Today I found one of the first videos someone made of Roth UI ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8GQFPRIH1o
Video is from 2008.
The animation is based on
http://www.wowinterface.com/download...07-Disco2.html. Basically a huge texture with many orb slice images that alternate via OnUpdate. That technique has its merits though. You need a lot of slices for a smooth animation and fps hick-ups will screw you over.