Wild Arms = Win.

Wild Arms (1) for Playstation (1). This is in my top 3 favorite games of all time. Few are the games that have given me more immersion, fun, and excitement than this one here. Play it if you ever get the chance, it's amazing.

Resume and Demo Reel Updated

Hello fellow Champions. I updated my website, resume and demo reel this fine evening, please check it out if you like awesome things.

Resume - http://www.jaygrenier.com/resume.htm
Demo Reel - http://www.jaygrenier.com/animation-demo-reel.htm
Website - http://www.jaygrenier.com/

And here's a little win for the hell of it.

Floating Time - MaxScript

This script is great. I use a lot of custom scripts but none of them get as much use as this one, so I thought I'd share. It gives you a little floating window you can use to adjust the time range and go to any frame you like. I much prefer it to the default setup. Saves a few clicks and precisely 45milliseconds per frame change when you're working in 3DS Max. (Yes I'm being sarcastic, but it's still awesome and speeds you up in my opinion.) Fast is where it's at people!.

fn floatingTime =
(
   if (theTimeRollout != undefined)
   then (destroydialog theTimeRollout)

   rollout theTimeRollout "Floating Slider Time" width:258 height:25
   (
       spinner theStartFrame "Start: " pos:[22,4] width:60 range:[-100,50000,1] type:#integer
       edittext theTimeInput "Go To:" pos:[89,4] width:80
       spinner theEndFrame "End: " pos:[193,4] width:60 range:[-100,50000,1] type:#integer

       on theTimeRollout open do
       (
       theTimeInput.text = ((sliderTime as integer) / ticksperframe) as string
       theStartFrame.value = (animationRange.start as integer / ticksperframe)
       theEndFrame.value = (animationRange.end as integer / ticksperframe)
       )
       on theTimeInput entered x do
       (
       slidertime = x as integer
       )
       on theStartFrame changed x do
       (
       if (x < animationrange =" interval" value =" (animationRange.end" animationrange =" interval"> animationrange.start)
       then
       (
       animationRange = interval animationrange.start x
       )
       else
       (
       theEndFrame.value = (animationRange.start as integer / ticksperframe) + 1
       animationRange = interval animationrange.start theEndFrame.value
       )
   )
   )createDialog theTimeRollout style:#(#style_toolwindow, #style_sysmenu)

)

When The Lights Are Down - Kamelot

Rules without exceptions last eternally
Every move you make creates your destiny
I've come to soak my sorrow in halo black
As black as the seal on my soul

Cause when the lights are down
There's no more to say
Love is the real pain
An internal revolution in our minds
And when the lights are down
You're so far away
Tell me your real name
In the silence of the darkness we unite

(Rules without exceptions last eternally
Every move you make creates your destiny)
What can protect me from the past
And all the things that I have done
She told me and then she was gone

But when the lights are down
There's no more to say
Deep in the shadows
Where the last of my delusions made a stand
Cause when the lights are down
She'll take me away
Tell me her real name
And in death we'll live the love we never had

Come all ye faithful beneath the moon
Into the void as one
Marching on

This song is so damn awesome.

Here is a new flower photo.

Took about 200 photos this weekend up at Emily's college. I've got quite a few to go through but this is something I put together quickly last night. Stay tuned for more!

Ken Robkin, Sony's Newest Animator

My good friend Ken Robkin just got a great animation job working at Sony in San Diego. Him and I met at Animation Mentor and competed in the FJORG! challenge at Siggraph together. He's a hell of an animator and we're all super excited for him. San Diego is also a lot nicer than Florida. Congratulations man!

Check out his work here: http://www.ukyo3d.com

Champion of Ithaca

So this is home...
In the guise of a beggar - Minerva guides my way
I find my kingdom in jeopardy

Vengeance - it swells within me
As I spy so many who eye my Queen
I'll make them pay for this blasphemy... All will see

Triumphant - Champion of Ithaca
I will right all the wrongs
Let the Gods sing my song
Triumphant - Champion of Ithaca
Let a new life begin
my journey has come to and end

A contest of valor
'to pierce the twelve rings
in a single arrow's flight'
Yet, not a one can string the bow

My veil of silence lifted
All is revealed
revenge burns in my heart
thrashing and slashing down all my foes...to claim the throne

Triumphant - Champion of Ithaca
I will right all the wrongs
Let the Gods sing my song
Triumphant - Champion of Ithaca
Let a new life begin
this is the end of my Odyssey

Seems like forever that my eyes have been denied
Home - I'm finally home
I've been twenty years away from all I ever knew
I have returned to make my dream come true

...Just a verse from one of my favorite songs, and the lyrics behind the title of my blog. (Symphony X - "The Odyssey")