I've been thinking quite a lot recently about how grass is generally made using particle systems, and while it works reasonably well, it never really matches a

I've been thinking quite a lot recently about how grass is generally made using particle systems, and while it works reasonably well, it never really matches a lawn. If you go outside and get dirty in it, you'll see two things: horizontal runners that criss -cross that then grow upwards. The more the grass is walked on, the less upward growth you have and you're generally left with the horizontal runners. ok. I have spent way too much time thinking on this, but ever since I was writing my own engines and modellers (before 3ds max, blender and unreal engines existed), I've always expected realism of 3D to be a thing -- and to a large extent it has become that... but the 3D modelling is still taking some serious shortcuts imho, and particle systems -- although really cool -- are not really addressing realistic models of organic life, despite them being used in that way for landscapes. So, although I encourage any and all work in this area, I hit a mental bump when I read this article, because it seems that particle systems have become too much of a thing, at least to me, and it might be hindering a next gen of organic modelling. I find it ironic that great leaps have come in material handling: modelling skin, as well as Physical Based Materials (eg Blender's new eevee renderer), but fractalish/ high poly natural organics are stuck back in the 90's. Is there someone working in this space that I've not come across perhaps?