Help making things look 3D

[TheSongSalad]

Ok, so I started working with flash by writing actionscript for games. I've made a few games now, but unless it was shapes and such, not without another person working as an artist. I've decided I want to learn how to make better art on my own in flash, and I'm starting to use gradients to make objects appear 3D in the context of a pong game.

Here is the .swf of part of the game:

http://www.newgrounds.com/dump/item/b78c 258d73fecc12eff025d6764793cb

(Don't click on WTF mode, as there's nothing there. Just click on "Classic")

My biggest issue is getting the player and the enemy paddles to appear 3D like the ball does. I am at a total loss, and art has never been my strong suit. So, I'm asking around here to try to see if anyone can help me. What colors would work, using a different technique, etc.

I'm afraid any advice will have to be spelled out a lot, as I'm a total novice at flash art, but I do know where everything is, how to use all the tools, and I'm very good with actionscript. I'm using Flash MX 2004 (I'm unsure if this is important with animations, I imagine that there are different tools, etc. for different versions of flash).

Any other suggestions that might come to you while looking at the file are very welcome as well. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Zyphonee]

There really isn't any way to make proper 3D on Flash unless it's done with actionscript, so quit trying to achieve the effect just by using gradients which do nothing but look ugly (unless really well executed) and try to focus on giving the illusion of volume with with some other approach, such as better shading and perspective.

[TheSongSalad]

alright, as I said, I'm new to the whole animation aspect of flash. thanks for the advice.