XAML was originally promoted as bringing 3D to Windows apps....

"‘Avalon’ is the code name for the next generation of the windows presentation system. This will provide a whole new vector-based 3D graphics system that will combine windows, documents and media content into a new rich presentation layer that can be programmed using XAML (Extensible Application Mark-up Language – pronounced “zammel”).
Avalon takes and combines the relative strengths of programming with WinFX and mark-up language (XAML) to provide a greater level of abstraction between data and rendering in the user interface. This all amounts to a more lightweight and easier-to-program 3D graphical interface. "