3D Icons and 2D Icons Important Tips

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

As for the 3d Icons the light source plays important role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. It's appropriate and even advisable to use several light sources in web design today however they should follow fundamental laws of physics and be truthful. If you would like 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 different ways of creating this illusion. 2D Icons can definitely 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. The shades usage is limited as well.

3D icons have all these functions instead. Nevertheless don't forget that 3D is nothing but mathematical replication of the data that however limits its usage. In some case 3D objects like 3D Icons may be successfully replaced by 2D ones or by the videos with the sounds. 3D dimension can be achieved with the software used for 3D modeling. Just remember that, 3D icons should be depicted in correlation with the other objects and the environment they are placed into.