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Originally published at Internet.comIf you're a fan of the skins concept used in apps like Winamp and NeoPlanet, 3D-FTP is the perfect FTP client for you. 3D-FTP brings a refreshing new look to a venerable protocol most often served by equally venerable clients. 3D-FTP offers something new and different for the FTP scene; at the same time, a solid feature-set ensures 3D-FTP's chances of being more than just a passing fad.
Thanks to the customizable interface concept known as "skins", 3D-FTP allows you to change the look of the client's interface by designing your own custom-designed skins or downloading one of nearly 25 skins from the 3D-FTP Skins page. The downloadable release of 3D-FTP includes three built-in skins: an 'Xtreme' 3D interface that serves as the default skin for 3D-FTP, an 'FxPanel' interface designed to take advantage of screen resolutions higher than 640x480, and a 'Standard Windows' skin that uses a typical Windows application look.
Version 2.0
The initial release of 3D-FTP also offered appealing 3D interfaces, but its lack of advanced features made the client feel more like a toy than a power tool. The latest edition, v2.0, packages the 3D interfaces to go along with a greatly improved skins system and an extensive set of new features. The result is an FTP client that can hold its own against the best the competition has to offer while still delivering the one feature you won't currently find in competing FTP clients - skins support.
One of the most important new features in version 2.0 is a new API that can be used to programmatically control 3D-FTP. This allows you to create your own plug-in modules for 3D-FTP or download existing plug-ins from the 3D-FTP Plug-ins page. There are two plug-ins included with the v2.0 download: 1) a Mirror-It! plug-in that allows Webmasters to synchronize a remote site with a local computer by automatically transferring new and updated files to the remote site, and 2) a Drag-It! plug-in that automatically downloads Web browser files when you drag a file onto the 3D-FTP Drag-It window.
Additional new features in version 2.0 include a queue for transferring groups of files (with multiple site support), a Net Speed Tester that pings remote FTP sites, excellent remote file editing capabilities, clipboard monitoring, the optional standard windows look, automatic reconnect and download resume, Windows Explorer integration, a minimize to traybar option, an improved connect window, and support for recursive deletes and transfers.
3D-FTP 3.0
Now in beta release, version 3.0 of 3D-FTP takes the client to entirely new levels. The most impressive addition in 3D-FTP 3.0 is the unique Multi-threaded MultiWire downloading engine, which can improve the speed of your multi-file downloads by up to 10x. This engine enables 3D-FTP to automatically make multiple connections to an FTP server and download any number of files simultaneously. You can use the default of four threads or configure the client to use any number of concurrent threads when downloading a group of files.
The developers of 3D-FTP, SiteDesigner Technologies, are justifiably proud of the speedy MultiWire engine and have released a detailed report that compares the new engine with other popular FTP clients. While the MultiWire engine only improves the speed of downloads when you are downloading more than one file, the difference in speed when utilizing MultiWire is quite amazing.
Additional new features in v3.0 include drag and drop support for files from your Web browser to the 3D-FTP window, full HTTP download support (with broken download resume capabilities), the ability to browse and change directories while simultaneously downloading files, Socks 4/5 firewall support, and a completely redesigned interface. For more information on the v3.0 release, check out the 3D-FTP What's New page.
Drawbacks
There are a few drawbacks to 3D-FTP that you need to be aware of when determining whether this is the right FTP client for you. First, the client takes a bit longer to load than most FTP clients, due most likely to the intricacies of the 3D interfaces. The client is also rather annoying in that every possible command - from uploading and downloading files to closing the application - is preceded by a warning message, and each type of message must be turned off individually in order to prevent it from appearing every time in the future.
Quite a few advanced features found in competing clients like FTP Voyager and CuteFTP are also noticeably absent in 3D-FTP. These include a file find feature, filtering capabilities, a customizable toolbar (for the standard Windows interface), site bookmarks, custom commands, macro recording capabilities, and an option for automatic conversion of file names on transfer.
Summary
Overall, 3D-FTP has come a long way in a short period of time and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an FTP client with customizable interface support. But at the same time 3D-FTP still has ground to cover when compared to the most advanced FTP clients currently on the market. At just under $30, 3D-FTP is bound to gain a sizable following, and with a few more feature additions, there will be no reason not to expect more users to flock to the graphically enticing client.
New in v7.0: Antivirus scanning for each downloaded file, local bookmarks, rename multiple selected files, dialog box color themes; Release Notes
Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v6.0: More transfer threads (maximum is now 20), ability to create and edit bookmarks, sceduler (for recurring transfers), session and transfer logging, include and exclude filters for sync, directory total size (with Tree View); Release Notes
Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v5.0: New SiteManager, synchronize directories feature, show directory total size option, print directory listings, ability to customize toolbar, StickyQueue, mousewheel scrolling support, user-definable external editor, site import capabilities (from CuteFTP, WS-FTP, etc.), VMS server support, bug fixes for v4.0 releases; Release Notes
Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v4.0: Enhanced multi-threaded MultiWire download engine (increases download speeds by up to 10x), improvements to standard look skin (faster startup and new toolbars/menu systems), tons of bug fixes for v3.0 beta release; Release Notes
Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v3.0: Multi-threaded MultiWire download engine (increases download speeds by up to 10x), full HTTP download support (with broken download resume), drag and drop support from Web browser to 3D-FTP window, browse and change directories while downloading files, Socks 4/5 firewall support, completely redesigned interface; Notes
Upgrade Meter: 3
Author: Forrest Stroud
Read article at Internet.com site