2d icons vs 3d icons

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

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

The aim 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. 2D Icons can definitely represent volume to less extent than 3D Icons. Among the disadvantages of 2D Icons are flat images that show just one perspective. Detailed highlights and imperceptible soft shadows are missing as a rule. Also the shades usage is really limited.

3D web icons have all these features instead. Nevertheless dont forget that 3D is nothing but mathematical replication of the data that however restricts its usage. In some case 3D objects like 3D Icons may be successfully replaced by 2D ones or by the videos with the sounds. The sounds give additional dimensionality to the videos that actually use 2D images.3D dimension can be produced due to the software used for 3D modeling. Bear in mind that 3D icons should be depicted in correlation with the other objects and the environment they're placed into.