If the strands projected individual shadows I'd think the render time would increase exponentially. It's interesting seeing the new technologies in action. I know this is still real ealy in the development game (how we work with this kind of hair) and the optimal ways of doing things aren't common knowledge yet. But I'm looking at this and thinking that a combination of the old transmapped hair and specific strands of this type of hair may be optimal. The old type hair gives a better sense of fullness. The new hair obviously animates better (although no doubt there will be a learning curve figuring out how to really control it). I'm waiting to see someone do a short of a balding man fighting to make those precious few strands of hair lie down properly across the top of his head. Or maybe his head is being stroked by a lovely young lass and his hair keeps springing to attention. Or maybe... I'd better stop. For now.

Before they made me they broke the mold!
http://home.roadrunner.com/~kflach/