The fur simulation middleware plugin for the Unreal Engine 4 by development studio Neoglypic Entertainment has recently been updated. The studio sent out word that NeoFur 2.0 is currently available and it brings with it a number of new features.

NeoFur, as described above, is a plugin that allows developers to generate fur for their projects. This may not sound like much, but this applies to a wide range of assets. You can make fur for animals, fur for objects, even fur for things like carpet or clothing.

What’s more is that it’s not just static meshes, you can actually generate fur that moves and reacts to the environment, including simulating physics for movement, bend and rotation.

The newest update for the middleware includes more options and updated optimizations, especially for CPU simulation and rendering for platforms that rely more on the CPU than the GPU, such as HTML 5, mobile devices and lower-end machines without a high-end GPU. You can check out the new trailer covering some of the new features for NeoFur below.

The trailer shows off some updated fur for characters, as well as some of the new content for furniture and accessories, such as a plush ottoman in the middle of the living quarters, or a furry little character wiggling around in virtual reality.

It’s not all about showcasing specialty rendering techniques, either. Some of the NeoFur 2.0 features includes utilizing the fur as moss. We see a brief clip where green fur is applied to a rock to give it that green, mossy look.

What’s more is that the fur is both physically dynamic and materially adaptive. We get to see that during various lighting conditions and simulated weather spots that the fur can be highlighted with reflective and specular lighting properties, as well as shine and gloss. This gives designers an opportunity to make fantastical looking creatures, as showcased in the trailer, or more realistic looking animals, which was also showcased in the trailer when the cat was frolicking around on the floor.

You can learn more about the upgraded features and content in NeoFur 2.0, as well as check out a tutorial video below to give you an idea of how the workflow can be implemented into your project seamlessly. For more info feel free to visit the official website.