Online Portfolio

SAMUEL POLACCHINI

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CURRENT TECHNICAL SKILLS:

· Programming languages: C/C++, HLSL, Java, Python, LUA

· Technologies/APIs: DirectX, OpenGL, Windows API, Servlets, JSP, EJB 2.0/3.0, Java Persistence API, J2EE Transactions and Security, SQL (mainly MySQL), XML, SOAP, WSDL, Java Web Services

· Environments: Microsoft Visual Studio, Blender, Eclipse IDE, NetBeans IDE, Apache Tomcat

· Others: UML, Design Patterns (mainly J2EE and game development related), complexity analysis.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Excellent English (studied and lived in Ireland), intermediate Italian, native Portuguese.

QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION:

Graduated in Computer Engineering: Industrial Processes and Systems
at UNICAMP - University of Campinas (www.unicamp.br), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Course period: February, 2003 – December, 2007

Technical certifications:

· Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition 5.0

· Sun Certified Web Component Developer for the Java 2, Enterprise Edition 1.4

· Sun Certified Business Component Developer for the Java 2 Platform 1.3, Enterprise Edition

· Sun Certified Business Component Developer for the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition 5

· Sun Certified Developer for Java Web Services

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

· Developed, on own initiative, a new technique to provide a more complex character body movement system, to be used as base of a new set of dance related applications and games, bringing an innovation and new research possibilities in game AI, based on the developed Body Brain Framework.

· Developed a real time terrain rendering system, combining own and popular techniques to render large terrains efficiently, with level of detail (LOD) control, shadows and automatically generated textures.

· Developed a web configurable simulator of instant messaging server, to assist correction and prevention of Motorola cell phone software defects.

EXPERIENCE:

March, 2008 – Present:
SELF-EMPLOYMENT (full-time work until Nov/2008, currently part-time work)
The Choreo Dancer: Irish Dance and the Body Brain Framework

Main technical experiences:
· Python programming, using Eclipse IDE and Pydev.
· Middleware designing from adapting popular AI techniques (concurrent state machines, A* pathfinder, behaviour trees and ant colony optimization).
· Blender scripting, modelling, rigging and animating.

Responsibilities and achievements:
· Project conceived, designed and implemented on own initiative.
· Resulted in the development of the first middleware that brings the concept of Body Intelligence, creating possibilities for AI innovations, especially in games.

January, 2007 – August, 2007:

MOTOROLA R&D – Software Engineer (30 hours/week Internship), Messaging Team, Jaguariúna, São Paulo, Brazil

Main technical experiences:
·   Object-Oriented Programming, Design and Analysis with emphasis in UML and Design Patterns.
·   Java, Servlets and JSP Programming, using NetBeans IDE and Tomcat.
·   GUI/Web Development using JSP and HTML.
·   Database design and maintenance using MySQL.
·   XML parsing and processing, for use with OMA IMPS protocols.
·   C/C++ Programming under P2K and Linux-Java (Motorola cell phones platforms).
·   C/C++ Unit Testing.
·   Cell phone simulators usage to assist software development and bug fixing.
·   Software Inspecting and Secure Programming.
·   Software testing and analysis of cell phones logs and transactions.
·   Software Version Control with IBM Rational ClearCase™.
·   Six Sigma fundaments (yellow badge), Software and Team Quality Metrics.

Responsibilities and achievements:
·   Worked in parallel on Motorola Instant Messaging (MSN, ICQ, etc) software support and on a web configurable instant messaging server simulator project.
·   Dealt with many different tasks and responsibilities in parallel.
·   Worked with strict deadlines and requirements.
·   Strong team work.
·   Worked cooperatively with many other teams in many countries.
·   Dealt with ethic issues.
·   Followed strict rules of software development.
·   Constantly participated in meetings, internal trainings and did some presentations.

March, 2005 – December, 2006:

Z80 Multimídia Ltda. – Software Developer (20 hours/week), Ethercast Eclipse Game Engine, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Project supported by CNPq (Brazilian National Council of Scientific and Technological Development) - Grant number: 504501/2004-6

Main technical experiences:
·   C/C++ Extreme Programming.
·   Advanced Direct3D, OpenGL and HLSL (High-Level Shader Language) Programming.
·   Strong use of computer graphics math and fundaments.
·   Microsoft Windows API programming.
·   Real-time and multithread programming evolving low-level optimizations constantly.
·   LUA programming (www.lua.org) and LUA to C/C++ interface programming.
·   XML/BXML parsing and processing
·   Advanced research and development in large terrain texturing and real-time rendering techniques.
·   Advanced game programming techniques.
·   Texture filtering.
·   Software Version Control with CVS

Responsibilities and achievements:
·   Worked part of the time at home, so personal time organization was fundamental.
·   Dealt with the entire development process of the assigned engine features, from specification and research to implementation and testing.
·   Developed new techniques for graphics rendering, which required extensive research and many attempts, finally achieving good results.
·   Required good ability as independent problem solver.

Personal game projects (free-time work):

·   SP Pac Man 3D (01/2005): 3D version of the SP Pac Man ASCII made with Direct3D.
·   SP Pac Man ASCII (11 to 12/2004): “Pac Man” based game with great pathfinder AI.
·   Velocidade Mortal (05/2003 to 03/2004): Funny race game based on “Rock 'N Roll Racing”.
·   O Castelo Wille (10 to 12/2000): “Myst” based game, developed in QBasic.

OTHER INTERESTS:

· Irish Dance and Music. He has dedicated great deal of his time to study and practice Irish Dance, since January of 2006, at normal classes and by himself, with imported and internet resources.

· Other Dances. He has experience in Flamenco (1 year), Tap Dancing (8 months) and Tango (6 months).

· Home broking and financial market (BOVESPA - São Paulo Stock Exchange).

· Physical Fitness – gym.