Spore creations galore!

that's as many legs as i could get before she got upset and started rendering weirdly

If you're a longtime Spore enjoyer like myself, I'm sure you've seen these videos or others like them, where invisible limbs (either with vanilla glitches or from the Dark Injection mod) are utilized to make creatures that float above the ground, giving them the illusion that they're flying (or swimming).

But the most well-known, "tried and true" method has always felt a bit...

... janky.

This is achieved by attaching a single invisible limb to the front of the creature, which causes it to walk by hopping on that invisible leg. The single-legged walk cycle gives the appearance that the creature is flapping itself up and down, either flying with its wings or swimming by propelling its tail. The length and angle of the leg changes the stride, and in turn changes the speed of the "flight".

However, I'm not satisfied with my dragon being so floppy. It might work fine for some creatures, but the exaggerated animation is simply too exaggerated for my tastes.

So I've done some experimenting. The method I came up with a couple years ago isn't too different, but it has three feet instead of one.

This smoother motion is definitely an improvement, and it's what I use for most of my floaty creatures. Yet, I still wasn't satisfied with this dragon's flight. The tail still feels a bit too floppy, and it looks like it's leading with its chest rather than flying with its wings, as if it's being dragged along by something.

This design proved to be a winner! The wings look more like they're providing powered flight, and the floppiness level of the rear is more appropriate. The legs are a bit cumbersome, but since they're invisible limbs, they won't render when the creature is encountered in-game.

But as I was composing this post, I thought to myself...

can I make the wings truly flap?

The answer is yes, it can be done!

With another pair of invisible legs attached at the elbow joint of the wings, each with three feet, this dragon has truly taken flight! It certainly isn't perfect, but considering the capabilities and limits of Spore, I'd say it's pretty damn good.

The limb that creates the wing, the one which these new invisible legs are attached to, isn't just cosmetic--it's a fully functional wing limb from the Unshackled mod (check out my review of the mod here!). The wing limb provides the creature with the glide ability, complete with animation. Miraculously, even with these invisible legs attached, the wing limb animates exactly as it should. I really did not expect that.

HOW TO MAKE TRANSPARENT SPORE GIFS LIKE THIS!!! tha ez way!!!!!!!

step 1: download screentogif step 2: open spore step 3: open spore settings and uncheck full screen mode (bottom right of graphic settings)

step 4: open the creature you want to make a gif of in the creature creator and click on "test drive" on the top center of the screen

step 5: select the black background

step 6: open screentogif and select "recorder"

step 7: fit the screentogif frame around your spore creature

step 8: hit record and then select what action you want your spore creature to do in the gif HINT: if you want to make your gif transparent DO NOT select an animation that kicks up dust. if you do it will interfere with the transparency process.

step 9: hit stop on your recording once the animation is done

step 10: select the end frames (hold shift to select multiple frames) and delete the frames of the animation you dont want to appear in the final cut and press the "delete" button on your keyboard to get rid of them

step 11: once the gif is cut to your liking press "save as" in the "file" tab

step 12: in the "save as" options make sure you have these two options selected and have the color set to pure black

step 13: name and save that shitttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DONE!!!! ENJOY YOUR SPORE GIF!!!

i made spicomellus from reall life in spore

vanilla spore does not have good herbivore mouths so horse is close enouh