2D vs. 3D Animation: A Short Debate on the Individuality

March-03-2023
6 Min Read
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Posted by: Lilliana Clark
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Table of Contents
- 2D versus 3D animation: Is this a war between the two?
- The Expansion of 3D with the Evolvement of Technologies
- Pros and Cons of 2D Animation
- Pros and Cons of 3D Animation
- Process of 2D Animation
- Process of 3D Animation
- Popular 2D Animated Games
- Popular Animated 3D Games
- 3D Animation Tools: Paid and Free Resources
- 2D Animation Tools: Paid and Free Resources
- 2.5D Animation
- Bottom Line
- Hire InvoGames to Make 2D and 3D Animations for Your Next Game Development Project
Regarding Mario, 2D and 3D animations significantly differ based on the angle and dimensions. To be precise, 2D animations are limited to the width and height of the art, whereas 3D animation involves length, width, and height (3-dimensional).
2D versus 3D animation: Is this a war between the two?
Actually, no. 2D and 3D animation stand in their individuality and serve different purposes, whether it is in gaming, filming, or other industry.
2D Animations
To define first, 2D animations are developed in two-dimensional space, which confines the limitations of length and breadth. 2D animations are flat and usually formed in sequential images at the speed of 24fps. It entails that a sequence of 24 pictures in 1 second can be adjusted to make 2D animations and motion graphics.
3D Animations
3D animations are developed in three-dimensional space and are not confined to any dimensional limits. Such animations are created in the XYZ plane or axis, i.e., length, breadth, and width.
The Expansion of 3D with the Evolvement of Technologies
Gone are the days when 3D was a three-dimensional and standalone thing in this open world. When people hear the word ‘3D,’ they think of video games, movies, and films. Interestingly, 3D has evolved with the speed of light while setting benchmarks in the gaming industry with its three main aspects of passivity, interactivity, and immersion.
The question is how?
3D has made its way to virtual and augmented reality, which has proven to be a game changer in the industry. Augmented and virtual reality are the new evangelists for 3D animations and graphics that people look forward to. The audience wants to see the new horizon, and we are indeed moving toward it using AR/VR and the metaverse.
Let’s take a look at them.
Passive 3D Animation
Such 3D animations are purely visual and are deprived of the interactive or immersive factor, which gives them the name of passive 3D animation. Furthermore, passive 3D animations are best for serving the fundamental purposes of businesses and game development as they are widely used in both markets. It is further supported by a report shared by Statista that unveils the global market value of 3D animation i.e., 18 US Billion dollars which is expected to surpass 27 billion dollars by 2026.
Interactive 3D Animation: Augmented Reality in 3D
The horizon of 3D animations is expanding with augmented reality and making animations out of it. Who would have thought of making reality a part of the animation? Right?
With the advancement of technology, we have come across the inclusion of animations or objects in the real-time background. Businesses, whether for marketing or game development purposes, leverage interactive 3D animation to create engaging content for the audience and players, respectively.
It is undoubtedly a progressive step towards bringing innovation and advancements to 3D animation - no wonder the hype and popularity of 3D animations are ravishing.
Immersive 3D Animation: Virtual Reality in 3D
You must have heard of virtual reality - the new buzz!
Virtual reality and 3D animation work in tandem to create a realistic and immersive experience of the gaming world that lets players delve into the virtual world using VR headsets and devices. From 3D arcade games and adventure games to RPGs and MMOG, virtual reality gives us a comprehensive platform to expand our gaming experience and take it to the next level.
Did you know that Virtual reality can even stimulate our olfactory sensations? Yes, it’s true. A Company in Vermont primarily produces scent technology for virtual reality by which users or players can smell virtual objects.