The battle between 2D icons and 3D icons

Differences between 2D and 3D web icons design

Speaking about 3d Icons we should point out that the source of light plays a very important role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. It's appropriate and even advisable to use several light sources in website design today however they should follow fundamental rules of physics and be truthful. If you need to make 3D icons look softer and 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 obtain this illusion working with diverse means. Definitely the volume can be displayed by 3D Icons to much more extent than 2D Icons. Usually 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 can be proud of all these features instead. But 3D is mathematical replication of the data which anyway limits 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. 3D dimension can be produced due to the software used for 3D modeling. It is recommended to show 3D icons in correlation with the other objects in the neighborhood and the environment they are placed into.