Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 8, 2010. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Ilion Animation Studios and Pyro Studios used Autodesk 3D modelling, animation and rendering software to develop the “Planet 51” film and game. The solutions were used throughout both the game and film pipelines to produce a visually appealing and credible alien world with the look of 1950s America.
Planet 51: The film
The Animation Studios film team used Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya software to bring the film to life. The software was used for previsualisation at the start of production and again later for the final layout. Autodesk solutions also helped model more than 500 individual characters and over 100 different locations on the planet, and supported the creation of visual effects for the film.
Planet 51: The game
Production of the “Planet 51” game began four years after work on the film started. There was a unique openness between the film and game studios, and both studios used specific Autodesk solutions at the core of their respective pipelines. From the beginning of game production, Pyro Studios had access to the complete film script and all of the film’s materials.
“We examined every element of the Planet 51 world, and what particularly caught our eye was the vehicles’ distinctive characteristics. We thought the unique cars, which can hover, jump and move at tremendous speed, would provide a perfect focus for gameplay, and on this basis we developed an open-world driving game,” explained Luis Fernando Fernandez, Head of Development at Pyro Studios.
A large proportion of the film models developed by Ilion Animation Studios were transferred digitally to the Pyro Studios team for reuse in the video game. The fact that both studios worked with Autodesk solutions considerably simplified the transfer of materials. The models were first resized and then reanimated for the game in Autodesk 3ds Max.
“We wanted to create something truly large, with an open environment and an extraordinary variety of gameplay,” said Fernandez. “Access to the film script and 85 percent of the digital assets was simply fantastic. It allowed us to develop a comprehensive game that complements the film and enhances the Planet 51 experience. Players can freely explore the film’s key locations, but are not bound to the film’s storyline.”
About Planet 51
Planet 51 is an alien adventure comedy of galactic proportions centred on American astronaut Captain Charles “Chuck” Baker, who lands on Planet 51 believing he is the first person to set foot on the planet. To his surprise, he discovers that the planet is inhabited by small green beings who live happily in a society strongly reminiscent of 1950s America, and whose only fear is being invaded by alien attackers. With the help of his robot companion Rover and his new friend Lem, Chuck must find his way through Planet 51’s dazzling and bewildering landscape to avoid becoming part of the alien exhibition at the Planet 51 Space Museum. The film was directed by Jorge Blanco and written by Joe Stillman. Production was led by Guy Collins and Ignacio Perez Dolcet.
