3Planesoft Screensavers Review

Screensavers remain a popular way to personalize Windows, despite the advent of energy saving technology eliminating the need for the screen to remain turned off while the computer is idle.

Back in the early days of screensavers, the "flying toasters" screensaver was considered a creative innovation. Today, 3D environments, rivaling graphics from some of the best computer games available, are making an impact while the computer screen sits idle. 3Planesoft, a new screensaver company, now uses 3D graphics card technologies and takes screensavers to a whole new level.

3Planesoft makes six 3D screensaver products -- all with outstanding detail. Multiple angles, creative lighting, realistic sounds, smooth motion, and interesting transitions will keep you staring at the screen to see what comes next. My all-time personal favorites are Galleon 3D Screensaver and Watermill 3D Screensaver (below).

Galleon 3D Screensaver

Modeled after an historic Spanish galleon, this boat sails the high seas of your desktop, shifting perspective from at-a-distance shot of the entire ship, to first person views of the deck. Cannon fire, boards creaking, and waves breaking against the ship provide a soundscape for day-to-night transitions in lighting of a ship sailing across the water. Customize the ship by selecting the flag representing your country, or create your own custom flag to use instead.

To download the Galleon 3D Screensaver:

http://www.infopackets.com/articles/screensaver+galleon.htm

Watermill 3D Screensaver

Peaceful sounds of nature, combined with water running through a mill wheel, set the tone for a soothing, scenic tour around a deserted watermill. Reflections from the water and smooth motion of the mill add to the realism created by the sound effects. The one disappointment with this screensaver is provided by rather unnatural looking trees, evoking memories of some first-person shooter game gone awry.

To download the Watermill 3D Screensaver:

http://www.infopackets.com/articles/screensaver+watermill.htm

Spirit of Fire3D Screensaver

A very realistic fireplace set in a rustic cabin setting. Crackling and popping from the fire adds sounds of serenity to the scene.

To download the Spirit of Fire 3D Screensaver:

http://www.infopackets.com/articles/screensaver+sofire.htm

Discovery 3D Screensaver

Explore a study designed to replicate the chambers of a Medieval scholar. Camera angles shift to traverse the entirety of the room, providing a glimpse into a fictional past. Thorough attention was given to all details of the room.

To download the Discovery 3D Screensaver:

http://www.infopackets.com/articles/screensaver+discovery.htm

Fantasy Moon 3D Screensaver

This is the perfect screensaver for Halloween. Creepy noises and animal sounds follow along through a forest that seems to be haunted. A unique perspective will leave you believing something could be sneaking up from behind. Graphics are very detailed, but look more like a cartoon than some of the other offerings in this collection.

To download the Fantasy Moon 3D Screensaver:

http://www.infopackets.com/articles/screensaver+fmoon.htm

Nautilus 3D Screensaver

Virtual underwater submarine exploration with realistic panoramic scenes of sunken treasures. View sunken ships, underwater castles, and other detailed underwater experiences, all from the perspective of being safely behind the glass of an underwater diving vessel. Shift perspective to see the submarine break the surface of waves, before diving underwater for another trip past detailed underwater scenes.

To download the Nautilus 3D Screensaver:

http://www.infopackets.com/articles/screensaver+nautilus.htm

Conclusion

Screensavers are no longer required to protect your monitor from burning the image of whatever is on the screen permanently into the picture tube: instead, they've become an entertaining diversion. 3D rendering capabilities of graphics cards make some amazing screensaver imagery possible. To harness the power of your graphics card, download any of these six screensavers and take them for a test drive.

If you happen to like any of the screensavers, 3Planesoft offers $3.00 off each additional screensaver you purchase when buying one at regular price ($12.95 each).