonious relationship between Tomb Raider’s programming structure and AMD’s hardware capabilities is just further evidence that video games will continue to get prettier and prettier.

Share this article:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on tumblr
Tumblr
Share on email
Email
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp

Recent Posts

Marvel 1943 cover art. Captaint America and Black Panther Gaming News

Get a Closer Look at the New Black Panther and Captain America Game | Marvel 1943

It’s been a while since we first got word that the great Amy Hennig was working on a new Black Panther and Captain America game. After creating something like Uncharted, …

Mad Catz Strike 11 Keyboard. A keyboard with red and black keys Hardware & Tech

Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 11 Mechanical Keyboard Impressions

I have been on the search for a decently priced wireless keyboard and there is no shortage these days. Our friends over at Mad Catz sent over their S.T.R.I.K.E. 11 …

Hardware & Tech

Level Up Your Set Up with Nanoleaf

Nanoleaf has been one of the market leaders in the gaming lighting space for years now. They have a variety of products to level up not only your office space …

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Gaming News

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and What’s Next For Xbox | Let’s Chat

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the next big game set for release and the rumor mill has been set ablaze with talks of Xbox going multi-platform. We take a few …

Gaming News

The Pimax Crystal 8K VR Headset | CES 2024

AR and VR were some of the bigger topics during this year’s CES. Last year I was able to go hands-on with the Pimax Portal but this year it was …

CES

NVIDIA Announces 40 Series Super Cards and More at CES 2024

A year can’t go by without a huge announcement from NVIDIA. During CES 2024 in Las Vegas, NVIDIA announced an upgrade to its 40 series cards. The GeForce RTX 40 …