3DLayer.com - Get [in] to 3D Layers

What do I need to take advantage of Adobe® Photoshop's new 3D layers? Currently, only Adobe® Photoshop CS3 Extended supports 3D layers. Hopefully, as the technology matures, we'll see it start to move across the Adobe® software lineup.

To really take it to the next level, as we show on this site, you'll need Strata's 3D[in] plug-ins. Do I need the "Extended" version of Adobe® Photoshop? Yes, currently only Photoshop CS3 Extended supports 3D layers. Do I need to know much about 3D software to get started? No, with Photoshop CS3 Extended and this site, we can show you how to start using 3D in your day-to-day work today. Isn't the 3D in Photoshop somewhat low-resolution (real-time Open GL)? Yes, and there's a place for that. Exporting real-time 3D web pages or PDF documents directly from Photoshop (with Strata's Live 3D[in]) can be a great way to show off a product or explain a concept.

But if you want that photo-realistic 3D punch, Strata's Design 3D[in] plug-in will allow you to render 3D objects within Photoshop with a mature, industry-tested render engine.

Don't I need to know how to create 3D models? Ideally, yes, you would probably want to learn how to model your own objects. Right out of the gate, though, you'll have access to Google's 3D warehouse from within Photoshop. Google's 3D warehouse contains hundreds of 3D objects ready for use. You could use Strata's Design 3D[in] plug-in to edit and retexture those objects with very little prior experience.

If you have real-life objects you wanted to use in your designs, Strata's Foto 3D[in] plug-in is designed to take a series of photographs and turn them into a 3D object for use in Photoshop CS3 Extended.

When you want to take it to the next level, Strata's Design 3D[in] plug-in will let you create entirely new models with industry standard polygonal modeling tools. Design 3D[in] comes with a selection of ready-made models for use in both Photoshop and Design 3D[in], and you'll have access to the large collection of models and textures on StrataCafe.com in Strata format.