In 2006 Alias was acquired by Autodesk. Following the acquisition, Brinsmead continues to work closely with Jos Stam on Autodesk's research team. Before working at Alias, Brinsmead was an animator at Cinescan, primarily producing educational programming for TV Ontario.
In the early 1980s his desire to create a form of visual music led to an interest in computer graphics. At that time, he was also doing freelance work in various orchestras on the French horn, as well as auditioning for full time orchestra positions. As fate would have it, he interned at the New York animation company Judson Rosebush, just off Times Square.
During this time, he also had access to a brand new computer lab at Princeton filled with first generation SGI computers. There was no animation software in the lab at that time, so he developed his own and used it to create the animation Fractal Fantasy which appeared in that year's Siggraph Art + Video show.
While his undergrad degree was split between The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and University of Toronto Music Performance program, Brinsmead completed his Master's degree in Music Performance at Juilliard and enjoys playing piano as well as creating digital realizations of symphonic works in his spare time. The nuances and sensibilities from his musical background certainly find expression in all aspects of his work.
Technical Achievement Awards 2007 (Academy Certificate) - For the design and implementation of the Maya Fluid Effects system. (w. Jos Stam, Julia Pakalns and Martin Werner)
1 Sci-Tech Award