Ok i am going to show you how to make a 3d style background WITHOUT using renders.
1.Open up a new document 400x125 transperant background
2.Now search on the internet for random pictures they can be pictures of anything.I am going to use some pictures off baltimore since thats where im from.
3.Now copy and paste some pictures and change the blending modes of each layer till you get a cool effect.

thats what i got just from using 4 pictures of baltimore.This is how i get most of my 3d effects.every once and a while i will use a render.