[Inkscape-user] Howto make 3D and transparency

Dear readers,

I was wondering, is it possible to make bar charts like this one?

http://www.heko.dk/~maj/bars.gif

So far have I only tried to make simple 2D drawings in Inkscape. So does anyone know, if it at all is possible to make 3D stuff and transparency like this in Inkscape?

Lots of love, Louise