The struggle between 2D icons and 3D icons

2D and 3D icons design - what is the big difference?

Speaking about 3d Icons we need to point out that the source of light plays a really important role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. It is appropriate and even recommended to use several light sources in web page design today but they should follow basic laws of physics and be truthful. So if you want to make 3D web icons look softer and much more realistic - use several lights.

The purpose of 2D and 3D icons is to represent the volume found in the three-dimensional world but 2D and 3D icons get this illusion working with different means. Without doubt the volume can be displayed by 3D Icons to more extent than 2D Icons. Usually the images are flat and show just one perspective. To this drawback you can also add another one - detailed highlights and imperceptible soft shadows are missing. The shades usage is restricted as well.

3D icons have got all these features instead. Nevertheless do not forget that 3D is nothing but mathematical replication of the data that unfortunately restricts its usage. In some cases you can easily replace 3D Icons by 2D ones or by the videos with the sounds - but all this depends on situation. The sounds give some extra dimensionality to the videos that actually use 2D images.Software used for 3D modeling enables to create that 3D dimension. It is very important show 3D icons in correlation with the other objects in the neighborhood and the environment they are placed into.