Mike Ton

Learning to filter and chart tables, csv files, xml/JSON docs has been one of the more interesting problems I encountered working on Halo 4.  It's pure data shepherding.  And when I was doing manually it would take nearly half a day; so I wrote scripts to automate that :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ak0Zu3w86Ux5dEtYZkpuV1Y5dWpfRG1KTTNKSEZ1RXc&usp=drive_web#gid=4

Data once it's filtered for relevancy and visualized as information becomes highly valuable in understanding trends and detecting spikes. Properties that are highly desirable for tracking and reporting memory usage.

Filtering out elements/data is a core component of building automated production tools.  Here's a collection of core filter pythons scripts that I use over and over in Maya.  Useful as a resource to bring budding tech artists to speed.

Code is available at : https://github.com/miketon/Maya_Tools/tree/master/toolBox

The game development paths winds through the unknown on a continous basis.  And a core component for effectively handling the unknown requires updating one's mental model and pushing the edge of understanding. 

An old Indian parable describes how 3 blind men, holding each part of an elephant are convinced that they have 3 different animals. 

Mindmaps, in my experience, offer a holisitic and methodical approach for mapping out what's at the edge of one's understanding: They capture what you know, and perhaps more importantly, reveal the empty space of what you yet don't know.  

Below is an index to the current mental maps that guide me about the elephant: 

http://www.mindomo.com/view.htm?m=8b80c850ca4441418aa8f013aea5bd01