I miss some of the great animations in WB.  I STILL like aquariium with fish swimming in the title bar.

I do 3D Max modelling and can't wait for 3D skinning to arrive.

I think there's quite a few people out there in the skinning community that uses 3D software. You often see graphics that's been rendered in 3D. Especially icons.

Good post -Xino!
And I like the idea of creating the model with a 3D app, then use PhotoShop or PSP to texture it, I think that's the way to go for static icons.
When everything is 3D and animated, then it will be another story!

Xino, I've check your WC page as well as your own web page, but I don't seem to be able to find a sample of an icon by you, I would love to see that, it sounds interesting! Do you have any exemple to share?

Xino, that's excellent! I mean it.

Are you planning on creating an IP based on this visual?

in response to Cycoced's comment about icons in modeling. (and no this is not intended to be an assault or anger derived...lol) The triangles you're referring to (or I think you're referring to) are called polygons. Polygons are what makes the model's surface what it is. If you're seeing those then they are not complete, OR it's an issue with UV Mapping. Bumps are usually caused by what's called a bump map, which is a form of texturing. The model can use several types of textures to simulate different effects. An example would be rust. If you want the rust to appear raised or indented you would apply a bump map, which is a desaturated gray scale version of the original texture map. The bump is utilized by the different levels of blacks being indents and whites or light being raised. The bump simulates a kind of transparency where tho the model's surface is smooth, will be made to appear rough by the bump. So it tricks you into thinking the surface degeneration is a part of the model's geometry. In reality the surface is as smooth as a baby's butt....lol. It's a difficult process to explain. As far as bevel is concerned almost every skin you will see has at least one example of a beveled edge, whether it's raised or sunken in. It adds the 3D appearence most ppl, including myself (bevel whore)....lol, are looking for. Without a bevel effect skins tend to appear flat. In some cases it's good, and fits, and others it just doesn't look right. I have made skins where almost everything possible is beveled...lol, yea I am insane. I think with the continuing hunger for ultra-realism 3D is sure to have a very welcome place in skinning. Think about how awesome it would look to open the OS and see legit 3D titlebars and buttons. Or to open the start menu and see something like Braniac's. With the refinement of skills toward not only skinning, but 3D, I believe we are very close to a dawning of a new era in unconventional 3D skinning being applied in a mass sense. I for one can't wait. Maya is an awesome app but it is NOT for the faint of heart, (causes severe nosebleeds, and massive anurisms)...lol. I personally use Rhino 3D for modeling, mainly because it's easier for me to NURBS model, but also because I've seen loads of ppl complain about it being impossible with organic modeling. It's just not true. Honestly if the propper surfacing techniques are applied, it's a very intuitive modeling app, and has no probs with organics.

I never said you had no experience but your assuming that just because i havent yet produced a 3d looking WB that I cant, how do you know what my 3D background is, How do you know that I havent learned splines, nurb modelling, deformations, extrude?? I have been learning and experimenting in 3DSMax for years also, you think your the only one that can use a 3D app? Perhaps I choose not to brag about it as though I wrote the book. Honestly your work doesn't lend itself to 13+ years experience.

So please don't assume that because I disagree with you that I doubt your knowledge and accordingly don't of me and don't put words in my mouth I never said you didnt know what you were talking about. Put simply, get your facts straight eh?

Don't tell me to crawl before I can walk when you frankly have NO idea WHAT I am capable of.

Your statements are your opinions and thats all. All I have to go on as far as your talent is what you have contributed to the site by way of WB's and I left you a comment on your most recent skin stating what I thought of your work based on your 13 years experience. Perhaps you should learn to crawl also in PS and SKS.

I don't have to prove why or why not I think 3D can be a benefit in WB, Hate to break it to ya but just because u have an opinion.. dont make it right. 13 years or not.

Lastly, no one likes a know-it-all that disregards other peoples endeavours because they cant accomplish what another tries to   

You wanna drag it out some more..be my guest.

lol i'm stayin outa that one VStyler is maaaaad...lol. *zips lips and sits in corner*

Pretty much everything you said is egotistical and I'm not sure why you responded the way you did.

First off, don't attack my skills (or lack thereof in your opinion) just because I gave my opinion. I never once attacked you in any way. You're starting to sound alot like TSF, which I'm sure you will agree is an egotistical prick at times. You've had your own run-ins with him. Keep the personal insults out of this. Common courtesy please?

FYI, I have one a small handful of skins for the public. Most of the skins I've made are for friends and family. Just because I'm not publicly proficient doesn't mean anything. It just means I keep most of my stuff private because I don't want to release it for whatever reason.

We can disagree but be cordial about it. It is possible you know?

Just because I haven't uploaded alot of things here doesn't mean that skinning is all that I do. I personally have been working alot in the last year which stopped all of my skinbuilding. I've made alot of websites over the years, alot of digital artwork, and pages upon pages of traditional artwork which has never been published outside of a learning environment. my true passion is in animation. I skin because I hate the default user interfaces.

I never once said you can't do anything. In fact you're the one who stated you're trying to learn 3d so you can use it in your skinning skillset. I'm only going by what you stated, not me.

Also, I never said I'm an expert and I've never meant to come across as condescending. Like I said before please re-read my posts without a cynical eye. I may be blunt, but that doesn't make anything I said less true. In fact I stated that already, but you seem to want to argue for whatever reason.

I'm giving someone else (not you) the reasons why 3d skinning has no benefit in Windowblinds skinning, at least at the present moment. That's all my posts were about. I have no idea why you try to keep getting into a type fight on a forum for some reason.

Also the skin you posted on was based on a winamp skin and a LS theme. I didn't make most of the design choices. Other creative people did. But to base that skin on the ones I already mentioned, design choices were made for me.

Now if you would like to argue or discuss anything after this post, please e-mail me. it's in my profile. Who knows maybe we can learn from each other. But these little rants from both of us are getting this post offtopic. SOrry 'bout that gang.

Now back to the 3d in skinning topic.

I just wish some of the "professional" skinners out there would use 3d programs more in icon creation. When I see a great skin, but terrible perspective on icons, I will always refuse to pay for the skin and support the skinners, no matter who they are. A little time is all it takes from making your icons lackluster into stunning pieces of iconography. When I see something for sale, especially skins, I expect there to be alot of professionalism in it. I f I personally can make a better looking icon, why would I pay for one that I think is inferior?

Actually texture mapping is an extremely arduous step. I mostly just used to click buttons until I found something I liked.

I'm not that good at modelling and I know it. I never found it was my storongest ability, so I focused on other things, like animation.

A description on how I did what I did in my previews:

For the single icon in the grizzlefish preview I posted, I did no texture mapping in 3d Max. I created the box and did all the extruding and such. Then I rendered out a targa w/ alpha and opened that in PS. From there I just used selection masks and gradients to get the proper lighting on the computer tower icon. Then I added in the glows and the other various small effects.

I find it's much easier to render a flat (not lighted) object than going through the hassle of setting up tons of lights to get the desired effect in any 3d program.

For the huge play button at the top, All that is is a capsule shaped like an aspirin. I then created a simple pyramid (triangle) and extruded that shape from the capsule. I did that so I would get the angles/perspective right in PS, so I wouldn't have to guess and get a silly looking end product. I then added the gloss effect with gradients and selection sets again to get the desired effect. The indention around the button was also added in PS with a simple layer style. The glows and such are also blurs and simple layer styles. After you add one after another, I finally came up with what I was looking for exactly.

Those are the ways I use 3d in my skins

Probably a case of 'you' being the collective [general] pronoun getting people all defensive through mis-interpretation.

Let's get back to nurbs, mip-mapping, et al ....