Simulating the structure and dynamics of human hair: Modelling, rendering and animation

Abstract We develop and present a new approach to modelling the characteristics of human hair, considering not only its structure, but also the control of its motion and a technique for rendering it in a realistic form. The approach includes a system for interactively defining the global positioning of the strands of hair on the head. Special attention is paid to the self shadowing of the hair. A mass/spring/hinge system is used to control a single strand's position and orientation. We demonstrate that this approach results in a believable rendition of the hair and its dynamics.