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idea:
for example displaced grass.

instead of just displacing perfectly parallel to the surface normal, one should be able to use a normal map to define the direction into which the displacement happens. (a little tilting off the normal)

as i understand, the NORMAL (name, duh !) map defines the vector of the actual surface's normal in RGB... if this were implemented in the displacement algorithm, the mentioned grass above could get some variation in it's direction instead of sticking out «perfectly vertical». ( the approach would be similar to the anisotropic's color channel, that defines a «direction», only in 3d ...)

the spikey ball examples, or especially the cactus we've seen could be improved like this a lot in realism...

IMAGINE !

+1

I want this:

that's what you'd get ... exactly this ... !

maybe except that the blades would be straight and only have one direction «each» . but that'd be much more realistic than the system till now... that's clear.

Here's what I want:
Create grass using instanced poly's / hair fur, etc.
Render out a vector map.
Use vector map in displacement slot.
Is this too much to ask???

hmmm that's a little too much, yes...


look at a radial bent piece of grass from top. it's a line in «real world top view».
if you displace that line, you'll get an area that doesn't look like the piece of grass before...

yes... we'd want auto-placement of instances over geometry. and over displaced geometry... don't we...

+1

OR Even better a plug-in to modo so I can do what you describe with Meshpaint +Bend Toll

I suppose you know about Modo's curved displacement...

nope, i did not know that feature of modo...

but this wish shows me that i still can think creatively...