I don’t think actual 3d geometry is mandatory to add depth to UI. Even flat elements can be arranged in 3D space, and it doesn’t even need to be actual 3d space – elements can simply output their depth values directly to the z-buffer, which should be enough to create the illusion of depth. You know – have buttons a little higher than their parent dialog and move up and down when pressed and released, have pop-ups actually pop in front of not merely on top of… Not really 3d but what people in the industry refer to as 2.5d :) It will only take a single extra property.
Naturally, actual 3d geometry will make the effect even more convincing.
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