Issue combining CC sphere with Shatter 3D text

Here's the basic problem: CC Sphere isn't a 3D effect.  Oh, it may appear to be 3D, but trust me -- it isn't.  You can prove it to yourself with this simple exercise:

1. Google "Blue Marble" and download one of NASA's spherical maps of the Earth.
   
2. Import the map into an AE project.
   
3. Add the map to to a comp, and apply CC Sphere.  Poof!  It's a globe!  Cool!
   
4. Make this layer 3D, and start scrubbing the layer's (not the effect's) X, Y and Z rotation values.
   

Hey, what's going on here?  That cool globe is behaving like it's just a paper cutout!  It doesn't have any depth! 

And indeed, it does not, illustrating that CC Sphere isn't a 3D effect.  To do what you seek, you must use an actual 3D application.

1. Bear in mind, 3D is just an optical illusion.

2. Forget about any restrictions, which don't let you get what you want.

3. Have a look at this Andrew Kramer tutorial.

4. Do what you want (perhaps, in a bit different way you initially intended to do).

P.S. Spend some time on exploring VideoCopilot website - it's awesome in terms of creativity source!

when I bring this Maya file into After Effect it becomes a flat 2D image, when combining it with the other layers in After Effects.

That's correct.  A 3D application doesn't create 3D objects that can be manipulated in AE.  You would need to create the entire animation in Maya, and use AE to composite things like specuarity passes, grunge passes, etc.  AE's really good at compositing.  It's not as great as you apparently hope with 3D.

Not necessarily. You may build 3D renders and combine them with 2D footages in AE so as to create entire animation...

Not necessarily. You may build 3D renders and combine them with 2D footages in AE so as to create entire animation...

Understood.  But 3D objects such as those from Photoshop?  A right royal pain to work with.  Basically useless. 

A render from Maya?  Just as you mentioned earlier, simply a 2D layer creating an illusion of 3D.  Moreover, to keep that 3D illusion going in AE if you're animating a camera, for example, requires jumping through a great number of hoops if it can be maintained at all.

You bet.