Computer Animated Blondes Have More Fun

Reported December 2007

ITHACA, N.Y. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Lots of movies use computer-aided graphics to make non-real characters look realistic. But making realistic hair is still a challenge for Hollywood. Computers easily help make fake characters look real. But, it turns out, making realistic blonde hair, is one of the hardest things to create in movies.

"The kind of problem that we’ve been looking at, is how to simulate light that reflects from hair to hair to hair that’s responsible for that sort of glow or soft look of light colored hair," Steve Marschner, Ph.D., Computer Scientist at Cornell University said.

Now, computer scientists at Cornell University have developed a way to give animated blondes real life looking hair.

"You see the right kinds of highlights, you see them in the right places, moving in the right ways, and also you get the right soft appearance," Dr. Marschner said.

Blonde hair doesn’t absorb much light, so most hair ends up as several shades of blonde -- a process the new method easily recreates.

"It is basically a tool for measuring light reflection," Dr. Marschner said.

A computer program charts out light rays traveling around a hair sample. Then, it maps out where the light landed inside the hair, and determines where and how much light goes into the final image. A process made faster and more realistic than ever.

"Our hair model has become probably the most often used tool for rendering hair in, in applications where it has to be very realistic," Dr. Marschner said.

Used also for very real non-blondes -- like a hairy, life-like King Kong.

The Optical Society of America contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Dr. Steve Marschner
Computer Scientist
Cornell University
(607) 225-8367
srm@cs.cornell.edu

To find out more about light and its properties:

Optical Society of America
(202) 223-8130
http://www.osa.org
info@osa.org

For Parkinson's sufferers, walking can be a rocky road, but these new glasses are helping patients regain a smooth stride.

Whether it's watching movies and eating popcorn or having a snack while you're sitting at your desk, find out why we often eat out of habit, not hunger.

No person can read minds; but this machine can! Take a look at this new technology that is able to map out exactly how your baby's brain is working.

This tiny device is helping forecasters get up-to-date weather information straight from the sky.

Cars going on autopilot … with no drivers! These futuristic vehicles are taking the term backseat driver to a whole new meaning.

Moving towards the future is a race this robot is willing to run, and fast! Life-like joints, and a learning memory give Runbot a leg-up on his competition.

What's the tree population of your city? Chances are it should be growing. This new system is making it easy to keep track of trees.

Love the look of a freshly painted room but hate dealing with the smell? This new paint formula takes the odor out of the job.

Science may be the last thing on your mind as you guzzle a beer, but once you know the physics of what's happening as you drink, you may appreciate your next brew even more.

Whether you're a nautical fanatic or just planning your next beachfront vacation, these sailing tips will have you hitting the high seas like a pro.

Computer scientists have found a way to create a perfect head of blonde cyber-hair. Find out why digital blonde highlights require a special stylist.

Here's a scientific term for you: stuff. What is it? It's all around, and this traveling showcase is teaching kids and adults the importance of studying their stuff.