How can I get this effect in photoshop?

here are a couple of sigs made by a few members of a forum i visit..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/itsjojo/jojosigczarina7uz.jpg

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4416/template22jj3le.jpg

both have been created using Paint Shop Pro and i am quite fascinated by the "3D" effect the images have...

..with photoshop being what it is.. I am sure this is possible ..but I have no idea.. I have tried so many things and nothing comes close...

anybody got any ideas how to get this dreamy/blurred 3D effect in photoshop?

thanks for any help!!

Give this method a try. Make a copy of the layer. On the bottom layer apply a gaussian blur of around 10. On the top layer change the blending mode to Soft Light. You should end up with that soft "vaseline on the lens" look. Mess a bit with the amount of blur, and the opacity of the top layer, to fine tune.

Just one of many ways, and I'm sure you'll get more suggestions.

wow thanks for that - it certainly created the dreamy effect .... wonder how I can improve on the 3D element, which is very noticeable on the lower sig posted above..

..thanks for your help though...