Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations have been employed to develop a mechanistic model for the development of an out‐of‐plane (fiber) texture in polycrystalline thin films. The depositing atoms preferentially sputter film atoms from grains with high surface energies. As the film grows, an atomic shadowing mechanism leads to the lateral growth of the grains with a height advantage—eventually leading to the occlusion of randomly oriented grains. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.