'Strong possibility' Spore creations will be exportable to Maya

by Ross Miller { Jul 16th 2008 at 6:45PM }

While taking us through an exhaustive hands-on with Spore, Maxis producer Thomas Vu told us that there was a "strong possibility" that the company would allow you to export your creations – creatures, buildings and vehicles – from the game into 3D modeling/animation program Maya. Vu said it wouldn't be a stretch for other 3D-creation apps (e.g. Lightwave, 3D Studio Max) to be made compatible, too.

Also likely exportable is the music you create in the game, although Vu was not sure what format. What would be holding the feature back, explained Vu, was if it "didn't fit Spore," i.e. how do we define the title? As a game, an app? He suggested that if community interest was strong enough they'd likely put it in. You hear that, community? Make our dreams as aspiring animators that much closer to fruition. We'll have more from our exhaustive session with Spore later this week.

Tags: 3d, 3d-modeling, autodesk, e3, e3-2008, ea, electronic-arts, maxis, maya, spore

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

pete @ Jul 16th 2008 6:50PM

Make Sim City 5!

Averna @ Jul 16th 2008 10:49PM

Hell yeah. Spore is good and all, but give us our fix!

I wouldnt mind some old Maxis remakes either to be perfectly honest. Sim Farm was really fun back in the day, imagine it on todays engines.

FSK405K @ Jul 16th 2008 6:54PM

So that means we could import from other modeling software, right?

MagusDF @ Jul 17th 2008 10:22AM

now they just need to set up the link the other way and let peoples creations feed back into spore!

eldee @ Jul 16th 2008 7:12PM

this just in: spore generates more piracy of high-end 3d software since a large majority of their target audience can't afford a $3k piece of software and the PLE version of maya won't import anything but autodesk's proprietary format (which is closed source).

james @ Jul 16th 2008 7:33PM

PLE can import FBX... which is well defined publicly as well as autodesk providing and SDK for it for free www.alias.com/fbx

So if Spore exported in FBX (which would be the easiest thing for them to do), even the learning edition could import it.

LuckyEMS @ Jul 16th 2008 8:11PM

this just in: feature barely used since most people cant use any type of 3D programme no matter how easy they think it is

Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jul 16th 2008 8:40PM

This just in, cloever retort places price of HIGH-END 3D package at $1000 over baseline package (and $4000 below deluxe package) while failing to mention Maya is among the most taught 3D packages in 3D art programs across the nation and student versions are as low as $500 yearly renewable license.

BananaBoat @ Jul 16th 2008 7:18PM

Unless you can load things back into spore once you've screwed with them in Maya, this doesn't sound that mind blowing. Unless you want to load the Dong people from the planet Cocks into maya for some "special" editing work...then I understand.

Just imagine if you could import things in.... 100 foot tall naked Yoko from Gurren Lagann here I come. (or just a giant race of naked women in general. That'd be the best tribe evar)