Ernest Szoka

 


ernests@gmail.com
http://www.ernestszoka.com

Education

B.C.S Computer Science (Honors), Minor in Mathematics (1997-2002)
GPA: 8.5/12 (B)
Carleton University 

Experience

Contract Software Developer, C++
Canadel 3D Project
Nov 2007 – March 2008
Montreal, Canada

  • Took over programming role of Canadel's proto-type 3D furniture application. Re-factored code, finished features and improved performance
  • Worked with artists and shader programmers to bring application and assets together

Independent Software Developer, C++, OpenGL, Win32
EarthSculptor
June 2006 – Sept 2007 (part time)
Ottawa, Canada

  • Designed, developed and released EarthSculptor, a sophisticated 3D terrain editor from start to finish single-handedly. Developed Terrain engine, editor, user interface, plug-in system, graphics and supporting website
  • Learned valuable project development skills in organizing, developing and selling a complex shareware 3D application from scratch

Contract Graphics Developer, C++, OpenGL, PS2
Transgaming Technologies
March 2006 - June 2006
Ottawa, Canada

  • Rewrote existing parts of Torque's terrain renderer and water renderer for a game being ported using OpenGL for PS2
  • wrote a reflection map maker and re-worked Torques particle system for OpenGL on PS2
  • Worked on miscellaneous graphics and animation issues

Contract Game Developer, C++
Davisville Game Studio
Sept 2004 - Sept 2005
Toronto, Canada

  • Developed multiple card games for a online 3D casino project for Cryptologic using their in-house 3D engine
  • Sequenced and coordinated complex dealer animations and game states with game logic delivered across a network
  • Coordinated with artists and engine/network developers to produce fully working games on schedule

Game Developer/Engine Developer (Trivial Pursuit Unhinged, Raze's Hell) C++, Direct3D
Artech Studios
July 2002 - March 2004
Ottawa, Canada

  • Optimized and improved Artech's inhouse PC/Xbox 3D engine
  • Implemented Shadow Mapping, Blur, Blooming, Shimmer and Depth of Field effects for Artech's Game Engine using Vertex and Pixel Shaders
  • Worked on Raze's Hell (third person shooter) (XBox)
    •  Added numerous visual effects to game (shadows, distortion, motion blur, ect..)
    •  Implemented Raze's weapons (lurker, seeker, turret)
  • Worked on Trivial Pursuit Unhinged (XBox/PC)
    • Responsible for all graphics related issues on Trivial Pursuit Xbox/PC
    • Implemented Tile animation sequences for XBox/PC/PS2
    • Implemented Camera system for XBox/PC

Software Developer Co-op (Core Graphics, Server) Java, C++
BitFlash Corporation
January 2001 - May 2001
Ottawa, Canada

  • Designed and implemented BitFlash server content preview tool using Java, Swing and JNI.
  • Designed and implemented web based server control panel using Java and JSP.
  • Implemented JNI layer interface to Win32 Port of BitFlash Reflexis Light graphics engine.
  • Worked on BitFlash Reflexis V.I.S. Java Browser Client.
  • Fixed bugs in Win32 Port of BitFlash Light Reflexis graphics engine.

Software Developer Co-op (Web Engines) C++, MFC
Corel Corporation
July 1999 - December 2000
Ottawa, Canada

  • Rewrote and maintained entire HTML/CSS Rendering engine.
  • Designed and implemented new UI (Property Dockers, Color Picker Flyout, Toolbars, Source Divider) for Web Designer 3 (Corel's unreleased WYSIWYG HTML editor).
  • Fixed numerous bugs and added numerous features to Web Engines.

Teaching Assistant Real Time Computer Graphics
4th year CS course
Carleton University
Fall 2001
Fall 2002

Corporal (Canadian Infantry Reserve)
Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
November 1996 - December 1999
Ottawa, Canada

 

Projects

Triangle Strip Preserving LOD (Level of Detail)
http://www.ernestszoka.com/tstriplod/tstrip.htm

Technical Skills

Programming Languages/Technologies: C/C++ (Win32, MFC, OpenGL, Direct3D), Vertex/Pixel Shaders, Java (AWT, SWING, JSP, JNI, RMI), Perl, Assembly (x86), Smalltalk, Scheme, Prolog, SilverLight.

Software: Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Expression, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Maya.

Strong 3D Math skills

Interests

Computer Game and Graphics Programming, Cooking, Snowboarding, Squash, Tennis, Running.

References

Available on request