Final Piece

Distance Calculator from alek.castelain on Vimeo.

Maya Python plugin, introducing a custom command for calculating distance between objects.

Thesis

Writing a Plugin

Thesis and Final Project

Plan for my thesis and final project:

• Thesis
• converting Maya scripts
• Python plugins (recommended step by EA)
• C++ plugins (learning a new language)
• Final project
• have a plugin written in two languages
• simple script from Python toolbox

Schedule:

•  18th of July
• script converted to Python plugin
• documented transition to a plugin vs a script
• 25th of July
• script converted to C++
• documents detailing conversion

UDK Exporter now with FAOGEN support.

UDK with AO

udk exporter now with FAOGEN handling my ambient occlusion generation.

Houdini Tool

My goal was to learn Houdini, and I can say that while I do have a better understanding of it. I have barely scratched the surface of how awesome this program is. As sort of a test I decided to create a tool to allow me to 'damage' objects. It is very similar to the basic break functionality of Houdini or Maya, but it creates a lot of the attributes based on the size of the imported object. It starts with allowing the user to visual what the damage might look like on a box, then scales up to match when the user imports a custom object. Allows the user to switch between a sphere, grid, or even a custom object to damage the base object with. It was a really educational project and while the tool and the UI are decent, there is definitely more to learn.

Houdini Tool from alek.castelain on Vimeo.

Tower detail

Detail of the tower from Argo's back. In game shot and wireframes included. 

RealFlow Test

Simple playblast of a realflow test. Realflow powered by a simulation as well. Simulation within a simulation almost. Needs tweaking but was a good intro into realflow.

Hair Test

Simple hair and fur test for maya using a blob face. Simple render.

UDK exporter

UDK exporter has made some progress. Found it doesn't handle multiple textures on a single object. Want to also add the functionality to change the destination folder on the fly, rather than just the first time you run the tool. But it seems to be working well inside the pipeline.

Model Progress

A host of low poly assets for the gnome civilization clutter and houses.



A large gnome tower for the back of 'argo'.