From...

September 28, 1999
Web posted at: 2:47 p.m. EDT (1847 GMT)

by Max Green

(IDG) -- It's a sad truth that current PC hardware is usually more powerful than we need to easily run the programs that we use most often. But when it comes to rendering 3D images, a brawny processor is essential. The programs on this list are guaranteed to give your processor a workout. They let you create 3D pictures, fonts, buttons, and interfaces -- and they include some of our most intriguing screen savers and wallpaper, as well. So check them out! Not only will you enjoy the eye candy, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're seeing your computer live up to its potential.

Top 10 3D utilities

1. 3D Impact Pro: Give your Web pages impact by adding highly visible objects: 3D logos, buttons, pictures, and more. This demo includes an object catalog, conversion utilities for 2D-to-3D images, wizards to help create new graphics and objects, and lighting tools for special shadow and reflection effects.

2. 3D ImageCube: Create Web-ready, interactive 3D photo cubes from your favorite snapshots. 3D ImageCube's wizard will guide you through the entire process of creating your cube. You can then control the cube with VCR-like controls or with your mouse. P>

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3. 3D Buttons: Eleven 3D buttons to put on your Web pages. Includes up arrow, down arrow, left arrow, right arrow, Return, Go, Exit, and four blanks of different sizes.

4. Cool 3D: Produce impressive animated 3D text with eye-catching special effects. Cool 3D's drag-and-drop editing makes creating slick-looking titles, logos, and animated graphics for Web pages, digital video, and presentations fast and easy. Work from fonts and logos already on your system or import them and transform them into bouncy, animated 3D titles with this $45 program.

5. Art-O-Matic: Create 3D images that you can size, rotate, and otherwise manipulate. Art-O-Matic helps you learn more about 3D objects, and if you're an advanced user, you'll appreciate its flexibility for adding lighting effects and adjusting image attributes. This $20 shareware requires that you have the Windows DirectX drivers installed.

6. Hot Chrome Screensavers: A new 3D screen saver experience. Create elegant images with interactive functions. Mouse and keyboard hotkeys let you manipulate the sculptures by pulling, dragging, and locking them into exotic, unpredictable shapes. This shareware program lets you use the Pause button to print screens and offers password protection.

7. 3aline Screen Saver: Dynamic 3D shapes move and hover around your screen, creating colorful images. Backgrounds and lights are included, and you can use the built-in controls to customize the images. This fascinating screen saver is worth the $20 registration fee.

8. 3D Dissolve Screen Saver: Watch 3D objects in varied sizes and colors morph and float around the screen. Try to catch this free program producing the same object twice!

9. Textured Wallpaper: A zipped file containing five 800-by-600, 256-color bit map files. Images include 3D stone and water textures.

10. Santa Slayer: This free 3D action game places you in the role of an irate Santa who's far from jolly.