ChasUGC: Most definitely can. I purchased 3DMax solely for skinning. For creating DesktopX animations I find it the best method. Used it for a DesktopX Wallpaper Changer widget and some other stuff. But it takes alot of work to get good at using it and I'm only just beginning really. Finding the time to do that along with everything else is tricky.

I think z layer is on the z axis. The third dimention if you will.

the transaprency layer is more properly called the alpha channel

I know that Tiggz. I was just referring to the fact that one can simulate depth with the alpha layer. Hence, the third axis or z axis or, z layer. I was thinking about this because its hard to retain any 3D effect with just the x,y plane in bitmaps, unless of course you have a background. I just asked because I'm experimenting for my next theme.

hehe, I knew you knew that
I think maybe when you render a scene in 3DSmax you can render a mask layer as well.
One of the most important elements in creating the illusion of depth, or height, is creating realistic looking shadows. Which kind of stumps me in those 3D proggies because to render a shadow you have to render it against a surface, whereas what you really want to do is render it against, er, a transparent thingy so that when the graphic becomes a dx object the shadow lies across your desktop background. Not sure if I explained myself very clearly there
Suffice it to say I'm a 3D noob It would be nice to learn those skills, but whenever I have a go, I always end up a quivering mess after a few hours of toil and only some pathetic looking blob to show for it

I always end up a quivering mess after a few hours of toil and only some pathetic looking blob to show for it

My pathetic looking blob is more pathetic than your pathetic looking blob.

Tiggz: You can render it against a matte/shadow surface in 3dMax. This makes the surface it's cast against into the projected shadow. My wallpaper change widget was rendered entirely in 3dmax exported to multiple png files and includes shadows both on the animated parts and on the static parts. Here it is against a normal wallpaper.




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Boy, I really need to save up and get 3D Studio Max (and AutoCad and Photoshop and Flash and Director and...)

pjpowell: yeah that looks really amazing I have to admit. As you mentioned in your earlier post, I think learning to use a 3D program effectively takes alot more time than I have so far invested in it. And I also agree it is probably one of the best ways to create effective animation (of a certain type). Whilst the image you post could be done relatively simply, albeit not quite so realistically perhaps, in photoshop, to make a believable animation a 3D proggie must have the advantage.
Oh well, maybe one day...

JeffBDVS: My pathetic looking blob is more pathetic than your pathetic looking blob

I resemble that remark!