How To Export Spore Creatures to Maya using patch 5 cheat

okay, I looked on the DAZ forums. Problem will be fixed around monday apparently.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/24/2009 22:37:56

Malli wrote:

MaxisEditorDan wrote:

Malli wrote:Hello,

Ok, I have Maya and I have successfully installed the plugin "COLLADAMaya_0.9.5.517_x86". Now I am a big newb at this sort of thing, and I cannot seam to import the .DAE file properly. I will show you some screen shots of what I am experiencing:

Here is me showing that I have the .DAE file and the defuse, normal and specular files also.
http://img190.imageshack.us/i/sp1l.jpg/

I have made sure that Z is up and that any other imported image will automatically be Z-Up.
http://img43.imageshack.us/i/sp2tsg.jpg/

Ok so now I will open the .DAE file.
http://img193.imageshack.us/i/sp3z.jpg/

Here is what comes up when I open it.
http://img43.imageshack.us/i/sp4k.jpg/

Here is my Spore creature up close on Maya...
http://img102.imageshack.us/i/sp5.jpg/

With the Normal, Defuse and Specular files, when I try to 'Import' them this is what I get.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8378/sp6k.jpg

If somebody would please help me get to the part when I can actually play around with the creature/model I would greatly appreciate it. As I said before, I am a complete newbie with the Maya Program.
Thank you in advance and Respect,

(*$Malli$*)

Looks like you actually have everything imported correctly! The mess of lines are just animation joints that are just too large for the model you are working with. Here's how to fix it:

In Maya, go to the menu "Display"->"Animation"->"Joint size..." and set the joint size to be a smaller number, I found that 0.04 works nicely for Spore models.

Give that a try, you're almost there!

-MaxisEditorDan

Hello MaxisEditorDan,

Thank you for your reply, as 'sonicdude98' I am having the same problem, I followed your instructions and it did indeed reduce the joint size, which made me be able to see my creature take more of a shape than just a blob.

I do honestly think that it is something to do with the "Diffuse", "Normal" and "Specular" image files. In my last image from my previous post, I showed that they open in a totally new window from the Maya program. Although I know it is joint with Maya, I can't seem to find any options to Merge the "Diffuse", "Normal" and "Specular" image files (which I open in Maya) with the .DAE file in Maya. (Hope this isn't too confusing).

Is it that you do not have to touch the "Diffuse", "Normal" and "Specular" image files at all? Just importing the .DAE file into Maya should bring up the model with all textures ect? I do thank you for helping me/us in this area, and I will do allot of research on how to use this program, I just wanted to have a little play before taking it seriously.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8203/sp7.jpg
Respect,

(*$malli$*)

If possible, I just need to know how to see the model/creature in Maya and not just the skeleton or bones. As you can see in the image, that's all I can get out of this program at the moment.
Respect,

(*$malli$*)

Malli wrote:

Malli wrote:

MaxisEditorDan wrote:

Malli wrote:Hello,

Ok, I have Maya and I have successfully installed the plugin "COLLADAMaya_0.9.5.517_x86". Now I am a big newb at this sort of thing, and I cannot seam to import the .DAE file properly. I will show you some screen shots of what I am experiencing:

Here is me showing that I have the .DAE file and the defuse, normal and specular files also.
http://img190.imageshack.us/i/sp1l.jpg/

I have made sure that Z is up and that any other imported image will automatically be Z-Up.
http://img43.imageshack.us/i/sp2tsg.jpg/

Ok so now I will open the .DAE file.
http://img193.imageshack.us/i/sp3z.jpg/

Here is what comes up when I open it.
http://img43.imageshack.us/i/sp4k.jpg/

Here is my Spore creature up close on Maya...
http://img102.imageshack.us/i/sp5.jpg/

With the Normal, Defuse and Specular files, when I try to 'Import' them this is what I get.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8378/sp6k.jpg

If somebody would please help me get to the part when I can actually play around with the creature/model I would greatly appreciate it. As I said before, I am a complete newbie with the Maya Program.
Thank you in advance and Respect,

(*$Malli$*)

Looks like you actually have everything imported correctly! The mess of lines are just animation joints that are just too large for the model you are working with. Here's how to fix it:

In Maya, go to the menu "Display"->"Animation"->"Joint size..." and set the joint size to be a smaller number, I found that 0.04 works nicely for Spore models.

Give that a try, you're almost there!

-MaxisEditorDan

Hello MaxisEditorDan,

Thank you for your reply, as 'sonicdude98' I am having the same problem, I followed your instructions and it did indeed reduce the joint size, which made me be able to see my creature take more of a shape than just a blob.

I do honestly think that it is something to do with the "Diffuse", "Normal" and "Specular" image files. In my last image from my previous post, I showed that they open in a totally new window from the Maya program. Although I know it is joint with Maya, I can't seem to find any options to Merge the "Diffuse", "Normal" and "Specular" image files (which I open in Maya) with the .DAE file in Maya. (Hope this isn't too confusing).

Is it that you do not have to touch the "Diffuse", "Normal" and "Specular" image files at all? Just importing the .DAE file into Maya should bring up the model with all textures ect? I do thank you for helping me/us in this area, and I will do allot of research on how to use this program, I just wanted to have a little play before taking it seriously.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8203/sp7.jpg
Respect,

(*$malli$*)

If possible, I just need to know how to see the model/creature in Maya and not just the skeleton or bones. As you can see in the image, that's all I can get out of this program at the moment.
Respect,

(*$malli$*)

Same.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/24/2009 23:11:46

There's a lot of confusion about how to load the creatures into Maya. Hopefully this will clear up some of it.

1. First, make sure you are using the correct plug-in. This plug-in is meant to work with Maya 2009. Download and install this plugin: http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?group_id=136478&filename=ColladaMaya_FREE_3.05C.exe&a=45607538
2. Now make sure the plug-in is LOADED. To load the plug-in go to Window -> Settings/Preferences -> Plug-in Manager – Check “Loaded” and “Auto Load” next to COLLADA.
3. When you go to import the .dae file, look at the "File type" drop-down list and make sure that you pick the plug-in, it should say "COLLADA import". NOTE: If you skip this step Maya will default to its native collada importer which is not as robust as this plugin.
4. Make the joint sizes smaller - Go to Display -> Animation -> Joint Size and make it something around 0.04
5. Use the 4, 5, and 6 keys to toggle between wireframe, textured, etc.
6. If you have a nice graphics card you can click on the "Render" menu inside the 3D window and select "High Quality Rendering"

Good luck everyone and please let me know if you get it working!

-MaxisEditorDan

(Dan Moskowitz)

I still would not mind seeing an animation of a spore creature that was rendered in maya

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 07/24/2009 23:37:48

MaxisEditorDan wrote:There's a lot of confusion about how to load the creatures into Maya. Hopefully this will clear up some of it.

1. First, make sure you are using the correct plug-in. This plug-in is meant to work with Maya 2009. Download and install this plugin: http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?group_id=136478&filename=ColladaMaya_FREE_3.05C.exe&a=45607538
2. Now make sure the plug-in is LOADED. To load the plug-in go to Window -> Settings/Preferences -> Plug-in Manager – Check “Loaded” and “Auto Load” next to COLLADA.
3. When you go to import the .dae file, look at the "File type" drop-down list and make sure that you pick the plug-in, it should say "COLLADA import". NOTE: If you skip this step Maya will default to its native collada importer which is not as robust as this plugin.
4. Make the joint sizes smaller - Go to Display -> Animation -> Joint Size and make it something around 0.04
5. Use the 4, 5, and 6 keys to toggle between wireframe, textured, etc.
6. If you have a nice graphics card you can click on the "Render" menu inside the 3D window and select "High Quality Rendering"

Good luck everyone and please let me know if you get it working!

-MaxisEditorDan (Dan Moskowitz)

I think I am getting somewhere, ok I did what you said as in the screenshots I have now uploaded, but from another .DAE file which I got from a Maya Tutorial video, this one works fine. I can use 4, 5 and 6 to switch modes ect. Here is the link to the one that works: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design/tutorials/maya/exporting-collada-maya-tutorial/collada-car-example.rar

and here are the screen shots of me doing as you said and then playing with "wireframe" and "textured" with no avail, getting the model to show.

1) I re-import the .DAE... as you said (it is definatly a .DAE also)

2) I get a weird messages saying that... well basically that I failed.

3) Playing with 4, 5 and 6 on my keyboard does nothing

.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5691/sp2p.jpg

I will keep trying anyway, and I appreciate you taking out your time to help us MaxisEditorDan.

*EDIT* You was right, you have got it working for me MaxisEditorDan. I re-installed the plugin via the link you just posted, and used that instead of the previous Collada plugin I got from a different source and now it works perfectly. Thank you very much for all your help, much appreciated.
Respect,

(*$malli$*)

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 07/24/2009 23:38:04

MaxisEditorDan wrote:There's a lot of confusion about how to load the creatures into Maya. Hopefully this will clear up some of it.

1. First, make sure you are using the correct plug-in. This plug-in is meant to work with Maya 2009. Download and install this plugin: http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?group_id=136478&filename=ColladaMaya_FREE_3.05C.exe&a=45607538
2. Now make sure the plug-in is LOADED. To load the plug-in go to Window -> Settings/Preferences -> Plug-in Manager – Check “Loaded” and “Auto Load” next to COLLADA.
3. When you go to import the .dae file, look at the "File type" drop-down list and make sure that you pick the plug-in, it should say "COLLADA import". NOTE: If you skip this step Maya will default to its native collada importer which is not as robust as this plugin.
4. Make the joint sizes smaller - Go to Display -> Animation -> Joint Size and make it something around 0.04
5. Use the 4, 5, and 6 keys to toggle between wireframe, textured, etc.
6. If you have a nice graphics card you can click on the "Render" menu inside the 3D window and select "High Quality Rendering"

Good luck everyone and please let me know if you get it working!

-MaxisEditorDan (Dan Moskowitz)

When I try to do texture rendering Maya crashes. Please help.

The good news is, everything else works, including the mesh.

Malli wrote:

MaxisEditorDan wrote:There's a lot of confusion about how to load the creatures into Maya. Hopefully this will clear up some of it.

1. First, make sure you are using the correct plug-in. This plug-in is meant to work with Maya 2009. Download and install this plugin: http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?group_id=136478&filename=ColladaMaya_FREE_3.05C.exe&a=45607538
2. Now make sure the plug-in is LOADED. To load the plug-in go to Window -> Settings/Preferences -> Plug-in Manager – Check “Loaded” and “Auto Load” next to COLLADA.
3. When you go to import the .dae file, look at the "File type" drop-down list and make sure that you pick the plug-in, it should say "COLLADA import". NOTE: If you skip this step Maya will default to its native collada importer which is not as robust as this plugin.
4. Make the joint sizes smaller - Go to Display -> Animation -> Joint Size and make it something around 0.04
5. Use the 4, 5, and 6 keys to toggle between wireframe, textured, etc.
6. If you have a nice graphics card you can click on the "Render" menu inside the 3D window and select "High Quality Rendering"

Good luck everyone and please let me know if you get it working!

-MaxisEditorDan (Dan Moskowitz)

I think I am getting somewhere, ok I did what you said as in the screenshots I have now uploaded, but from another .DAE file which I got from a Maya Tutorial video, this one works fine. I can use 4, 5 and 6 to switch modes ect. Here is the link to the one that works: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design/tutorials/maya/exporting-collada-maya-tutorial/collada-car-example.rar

and here are the screen shots of me doing as you said and then playing with "wireframe" and "textured" with no avail, getting the model to show.

1) I re-import the .DAE... as you said (it is definatly a .DAE also)

2) I get a weird messages saying that... well basically that I failed.

3) Playing with 4, 5 and 6 on my keyboard does nothing .

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5691/sp2p.jpg

I will keep trying anyway, and I appreciate you taking out your time to help us MaxisEditorDan.
Respect,

(*$malli$*)

No problem, I hope you get it working. I think you may be using the wrong importer because on my system it's not called "COLLADA nextgen importer" it's just called "COLLADA importer". So you may have an older or different Collada plugin that is conflicting?

The snapshot indicates you are using the 'Next Gen COLLADA' plugin, which seems to have problems with this content. Well this one is still in Beta.

Please use the other COLLADA plugin Dan recommended - download

Yes, I edited my previous post as this worked, the plugin I was using was different and just didnt work. But as soon as I downloaded and installed that one, all is well

, now hopefully I can get up some super screenies of my best creatures soon... Just playing around with it for now

.
Respect,

(*$malli$*)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/25/2009 00:01:53

Oops, just have to set it to High Quality. Everything works now!

BUT. How the heck do you pose your creature and move it's joints, kinda like the tool "Spasm" that the developers of Spore used to create animations?

Currious if someone get it working using 3ds max.
COLLADA plug-in available here

le_yopyop wrote:Currious if someone get it working using 3ds max.
COLLADA plug-in available here

Well, it's made by the same company as Maya, so I guess it would work.

sonicdude98 wrote:Oops, just have to set it to High Quality. Everything works now!

BUT. How the heck do you pose your creature and move it's joints?

Now you're getting into basic questions about how to use Maya.

But here's a super quick tutorial:

Camera:
Hold ALT and left click to rotate the camera
Hold ALT and middle click to pan the camera
Hold ALT and mousewheel to zoom

Click on a joint to grab it:
Press W to change to "Translate Mode", use the red, blue, green arrows to translate that joint
Press E to change to "Rotate Mode", use the red, blue, green circle to rotate that joint
Press R to change to "Scale Mode", use the red, blue, green boxes to scale that joint

For further Maya tutorials check the web

Good luck everyone and be sure to post some renders!

MaxisEditorDan wrote:

sonicdude98 wrote:Oops, just have to set it to High Quality. Everything works now!

BUT. How the heck do you pose your creature and move it's joints?

Now you're getting into basic questions about how to use Maya.

But here's a super quick tutorial:

Camera:
Hold ALT and left click to rotate the camera
Hold ALT and middle click to pan the camera
Hold ALT and mousewheel to zoom

Click on a joint to grab it:
Press W to change to "Translate Mode", use the red, blue, green arrows to translate that joint
Press E to change to "Rotate Mode", use the red, blue, green circle to rotate that joint
Press R to change to "Scale Mode", use the red, blue, green boxes to scale that joint

For further Maya tutorials check the web

Good luck everyone and be sure to post some renders!

Thanks for that, can you keep us updated if there is a plug-in for blender 3D soon? I don't have enough money to afford maya