What is the Difference between 2d and 3d Animation?

Today due to screens’ domination in our lives, animation gradually becomes part of our everyday life. Animation is one of the quickest developing fields in the past many years. From our most loved childhood heroes springing up in cartoon networks to energizing epic fight scenes in computer games, to deliver astonishing activity in Hollywood films, the movement has been setting the world on fire since its beginning. From the wonderful realm of Disney to the surreal world of Avatar, animation has made its presence felt everywhere around you.

The key to all these incredible animations is two methods 2d animation and 3d animation. Despite the fact that both these two methods are extremely like one another, they both have widely different characteristics and features. So in this blog, we’ll talk about all the differences between 2d and 3d animation types, as indicated by their components, styles, advantages and disadvantages.

What is Animation?

Before we start discussing the differences between 2d and 3d animation, let’s get a brief idea about what is animation to make sure that we are all on the same page.

In simple words, animation is the art of bringing still images or objects to life through movement. It involves creating an illusion of movement by displaying a series of images, frames or models in quick sequences. This can be achieved by using various techniques, including drawing, modelling, or manipulating digital images.

Animation is about giving life and personality to non-living things so they may tell stories, invoke feelings, and interact with viewers in an engaging and visually fascinating way.

Among various styles of animation 2d animation and 3d animation styles are some of the most common and learn more about them – read on.

What is 2d animation?

2d animation, also known as two-dimensional animation, brings characters and worlds to life in a two-dimensional space which means it has height and weight, but no depth.

The creation process of 2d animation mainly involves two techniques: hand-drawn and digital software. In hand-drawn animation, the artist sketches every single frame by hand where each frame depicts subtle movements in character or object. But now, with the advancement of technology animators are using digital software to create characters, backgrounds and special effects, which can significantly help streamline the process.

Advantages of 2d animation –

Whether it is a hand-drawn or digital software animation, the 2d animation style has certain advantages;

• Style and artistic freedom – 2d animation offers efficiency and artistic freedom to the animators to experiment with different art styles. From bold outlines of a classic cartoon style to the minimalist design of explainer videos, the possibilities with 2d animation are endless. This offers the artistic freedom to the animators to play with colours, shapes, and movements without any limitations of the real world.
• Easier and quicker production – Compared with 3d animation, the manufacturing procedure of 2d animation generally takes much less time and needs much fewer resources. Animators may utilize digital software to accelerate the process without affecting the general quality. As a result of these 2d animation is ideal for projects with limited time and little budget.
• More cost-effective – Because of its easier manufacturing process and the low amount of resources required, 2d animation costs less than 3d animation style. Due to this fact a lot more content creators can benefit from it, including small businesses and solo artists who want to include stunning graphics into their work.

Examples of 2d animation –

• Traditional cartoons – The majority of the childhood cartoon characters we grew up with were made by using this 2d animation style. Traditional Disney movies like, “Cinderella”, “Sleeping Beauty” and Warner Bros “Looney Tunes” are perfect examples. They not only symbolized the golden age of animation but also proved the timeless beauty of 2d animation.

• Explainer Videos– 2d animation is also used to produce explainer videos. Explainer videos are used to simplify complicated ideas into an easily understandable format. Because of their simple nature, 2d explainer videos became an ideal solution for educational content and business presentations to get their concepts across clearly and succinctly.

• Motion Graphic – Motion graphic is a combination of graphic and 2d animation that produces visually pleasing content. This animation style is used in advertisement, marketing and broadcasting design to animate logos and texts.

What is 3d Animation?

3d animation, also known as three-dimensional animation, brings characters and worlds to life in a three-dimensional space. Unlike 2d animation which only has height and weight, 3d animation also adds depth with height and weight to give the object a more realistic appearance and create lifelike scenes.

The process of creating 3d animation involves multiple steps, such as;

• 3d modelling- In this 3d modelling step the artist creates the virtual shapes of characters, objects, and environments.
• Rigging – Rigging is mainly creating a bone structure of a 3d model which is essential to create character movement.
• Animation – This step involves bringing life to the model by posing and moving it frame-by-frame to create a smooth flow of motion.
• Rendering – Rendering is the final step where the software processes all the information about the characters, textures, lighting, and animation to produce the final output.

Advantages of 3d animation –

Here are some major advantages of using the 3d animation style;

• Realistic visuals – The advantage of using 3d animation is that it can produce highly realistic visuals. Because of adding depth and detail in 3d animation, it makes it possible to create characters and environments that are close to real life.
• Greater Flexibility in Movement – The 3d animation style offers great flexibility in terms of character movement and camera angle. This style allows animators to move the character in any direction and camera angles can pan or zoom to create a realistic viewing experience.
• Potential for adding VFX- Animators can also add special effects and VFX to create eye-catching scenes in movies and games. Whether it is an explosion or a mythical creature, this feature makes it perfect to create for genres like fantasy, sci-fi, or action.

Example of 3d animation –

• Feature films – The 3d animation technique is a staple in the movie business, thanks to the works of animation giants such as Pixar and Dreamworks. Many of the iconic films like, “Toy Story”, “Finding Nemo”, and “Shrek” have used 3d animation techniques to animate storytelling with a detailed and fantastical world for their audience.

• Video Games – 3d animation has also become an essential part of creating an exciting gaming experience. The complex environment and interactive player experience of video games such as “The Witcher 3”, “Uncharted”, and “Cyberpunk 2077” are made possible by 3D animation.
• Architectural Visualizations – Architects and designers use the 3d animation style to create realistic models of buildings or projects before construction. This allows clients to get a better idea about layout, design, lighting or materials which helps to get an idea about potential design issues and necessary adjustments in the early process.

Which one should you choose between 2d and 3d animation?

As we have discussed above, both 2d and 3d animation have their unique characteristics. To choose which animation style is going to be best for your project you should consider the following topics;

• Style and Tone of the Project –

The style and tone of a certain project play a crucial role in selecting the animation style. For example, 2d animation can create a sense of nostalgia and simplicity. So, it can be an ideal choice if your project aims to create a classic, artistic or nostalgic feeling. 2D can also be more flexible in creating exaggerated, stylized motions and expressions.

On the other hand, 3d animation focuses more on creating a lifelike and realistic experience with detailed textures and lighting. It can be a better choice for projects with a modern, polished and dynamic look. It is also suitable for creating complex scenes and environments that require a high level of detail and realism.

• Budget and Timeline –

The budget and timeline are also factors to consider before choosing between these two animation styles. 2d animation is mostly faster and less expensive to create, especially for simpler projects. Although it can become time-consuming and costly if the project requires detailed frame-by-frame work.

Whereas 3d animation typically requires a higher budget and more time. Creating a high-quality 3d animation is complex and resource-intensive and requires skilled artists and advanced software that can increase the cost of the project.

• Target Audience –

You should always select the animation style based on the target audience of your project. Children mostly prefer the 2d animation style because of its vibrant colours and expressiveness. On the other hand, 3d animation can be more suitable for a mature audience who wants to get a realistic and immersive experience.

Here are some examples of projects that can you choose which animation style is better according to your requirements;

2d animation style –

• Explainer videos to explain about a product or service
• Educational content to explain complex concepts in an easily understandable way
• Humorous content that requires exaggeration and cartoon characters

3d animation style –

• Feature films with complex action sequences and realistic visuals
• Architectural visuals to create a realistic model of a building design
• Video games with realistic 3d environments for the players

Conclusion –

In conclusion, the key difference between 2d and 3d animation lies in its creation process and visual appeal. 2d animation has a flat, hand-drawn look, with simplicity and artistic expression. Whereas 3d animation offers a more immersive and realistic experience because of its depth and realism.

However, it is important to remember that they are neither fundamentally “better” than others. The best choice depends on your project’s goal, budget and target audience. Based on that you can choose 2d animation, 3d animation, or a blend of these two styles to create stunning visuals.

The stories told and the emotions expressed are ultimately what give animation its charm, not the methods used. Whether you go with 2D, 3D, or a mix of both, the most crucial element is to implement your idea in a way that attracts your target audience.