Basic differences between 2D and 3D icons design
Speaking about 3d Icons we need to point out that the light source plays a really essential role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. It is acceptable and even advisable to use several light sources in web page design nowadays however they should follow basic rules of physics and be truthful. A few lights generally make 3D web icons look softer and much more realistic.
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 certainly represent volume to less extent than 3D Icons. More often the images are flat and present 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 got all these features instead. Nevertheless won't forget that 3D is nothing but mathematical replication of the data that unfortunately 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. The sounds give some extra dimensionality to the videos that actually use 2D images.3D dimension can be produced with the software used for 3D modeling. It is very important show 3D icons in correlation with the other objects in the neighborhood and the environment they are placed into.
