Surface Comb Operator
The Surface Comb operator procedurally defines the shape and flow of hair across a surface. It is built for styling large numbers of hairs at a macro level: instead of brushing individual strands, you place directional cues on the surface and a profile curve that defines how strands bend relative to it. This makes it ideal for fur on a creature, where you want broad, controllable flow over the whole body.
How it works
When you add Surface Comb, the hair immediately changes shape - bending toward the surface and pointing in a default direction. Two controls do most of the work:
- A slope profile that defines the shape of the strands as they rise from the surface.
- Sinks, which are directional markers you place on the surface to steer the flow of the hair around them.
By placing and orienting sinks, you direct hair along the surface - sweeping it around a face, parting it along a back, or funneling it toward a point.
Working interactively
Surface Comb is most powerful when you place and adjust its sinks directly in the viewport with the Surface Comb tool, watching the flow respond as you work. See Surface Comb Tool.
Targeting strands
A strand group parameter limits the comb to part of a groom, and its influence can be varied with maps and strand channels.
Related
- Surface Comb Tool - place and edit sinks interactively.
- Edit Guides Operator - hand-comb individual guides for finer control.