[Make a 3D-Shield Icon]

Well, here is my take on the technique using a gradient kaleidoscope as the base image. Backdrop and drop shadows added to give it some additional definition as it is rather faint or too odd looking on a simpler backdrop. Also loses some of the 3D element as well without the shadow ... odd as that may seem.

Click for larger:

[Ahmed's Plugins ..]

None of the hidden portions in the first post (First Post Link) work to show what these do. While obvious on something like 3D text, a simple short text description is helpful.

Just thought you might wish to resolve them again.