NVIDIA TurfEffects renders footsteps in the grass (video)

NVIDIA previews Turf Effects, a new video game technology for rendering massive grass simulations with physical interaction. Using NVIDIA's grass technology, grass blades can be rendered with a resolution from 3 triangles to several 100 triangles per blade using continuous level of detail.

The technique supports natural shading with correct shadows from the individual blades of grass as well as self-shadows, two sided lighting and correct occlusion for scene geometry. Additionally, Turf Effects allows for interaction with complex shapes, enabling new kinds of gameplay.

When this technique is implemented in games, you'll be able to see footprints in grass, allowing you to track and hunt opponents by following their trail.

NVIDIA Turf Effects is a new NVIDIA GameWorks technology which empowers users to simulate and render massive grass simulation with physical interaction. Our grass technology provides a fully geometrical representation. Grass blades can be represented with a resolution as low as 3 triangles to several 100 triangles per blade by using continuous level of detail. This allows millions of grass blades to be simulated.