The struggle between 2D icons and 3D icons

Differences between 2D and 3D web icons design

As for the 3d Icons the light source plays essential role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. It's appropriate and even advisable to use several light sources in web site design today however they should follow fundamental laws of physics and be truthful. So if you want to make 3D web icons look softer and more realistic - use several lights.

Both 2D and 3D icons represent the volume found in the three-dimensional world but use various means of creating this illusion. 2D Icons can certainly represent volume to less extent than 3D Icons. More often the images are flat and show just one perspective. Detailed highlights and imperceptible soft shadows are missing as a rule. Also the shades usage is really limited.

3D icons can be proud of all these features instead. But 3D is mathematical replication of the data which in any case limits its usage. In some case 3D objects like 3D Icons may be effectively replaced by 2D ones or by the videos with the sounds. 3D dimension can be created due to the software used for 3D modeling. Bear in mind that 3D icons need to be depicted in correlation with the other objects and the environment they are placed into.