Archive for 2012

Main Maya menu disappears

This seems to be a common problem some of my friends have experienced, even some on OSX.
Anyway the quick workaround was to just blow away your ~/Documents/maya/2012-x64/prefs/userPrefs.mel file.

However here is a better fix I came up with which does not seem to be documented:
--- prefs.old/userPrefs.mel 2012-12-04 12:00:52.029427000 +0900
+++ prefs/userPrefs.mel 2012-12-04 12:15:29.213427000 +0900
@@ -972,7 +972,7 @@
  -iv "loftPolys" 0
  -iv "mainMenuBarNeedsToBeTraversedWhenHotkeyEditorIsOpened" 1
  -iv "mainWindowDisable" 0
- -iv "mainWindowMenubarVis" 0
+ -iv "mainWindowMenubarVis" 1
  -iv "mainWindowTitleBarVis" 1
  -fv "manipGlobalScale" 1.5;
 optionVar

アシスタントアニメーターのポジションに空席あり

アシスタントアニメーターのポジションに空席あり


Toneplusでは、ある一つのプロジェクトにおいて日本人の研修アニメーターを募集しています。
仕事の成果が優秀であれば、長期契約を得ることも可能です。研修はカナダ人リードアニメーターによって行われます。

資格:
Maya使用経験最低4年
アニメスタイルの技能があればより望ましい
基本的英会話能力(高校レベル)必要

連絡先:
info at toneplus.co.jp

CGモデラーを募集します

必須言語:日本語、基本的な英語またはフランス語のいずれか

勤務地:日本
開始日:即刻
期間:1.5ヶ月 技能力によって1年間へ更新のオプションあり

仕事内容、職責:
私達は現在CGモデラーを募集しています。ゲームのモデリングとテクスチャー技術を有していることが条件です。ディレクター、リードモデラーと共に、インターナショナルなゲーム作品のための高品質モデルを作成することを仕事とします。

職務:
・アートディレクターと共に、CG資産、キャラクターのスタイル、ルックス、質のレベルを決定、モデルを作成する。
・モデル環境とCG資産
・社内独自の設備での作業
・質と能率の向上をはかるため、brickmap bakeやptex dataなど、技術ソフトウェアを駆使し新興技術を持ってする実験性と革新性

資格:
・ゲーム産業で最低強3年の勤務経験があること
・Maya, 3ds Max, Zbrush, Xsi, Mudbox または同じようなソフトいずれかに上級レベルで理解できること
・マップベーキング含め、独自のモデルをテクスチャリングできる
・トポロジー、UVの技能を持つこと
・指定時間内に自分の仕事を終わらせ作品を完成させる能力は必須
・文面、口頭両方における意思疎通能力、協調的労働倫理

連絡先:
Positions at toneplus.co.jp

CG Modeler position available


Required Spoken Language(s): Either Japanese, basic English or French
Required Work Auth.: Japan
Start Date: Immediately
Duration: 1.5 months with option to renew for 1 year based on skill.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are currently looking for CG Modelers. The chosen applicant should have the ability to model and texture game props and sets. He/She will work in collaboration with the Director, and lead modeler to create high quality models for an international game title.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with Art Director to determine style, look and quality level of models for CG assets and characters.
• Model environment and CG assets
• Work w/proprietary in-house tools
• Experiment and innovate with emerging techniques such as baking brickmap and ptex data and technical software to improve quality and efficiency

REQUIREMENTS:
• Minimum of 3+ years of game industry experience
• Advanced understanding of either Maya, 3ds Max, Zbrush, Xsi, Mudbox or equiv.
• Able to texture own models, including normal map baking.
• Skill with topology, UV's .
• Able to meet deliverables and drive your work to completion within specified timelines a must.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and a collaborative work ethic.

CONTACT:
info at toneplus.co.jp

Misty Temple

There is beauty in the transient nature of all things.
Many of us want to extend these good times with long holidays, never appreciating that the timing itself is part of the beauty.
Like when one is lucky enough to catch the sight of sakura petals whirling in a breeze before falling to their origin.
I had one of these moments today.
I was pretty busy this long weekend and only had a Monday afternoon to enjoy. Despite a pending typhoon I decided to race up to Yakuo-In temple perched atop nearby mount Takao.
Late afternoon by the time I arrived it had just started with a few intermittent showers but nothing to put me off. Everyone was heading back down the mountain, sweaty from their humid Japanese summer hike.
By the time I made it up the mountain the magic had begun. The heat and rain had brought in a magical mist which entwined the temples and myself just for that evening.
Life is like that.

Toneplus Animation Studiosプロダクション・マネジャーを募集中

position filled

トーンプラス・アニメーション・スタジオ 人材募集中 役職:プロダクション・マネジャー


トーンプラス・アニメーション・スタジオは拡張下にあり、有能なプロダクション・マネジャーを必要としています。
これは、多言語世界レベルのアニメーション制作環境で働くための素晴らしい機会です。私達は、人種、性別他外的要因をいっさい差別しないことに誇りを持っています。 

プロダクション・マネジャー


説明

仕事の目的:
プロダクション・マネジャーの仕事は、アニメーション・スタジオにおける全ての進行、過程、生産、納品の管理に責任を持つことです。アニメーション・ディレクターとの関係が要となる役職です。作品が、クリエイティブな視点からと同様進行状況からも、求められた水準に確実にかなったものになるようディレクターとの連絡を密にすることが必要とされます。

プロダクション・マネジャーが管理するのは:
・アニメーター
・中核部パイプラインスタッフ
・プロダクションスタッフ

フルタイムまたは作品ごとの契約可

役職の主な任務は以下を含むが以下に上げたものだけに限らない:
・アニメーションチームの運営や様々な作品制作の流れの中で、監督とのパートナーシップを大切にしながら主要な援助となること。
・アニメーションやセットアップに関する全ての案件でキーポイントとなること
・特に作品には大きく影響するため、プロジェクトやフィルムのために総括的なスケジュールを作成し維持管理すること
・アニメーションディレクターと協力し合い、担当チームが一つとなって仕事ができるよう総括スケジュールに沿って制作計画を立てること
・内部アーティストの管理と同様、雇用に関して上司と取り組む等、チームの人材を監督する
・制作の遅延や仕事不足などを予想して上層部マネジャーやクライアントと連絡を取り合う
・プロダクションに関して幅広い意見を交換するなど他マネジャーとコミュニケーションを図り、必要であればオー  ナー、クライアントに意見を伝える。
・アニメーションリーダーと協力してチームのスケジュールや計画を立て示し、プロジェクト期間中それを管理していく。
・プロダクションとその関連する監督やアーティストとの間で、正確且つタイムリーな意思の疎通ができるように指揮監督する。
・日ごとのアニメーション作業を監督する。
・毎日勤務し、上層部ミーティングへの参加、管理をする。
・プロダクションの運営、その相互作用を開発し指導する。
・関連の監督と共にクルーの作品レビューを管理する。
・アニメーション部門のミーティング全てに参加して作品の進行状況を把握し、彼らの能力を高め、必要なところに妥当性を見出すこと。

求められる資格

この役職に必要とされる能力

技能:
・スケジュール、データ管理のために一般的に使われているプログラムを熟知していること
・CG制作の経験と知識

個人的要素:
・母国語レベルで日本語を話し読み書きができる。
・基本的な英会話能力
・話を聞き、要約することができる
・高い問題解決力と紛争解決力
・文面、口頭に及ぶ明解な意思疎通力
・自己啓発能力
・締め切りに対する管理能力
・状況変化に対する適応能力と新しい技能への学習能力

経験:
最低6年のプロダクション・マネジャー経験を持ち、その内少なくとも4年は日本での勤務であったこと

Submit applications to info (at) toneplus.co.jp

Toneplus Animation Studios position available: Production Manager

position filled

Toneplus Animation Studios is growing and we need the services of a very good Production Manager. This is a great opportunity to work in a multilingual world class animation production environment. We have a proud record not to discriminate on race, sex, or any other external factors.

Production Manager


Description

Job Purpose:

The Production Manager is responsible for the management of all processes, procedures, outputs and deliverables for the Animation studio.

The role‘s key relationship is with the Director of the Animation, working closely together to ensure that the department outputs are aligned with the production schedule as well as the creative vision for the product.

The Production Manager will manage:
- Animators
- Core pipeline staff
- Production staff

Available for full-time or production based position.

The main responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:


  • Partnership with and key-support for the Director in the running of the Animation team and general production.
  • Key point of contact for all issues regarding animation and setup.
  • Contributing to the creation and maintenance of the Master Schedule for the project or film, in particular as it relates to the production.
  • Working with the Animation Director to forecast Animation crew forecasts in line with the Master Schedule.
  • Overseeing team resources, covering both internal artist management as well as working with the boss during the hiring process.
  • Forecasting delays and shortfalls and communicating issues to upper management and clients.
  • Maintaining a high level of communication between the other Managers, discussing broad production issues and feeding them back to the owner and client where necessary.
  • Working with the Animation leads to distribute animation team schedules and milestones for the team to work with, and managing them through the duration of the project.
  • Supervising the accurate and timely communication between Production and relevant Supervisors and Artists.
  • Supervision of daily Animation operations.
  • Dailies attendance and management in high level reviews.
  • Mentoring and development of Animation Production staff in the running of the department and all production interactions.
  • Administering crew performance reviews with relevant creative supervisors.
  • Overseeing all the animation department meetings and production processes, increasing their efficiency and relevancy where needed.

Requirements

The required skills for this role include:

Technical:
Good knowledge of programs generally used to schedule and manage data.
Experience and knowledge of the CG Feature process.

Personal:
Native spoken and written Japanese.
Basic English communication skills.
The ability to listen and summarise.
High level problem solving and conflict resolution.
Clear communication over a range of written and verbal scenarios.
Motivational skills.
Management of deadlines.
The ability to adapt to changing situations and learn new skills.

Experience:
Minimum 6 years PM experience, at least 4 in Japan.

Submit applications to info (at) toneplus.co.jp

a couple of Naiad fixes for ya!

We often receive data form clients to do effects with (or just darn fix up), some data can be puzzling to say the least. Anyway here are two fixes from yours truly for Naiad we had to solve to convert data correctly:
1: Naiad particle import woes:
https://exoticmatter.zendesk.com/entries/20850033-importing-particles-into-maya
2: Naiad exporting emp's skipping frames:
https://exoticmatter.zendesk.com/entries/21373468-naiad-emp-export-skipping
Note the simulation once converted in Naiad is as easy as pie, it's always the bloody conversion that's gonna getcha!

New positions available at Toneplus Animation Studios

We have new positions available immediately in our Tokyo office:
  1. Texture artists
  2. 3ds max Generalist
  3. Modelers


Toneplus does not discriminate on age, sex, race or disability
filled

3ds Max generalist position available

Required Spoken Language(s): Either Japanese, basic English or French
Required Work Auth.: Japan
Start Date: Immediately
Duration: 1 year renewable contract after 1 month test based on skill.


JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are currently looking for another 3ds Max Generalist. The chosen applicant will use 3ds Max in a generalist position. He/She will work in collaboration with our lead Max artist to integrate Max and its plugins with our pipeline when Max data and or effects are needed.


JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with the Technical Director to assist in integration with current pipeline.
• Model, Animate, Render using Max.
• Work w/ proprietary in-house tools and scripts.
• Experiment and innovate with new plugins to assist with new effects
REQUIREMENTS:
• Minimum of 3+ years of industry experience
• Advanced understanding of 3ds Max.
• Experience with FumeFX.
• Experience with Naiad or Realflow a plus.
• Skill with integrating Max with Houdini/Maya/RenderMan a plus
• Able to meet deliverables and drive your work to completion within specified timelines
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and a collaborative work ethic


CONTACT:
positions toneplus.co.jp

filled

Modeler positions available

Required Spoken Language(s): Either Japanese, basic English or French
Required Work Auth.: Japan
Start Date: Immediately
Duration: 1 year renewable contract after 1 month test based on skill.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are currently looking for CG Modelers. The chosen applicant will create environment and character models. He/She will work in collaboration with the Art Director, Texture artists and Designers to create high quality models for CG assets and characters.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with Art Director to determine style, look and quality level of models for CG assets and characters.
• Model character and environment and CG assets
• Work w/ proprietary in-house tools
• Work closely with both internal and external Art Teams both in Japan and overseas to help maintain continuity and quality
• Experiment and innovate with emerging techniques such as baking RenderMan brickmap data and technical software to improve quality and efficiency
REQUIREMENTS:
• Minimum of 3+ years of industry experience
• Advanced understanding of either Maya, 3ds Max, Zbrush, Xsi, Mudbox or equiv.
• Experience with Pixar's Catmul-Clark subdivision surfaces a plus.

• Able to texture own models a plus.
• Skill with topology, UV's and Ptex pipeline a plus
• Strong portfolio demonstrating the ability to paint in a variety of styles (hard, soft, toon, real etc.)

• Able to meet deliverables and drive your work to completion within specified timelines
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and a collaborative work ethic

CONTACT:
positions toneplus.co.jp



filled

Texture artist positions available

Required Spoken Language(s): Either Japanese, basic English or French
Required Work Auth.: Japan
Start Date: Immediately
Duration: 1 year renewable contract after 1 month test based on skill.


JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are currently looking for CG Texture Artists. The chosen applicant will create environment textures. He/She will work in collaboration with the Art Director, Modelers and Designers to create high quality textures for CG assets (props, clothing, etc.).


JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with Art Director to determine style, look and quality level of textures for CG assets
• Paint textures for environment and CG assets
• Work w/ proprietary in-house art tools
• Work closely with both internal and external Art Teams to help maintain continuity and quality
• Experiment and innovate with emerging techniques such as Ptex and art software to improve quality and efficiency
REQUIREMENTS:
• Minimum of 2+ years of industry experience
• Advanced understanding of Photoshop
• Experience in UV layout, texture projections, and 2D texture painting
• Skill painting textures and creating shaders(color, normal, specular, ambient occlusion, height, uv, and incandescent maps using 2D/3D application(s)
• Experience with Maya/Max or Mudbox (or equivalent 3D program) a plus
• Strong portfolio demonstrating the ability to paint in a variety of styles
• Able to meet deliverables and drive your work to completion within specified timelines
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and a collaborative work ethic


CONTACT:
positions toneplus.co.jp


filled