My take on 3D skinning
Friday, September 28, 2007 by theAVMAN | Discussion: Skinning
First I know there have been several discussions about this so I will just dive in.It has been said that you can't truly display "3D" on a screen that is 2D.However I think that it is important to understand 3D first.It is all a matter of perspective!example 2D 
ahhhh but 3D
Same image but different perspective.So the questions remains can Windowblinds reskin your PC in 3D well thanks to the people at Stardock and full perpixel frame support I think the answer is yes here are examples of 2 3D prototypes
Don't there are still some obstacles in trying to create a smooth effects it took about 50 attempts between the 2 skins just on the borders alone .Those of you who render 3D images know the TIME this can take20 or 30 hrs at least!Which brings me to my next point I would estimate most all good skins probably take at least 1 month or more (depending on who you are).I have been working on 3D Metal since may and Azul since June while I am not the best by any means my recent release of LEXAN took aprx.45 days. So between rendering time and trail and error time a standard 2d skin takes 1/4 the time of a 3D skin.Is it worth it look at the pics and judge for yourself while they are not done they are getting closer so it is coming and I am figuring out time savers along the way . but wow what a transformation from standard XP to one of the skins above , it gives you the"is this still my PC" feeling.Please leave your comments and tell me what you think and your take on 3D skinning!
The A/V Man
ahhhh but 3D
Same image but different perspective.So the questions remains can Windowblinds reskin your PC in 3D well thanks to the people at Stardock and full perpixel frame support I think the answer is yes here are examples of 2 3D prototypes
Don't there are still some obstacles in trying to create a smooth effects it took about 50 attempts between the 2 skins just on the borders alone .Those of you who render 3D images know the TIME this can take20 or 30 hrs at least!Which brings me to my next point I would estimate most all good skins probably take at least 1 month or more (depending on who you are).I have been working on 3D Metal since may and Azul since June while I am not the best by any means my recent release of LEXAN took aprx.45 days. So between rendering time and trail and error time a standard 2d skin takes 1/4 the time of a 3D skin.Is it worth it look at the pics and judge for yourself while they are not done they are getting closer so it is coming and I am figuring out time savers along the way . but wow what a transformation from standard XP to one of the skins above , it gives you the"is this still my PC" feeling.Please leave your comments and tell me what you think and your take on 3D skinning!
The A/V Man
vStyler
Reply #2 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:40 AM
Reply #2 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:40 AM
Like Jafo said, the way text is presented in WB realy conflicts with the whole 3d idea. Hopefully future versions will take this into account and perhaps enable use to use perspective throughout.
Right now, while I appreciate your valiant effort my general feeling is it looks awkward. At the moment If I were to do something "3d" its would be from a frontal persepctive meaning the relief of the elements are rising towards me.. a good example of this is IR's Neutronium skin even if it was made in PS.
Right now, while I appreciate your valiant effort my general feeling is it looks awkward. At the moment If I were to do something "3d" its would be from a frontal persepctive meaning the relief of the elements are rising towards me.. a good example of this is IR's Neutronium skin even if it was made in PS.
ZubaZ
Reply #3 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:52 AM
Reply #3 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:52 AM
For truer 3D skinning of the interface you need something like DesktopX. At that point you have much more control of the text perspective of many aspects of the interface.
The illusion will always fail as soon as a native Windows app is launched. That's just a big, painful jolt. I'd rather pass on it then. What would be interesting is if you could use something like Aero's Flip-3d [Winkey]-[Tab] in Vista.
The illusion will always fail as soon as a native Windows app is launched. That's just a big, painful jolt. I'd rather pass on it then. What would be interesting is if you could use something like Aero's Flip-3d [Winkey]-[Tab] in Vista.
theAVMAN
Reply #4 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:54 AM
Reply #4 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:54 AM
I do have to agree with both of you even buttons are manageable but as long as the text is still flat it does still have a slightly funny feel!but I have been working on a good balance so far 3D metal has a more comfortable window feel than azul but if you look close even the toolbar buttons in azul are in a very slight perspective but not enough to feel too odd.Just an attempt to push what is available as far as it can go!Still needs some refinement though!
theAVMAN
Reply #5 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:56 AM
I haven't spent much time on Vista yet
Reply #5 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:56 AM
What would be interesting is if you could use something like Aero's Flip-3d [Winkey]-[Tab] in Vista.
I haven't spent much time on Vista yet
vStyler
Reply #6 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:59 AM
and a little finesse.
Reply #6 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:59 AM
Winkey
Still needs some refinement though!
and a little finesse.
theAVMAN
Reply #7 Friday, September 28, 2007 10:06 AM
Reply #7 Friday, September 28, 2007 10:06 AM
Agreed as a matter of fact still trying to implement some of your suggestions on the metal skin
theAVMAN
Reply #8 Friday, September 28, 2007 10:08 AM
Reply #8 Friday, September 28, 2007 10:08 AM
Hey john did you recognize the wallpaper in the Azul screen shot
theAVMAN
Reply #9 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:03 AM
finally getting comfortable with sks,but maybe I should give it a shot in DX I know there are tutorials but who would be someone good in dx to steer me in the right direction?
Reply #9 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:03 AM
For truer 3D skinning of the interface you need something like DesktopX
finally getting comfortable with sks,but maybe I should give it a shot in DX I know there are tutorials but who would be someone good in dx to steer me in the right direction?
vStyler
Reply #10 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:11 AM
Nope but i do now
Reply #10 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:11 AM
wallpaper in the Azul screen shot
Nope but i do now
Philly0381
Reply #11 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:18 AM
Reply #11 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:18 AM
From a users standpoint the capability to hae 3D skins availble to customize desktops would be fantastic. Visually it gives the impression of an expanded work area. I would really like to see this become a reallity. 
theAVMAN
Reply #12 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:22 AM
Reply #12 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:22 AM
Philly we are working on it.I am going to finish and release the 2 above and probably look into DX some as well
Philly0381
Reply #13 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:29 AM
Reply #13 Friday, September 28, 2007 11:29 AM
theAVMAN, all I can say is Push the Envelope. Look forward to see how it developes.
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Friday, September 28, 2007 9:30 AM
Those examples of '3D' are exposed/let down by the lack of perspective with the text.
The 'menu' can emulate 3D...but until the textual information also follows the contrived perspective it is not 'true' 3D...