= Control the fur density using a texture map =


The [fur density map shader|/nodes/shop/fur_density_map] allows you to control the density of the fur, based on a texture map. 

NOTE:
    In order to use a texture map, your geometry must have UVs.

To use the Density Map shader, simply insert one into the shopnet you created in [Basic Fur Setup|basicsetup] and then set it as the __Skin Shader__ in your [Fur SOP|Node:sop/fur] by clicking the [Icon:BUTTONS/chooser_node] node chooser and selecting it from the tree. 

You can choose your texture map image on the Fur Density Map shader using the [Icon:BUTTONS/chooser_file] file chooser.

[Image:/images/fur/furdensitymap.png]

In this example, `default.pic` was used. You can find this file by navigating to the houdini directory and looking in the pic folder.

For more information on specific parameters, see the [fur density map shader help|/nodes/shop/fur_density_map].

You can paint the fur density even if you are controlling it by a texture map. However, you will only be able to paint areas that have fur according to the texture map. For example, you would be able to paint the fur density within the butterfly, but not in any area surrounding it. See [Varying the fur density by painting attributes|varyingdensity] for more information on painting fur density.

NOTE:
    You can dive inside the Fur Density Map shader and then further into the Fur Density Map VOP CVEX SHOP to manually modify the network. However, this is highly technical and should only be done by someone familiar with VEX.