Every object in 3D Flying Objects. From left to right: Windows Logo, Explode, Ribbon, Two Ribbons, Splash, Twist, Textured Flag.
3D Flying Objects is a screen saver included with some versions of Microsoft Windows. It was first introduced in Windows NT 4.0 and comes with every subsequent version of Microsoft Windows up to Windows XP. The screen saver's file name is "ss3dfo.scr".
From Windows NT 4.0 to Windows Me, 3D Flying Objects was rendered with OpenGL. In Windows XP, the screen saver was remade to utilize Direct3D.
Description[]
This screen saver depicts the selected object moving across a black screen while constantly displaying its respective animation.
Windows Logo is an object resembling the Microsoft Windows logo. Initially, it resembled the logo of Windows 95 through Windows Me, being made of many small black segments alongside the four larger colored tiles; the logo would quickly flap. The Windows XP version of 3D Flying Objects changes the Windows Logo to a slower square flag representing the colors of the Windows XP logo. When the flag reaches the center in this version, it morphs into the official Windows XP logo.
Explode is a red ball that is disassembled into square-shaped confetti. Each piece of confetti surrounds the area the circle occupied and rotates in place. The confetti are then reassembled into a circle.
Ribbon is a green, thick string that constantly bends its shape, often overlapping with itself. Two Ribbons depicts this ribbon alongside a blue ribbon that behaves identically. The two ribbons move along in the same direction, as if they were a single object.
Splash is a short, purple cylinder that constantly rotates. A droplet appears from above it and lands on the top of the cylinder, creating a ripple effect on its surface akin to a liquid.
Twist is a yellow band that stretches itself along its two ends. Portions of the band shift through one another, often forming a figure-8 shape.
Textured Flag is a horizontal sheet of paper that constantly flaps like a flag. It can be textured after any picture set by the user. Its default appearance in Windows XP gives it a blue background with text reading "experience" over it. The text is white, except for the letters "xp", which are orange.
Settings[]
The Object Style determines which object is featured in the screen saver. The options are: Windows Logo (selected by default), Explode, Ribbon, Two Ribbons, Splash, Twist, and Textured Flag.
Under Color Usage, there are two options which can each be enabled or disabled. These are:
- Color-cycling (disabled by default): When enabled, causes the object to constantly change colors, instead of using its default color. Can be selected for any Style except for Windows Logo and Textured Flag. Prior to Windows XP, the Windows Logo could be set to Color-cycling as well.
- Smooth shading (enabled by default): When disabled, changes the texture of the object to be made of clearly visible quadrilateral faces with solid colors. Can be selected for any Style except for Windows Logo.
The Resolution slider determines how complex the rendering of the object is. This can be set from Min to Max. At lower levels, objects are clearly made of more straight lines instead of smooth surfaces. It can be adjusted for any Style except for Windows Logo.
The Size slider determines how large the object is. This can be set from Min to Max. It can be adjusted for any Style except for Windows Logo.
The Texture settings are accessible only when Textured Flag is selected under Style. This button opens Windows Explorer to allow the user to select any .bmp image file on the computer, which will serve as the texture of the flag.
The Display settings allow the user to select a resolution and color depth matching their monitor, as well as enable or disable 3D hardware rendering.