Crystallizer Framework for Maya

The Crystallizer Framework is a powerful plugin designed for use with Autodesk Maya. Developed with the goal of empowering artists to engage with scripting and technical art tools, Crystallizer provides a comprehensive set of custom C++ deformers and pymel.core nodes to users. The plugin outputs pure python code that is executed after the graph is computed, enabling artists to create and implement complex, procedurally-based workflows with ease. Among its many features, Crystallizer includes deformers for blendshape retargeting, non-rigid ICP, Procrustes alignment, correspondence alignment, and tension/compression blending. The Crystallizer Framework is designed to be highly extensible, allowing artists to add and customize tools as needed to meet the unique demands of their workflows. This powerful plugin is a must-have for any artist looking to streamline their workflows, and is similar to Houdini but tailored to specific needs of Maya.

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Age of Zalmoxis m.v.p.

In 2022, I was honored to lead the establishment of the technical art department at Wenmoon Studios, a start-up game development company. During this time, I played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for our flagship game, Age of Zalmoxis. My responsibilities included overseeing the coordination and tasks of various departments involved in the MVP’s development, implementing DevOps strategies, and personally executing and implementing technical art tasks.

Some notable accomplishments include setting up Perforce on AWS, designing the general architecture of the MVP, and setting up and troubleshooting the Unreal Engine 5.1 pre-release build. I also oversaw the creation of the LD block-out to landscape setup using Houdini, implemented fixes and tweaks to the foliage system, and developed landscape shaders and the sky. Additionally, I was responsible for character skinning, river setup and generation, initial in-game cinematic events, UI and in-game music setup, game mode setup, post-processing, cinematic mode, fur shaders, collision setup, horse movement blueprint improvements, birds systems implementation, and lighting.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the rest of the team for their dedicated efforts and contributions in executing the MVP.

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Evil west – Glamour Tentacles

Unreal Engine 4 Animation Blueprint using Fabrik to animate a 3D model of tentacles. Each tentacle has its own “brain” that uses ray-casting to find a location to move to every set amount of seconds (customizable). The system also includes multiple behaviours, such as the ability for the tentacles to grab the main character’s gauntlet when in proximity. This system was specifically developed for the game Evil West by Polish game development company Flying Wild Hog.

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Glamour Rendering Pipeline and Vfx

In 2021, I had the opportunity to design and implement the Glamour Visual Effects (VFX) pipeline for the game Evil West, developed by Polish studio Flying Wild Hog. The pipeline was integrated with the puzzle system developed by the Level Design department, and I was responsible for creating and animating the crystal assets using SideFX Houdini. I also designed and implemented the rendering pipeline, utilizing render targets to draw a visually distinct version of the scene in accordance with the game’s lore and creative brief. Additionally, I developed the shaders and blueprints and utilized procedural vertex animation to create realistic beating heart animations, growing/withering smaller crystals, floor gore, as well as utilizing Niagara for secondary particle generation during destruction. Throughout the development process, I collaborated closely with the Art Department to ensure that the VFX met their artistic vision while also being optimized to run on gen 8 hardware.

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Sky Generator Plugin with support for Gen 8 Consoles.

In 2022, I was given the opportunity to design a sky generation system for the game Evil West utilizing the latest volumetric clouds system from Unreal Engine 4. My objective was to develop a blueprint that would allow for the dynamic generation of skies, aligning with the desired artistic vision. To ensure compatibility with previous generation consoles (gen8), a bake-to-texture system was also implemented, which calculated color and flowmap textures automatically. I wrote HLSL fbm noise generators and a fluid simulator and also built the blueprint and shader assets to achieve the desired results. The plugin was designed to seamlessly manage files for each level, making the process of sky generation as simple as drag, drop, design, and then bake to texture. The system also automatically detects the platform and serves the appropriate version (volumetric or flowmaps) accordingly.

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Ionia Face Rigs

Face Rigs for Allegra and Babaton, built using BlackMagic Rigging Plugin developed by Emilian Burcea @ ArkStudios. Ioana is developed by ROTU. Model and textures created by Brav FG”.

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Candy Rig

Candy Rig, built using BlackMagic Rigging Plugin developed by Emilian Burcea @ Ark Studios. Rendered in Marmoset Toolbag. Model and textures made by Georgian “Nimlot” Avasilcutei.

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Mera Rig

Mera Rig, built using BlackMagic Rigging Plugin developed by Emilian Burcea @ ArkStudios (Poly.Services). Rendered in Maya`s Viewport 2.0 with PBR shaders wrote by Emilian Burcea. Model and textures created by Georgian “Nimlot” Avasilcutei.

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Black Magic Rigging Plugin

I developed Black Magic, four years ago for the purpose of facilitating facial rigging. The plugin is capable of automating the injection and retargeting of blendshapes, the creation of controllers, the setup of the jaw rig, the generation of wrinkle masks based on mesh tension, and the setup of the eyes. Additionally, it includes support for basic biped rig setup. The plugin was developed utilizing the Python programming language and the UI tools available through the Autodesk Maya API. Certain components, such as blendshape transfer and tension, were implemented using C++. Currently, development on this plugin has been discontinued.

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Watch on Youtube