New: All Edit Guides brushes moved to their own brush contexts
New: Edit Guides editing "multi-resolution" mode (on by default), allowing non-destructive changes to input strand structure
New: 4d noise operator
New: WIP AI animator operator
New: Smooth surface mesh operator (with OpenSubDiv)
New: Surface dependencies are stored using minimal parametric coordinates depending on face vertex counts
New: Draw strands tool with ability to edit existing strands
New: Strand groups can be specified as patterns, with multiple groups per strand
New: Strand groups can be used as hair parts (on by default)
New: Guide proximity mode in Hair from Guides on by default, barycentric interpolation on by default
New: Create/spray hair brush
New: Delete hair brush
New: Strand channel export for Arnold translator
Numerous other fixes and improvements

Marsel Khadiyev (Software Developer, EPHERE Inc.)