[IMAGE]
any questions?

Um, how does this help? No offense or anything, I just don't get it :/

BTW, I like the first one best. Very stylish.

You lack a lot of detail on how to for most people to comprehend.

Personally, I do not understand how is this better than shading a polygon's bottom with a very dark tone, and the top of it with a very light one. You kinda get the same effect, with much less polygons.

i would understand if the middle was lighter and the outside darker...then it would look like a pipe

Every person has it's own way of shading it's maps. Every single one is different and therefore original. There shouldn't be any shading tutorials because art doesn't have limits set by them.
Conclusion: Shade your maps your own way.

@raptor-
good point, but i like showing off my styles :P

@you nay-sayers

[IMAGE]
omg^ ^
if you make the polys and sifferent sizes, and follow the tut, they look cool^

Well, I think this can help new mappers the basics =)