Basic differences between 2D and 3D icons design
Speaking about 3d Icons we need to point out that the light source plays an extremely essential role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. Certainly the using several light sources in web page design today is preferable but bear in mind that they should follow fundamental laws of physics and stay truthful. A few lights usually make 3D 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 definitely represent volume to less extent than 3D Icons. Usually the images are flat and show 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 do not forget that 3D is nothing but mathematical replication of the data that unfortunately restricts its usage. In some case 3D objects like 3D Icons may be effectively 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.Software used for 3D modeling enables to create that 3D dimension. It is very important show 3D icons in correlation with the other objects in the neighborhood and the environment they are placed into.