LUKE KRATSIOS

SHOWREEL

RENDERING PROJECTS LUKE KRATSIOS SHOWREEL 2024 https://www.lukekratsios.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Luke_Kratsios_Showreel_2024.mov Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/intermission License code: MXUZBDDNTSTOUTUQ

Bamboo Box

ARCHITECTURE BAMBOO BOX This project introduces a novel bamboo construction method that relies on simple connections, facilitating the production of mass-customizable, low-impact shell structures capable of accommodating a broad spectrum of intricate surface curvatures. The project demonstrates a fabrication process that leverages material behavior, computerized manufacturing, and computational logic to reduce material waste in the production of unique usable space. This project introduces a novel bamboo construction method that relies on simple connections, facilitating the production of mass-customizable, low-impact shell structures capable of accommodating a broad spectrum of intricate surface curvatures. The project demonstrates a fabrication process that leverages material behavior, computerized manufacturing, and computational logic to reduce material waste in the production of unique usable space. As computational power and digital tools enable designers to model increasingly complex curves and surfaces, the challenge lies in developing tools and fabrication processes for their physical realization. A crucial aspect of the project is to automate the conversion of easily manipulatable NURBS forms into full fledged structurally optimized dual surface space-frames. TOOLS AND ASSEMBLY Due to its organic nature, bamboo is difficult to connect together using typical off the shelf hardware. Inspired by traditional rope lashing techniques, we formulated a system of reliable planar connections that accounts for material inconsistencies. PROCESS Utilizing Rhino 3D and Grasshopper, a given input surface is analyzed, optimized, and simulated. A complete organized machining file is then outputted with detailed assembly instructions. In the box sent to the customer is only the CNC plywood connection nodes, wire for binding the bamboo to the nodes, a custom bamboo splitter tool, and a cut list. The bamboo itself is locally sourced. This allows for an incredibly small and efficient package, ultimately reducing the environmental impact and cost for the customer. Importantly, the complete on-site assembly is designed to be done without the need for power tools. SITE: ECOVILLAGE AT ITHACA

Relevant Work ScaleAI

Scale AI Product DesignerRelevant Work This is a collection of projects that I believe to be most relevant to the position.  Feel free to also browse my full site: https://www.lukekratsios.com/ PROJECT 1: BLENDER OMNIVERSE EXTENSION Blender Omniverse Extension Blender Omniverse Extension Developed and integrated features for Blender-Omniverse Extension. This shipped software is a Blender plugin designed to allow for seamless transfer/conversion of object and scene data from Blender native formats to those supported by the USD (Universal Scene Description) file format.  Made during tenure at Nvidia. PROJECT 2: ARCHITECTURAL INTELLIGENCE Architectural Intelligence Architectural Intelligence This thesis investigates and develops state-of-the-art AI technologies in the field of generative content and examines how designers can leverage inherent training biases and input data to swiftly generate textures and imagery for use within the design process.  Included in the work is extensive user experience research and implementation of a plugin, integrating Stable Diffusion into Blender. PROJECT 3: PIVOT PIVOT PIVOT Mobile Puzzle Exploration Game PROJECT ROLE: DESIGN LEAD Developed UI/UX Developed visual theme and ensured consistency between UI/assets/rendering Aided in building C++/OpenGL shaders Created all 3D assets Procedurally generated environments Co-developed custom mesh exporter PROJECT 4: TEXTURAIZER TEXTurAIzer TEXTurAIzer Prototype Desktop UI for AI based design plugin for Rhino 3D. Includes proposed functionality, framework, and tested workflow. PROJECT 5: PAINTING A BETTER PICTURE Painting A Better Picture Painting A Better Picture What is the function of an image that represents the notion of belonging? Through painted murals, this project fosters community, hope, and belonging in Skid Row with the use of art and technology.

DRAGON

ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS DRAGON DAY 2019 Head of design and Construction Member of leadership team that designed and constructed 70-foot mobilized articulating dragon “Every year in March, in a tradition that goes back more than 100 years, an enormous dragon created by first-year architecture students parades across campus. Accompanied by AAP students in outrageous costumes, the dragon lumbers to the Arts Quad where it does battle with a phoenix created by rival engineering students. This rite of spring is one of Cornell’s best-known traditions.” – link GALLERY FULL PARADE

Balance

DESIGN PROJECTS BALANCE Playful conglomerate of welded car parts GALLERY

81%

DESIGN PROJECTS 81% Steel framed concrete sculpture GALLERY

Blender-Omniverse Extension

DESIGN PROJECTS BLENDER-OMNIVERSE EXTENSION Official Nvidia-Blender Extension: find it here The Blender Omniverse Extension is a Blender plugin designed to allow for seamless transfer/conversion of object and scene data from Blender native formats to those supported by the USD (Universal Scene Description) file format. This includes: mesh/particle system/material reformatting, texture baking, animation baking, scene optimization, and much more. ROLE: OMNIVERSE EXTENSION ENGINEER AND USER INTERFACE DESIGNER Developed software for remote automated optimization of high poly meshes ⋅ Proposed and integrated features for Blender-Omniverse Extension ⋅ Created Blender-Omniverse plug-in for user interface of developed features ⋅ Collaborated with multiple international teams to successfully bridge mutual Interests ⋅ Utilized Git for version control, code reviews, and joint project development FULL EXTENSION OMNIVERSE PANEL SCENE OPTIMIZER

TEXTURaiZER

DESIGN PROJECTS TEXTURaiZER Prototype UI for AI based design plugin for Rhino 3D Current means of texturing digital objects are either heavily time consuming or limit creativity. Selecting from pre-installed libraries to auto-wrap textures produces results that are boring, out of scale, and out of touch with the architecture being designed. This inadequacy of our tools impedes creativity, eventually leading to artificial limitations in our thinking and designs. In the same way that many architects have shifted to designing within Rhino rather than Revit, we must not restrict our design thinking due to the tools that are available, nor the way things “ought to be built”. By developing tools that respond to the architect’s way of thinking, new means of design logic can be captured. USER INTERFACE Designers convey early concepts through words and drawings. An effective design tool should have the same expressiveness. User input must be expanded in order to capture the way we think. Speech is an integral component of human communication. By utilizing text as a means of input, design intent can more freely and accurately be expressed. Sketching is another powerful method of capturing thought. Interpreting simple sketches to produce presentable outputs can fundamentally change the way architects approach façade design. APPLICATION Here, a series of consecutive steps are taken to rapidly arrive at a final rendered image in a controlled manner. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1. 3D painted pattern on building 2. Ai-Interpolated pattern completion 3. Use generated pattern as input mask for generated materials 4. Simple painted Environment around building 5. Ai generated environment based on input sketch and prompt 6. 2D cutout trees placed in scene 7. Ai generated trees based on input collage 8. Final ai render pass

PIVOT

DESIGN PROJECTS PIVOT DESIGN LEAD OF 8 MEMBER TEAM: Awarded most Innovative game design After a hyper-dimensional cataclysm occurs in an underground lab, the once 3D world can only be perceived in two dimensions. Help Dr. Axel Turner pivot his way through a cross-dimensional maze one slice at a time to restore depth to the world. PIVOT is a spatially-challenging puzzle adventure game with a unique player-centric, fully-dynamic 2D view in a 3D world. https://www.lukekratsios.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/trailer.mp4 Mobile Puzzle Exploration Game PROJECT ROLE: DESIGN LEAD Responsibilities:  Build all 3D assets (character, collectibles, environment, stages) Produce character animations Produce procedural generated environment assets Co-develop custom mesh exporter for generating project files directly from Blender Create 3D to 2D sprites Develop visual theme and ensure visual consistency between UI/assets/rendering Develop UI/UX Aid in building C++/OpenGL shaders and other render effects Integrate character animations in C++ Build out comprehensive story vision HYPERCUBE STUDIOS CZAR CARSON – SARAH FLEISCHMAN LUKE KRATSIOS – JACK OTTO JOHN LO – JOLENE MEI MATTHEW QUINN – GORDI TENEV The challenge of conceptualizing the 3D space, without ever having a holistic view, offers a fresh challenge for puzzle lovers. Experience the thrill of rotating the abandoned world around you, making you feel like the center of the universe. With each turn, collect key items and drop glow sticks to navigate through each complex map. The engaging gameplay will keep you immersed in this exciting adventure. You won’t be able to TURN away. MULTI PASS 3D-RENDERED SPRITES COLORNORMAL COLORNORMAL Utilizing a multi pass approach, paired sets of sprite sheets are created from a 3D model and animation. These sets are then combined in game to create a 3D rendering effect that is without the need for a spending compute power on a high polycount mesh. With the normal map, the sprite can fully react to 3D environment lighting. This effect is used for both character animations as well as collectible objects. GALLERY