Although we live in a three-dimensional world, this does not at all mean that two-dimensionality is losing ground and disappearing into history. Take a look around and you will see that the 2D animation is staring at you from everywhere:
- The world-famous cartoon series continue their victorious run that began in the last century.
- Developers return to the genre of platform games, latently feeling their inexhaustible potential and possibilities for improvement.
- Web design and presentation direction simply cannot do without 2D – this is an obvious thing.
Some say that a 3D artist does not need to be able to draw since software greatly simplifies the modeling procedure, and other experts are still involved in concepts. Some believe that 2D animation is futile (despite the admonitions above) and even cite some semblance of evidence for this.
Modern 2D animation company is aware that 2D is still in the saddle and holds great promise. We’re just going to talk about the difference between 2D and 3D animation and their role in the modern digital world. Each of them has its own crown place – it can be said right away.
In a Two-Dimensional World: What is 2D
Two dimensions – width and height – here’s everything you need to know about 2D. Flat objects drawn on a sheet of paper without measuring depth – square, a circle, a triangle – come from a two-dimensional world.
Why is 2D animation considered difficult? Because all the drawings are done by hand. First, the animator must understand what will be animated: the movement of the character, the shift of the object, the wiggle of the leaves, and so on. To indicate this movement, it is necessary to create a large number of drawings, each of which will be slightly different from the previous one by the progress of the movement, which is the main one.
One second of animation is 24 frames. The pattern is changed every two frames. Thus, the patterns with slight changes arranged one after the other create the appearance of a smooth and natural movement.
Only the visible side of the object matters. If, for example, there is only the character’s head in the frame, which is saying something and it is necessary to animate the movement of the face, then there is no need to draw the whole body. On the other hand, if you need to show the head from behind, you will have to draw everything from scratch.
Light & Dark Sides of 2D Animation
We have done a cursory examination of this concept. It now makes sense to summarize the main details.
So, the advantages of 2D animation are:
- Acceptable learning curve (if the person can draw).
- Fairly fast and easy production.
- Not very high cost.
- Ability to focus on gameplay rather than graphics.
- High level of fantasy freedom.
There are also some controversial points. We call them that way since shortcomings are too strong a word that really claims to be objective:
- Less realism.
- Slightly less demand compared to 3D.
- Cannot be reused like some 3D models.
The question “is 3D animation cheaper than 2D” is often asked. It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer since it all depends on the complexity of the project. In general, it is still generally accepted that 2D animation is cheaper due to the fact that it is easier to learn, software costs much less, and much less preparatory steps are required.
Next Stop: 3D Animation
If we add the dimension of depth to the 2D world, then we suddenly find ourselves in a completely different space. This is our 3D: a cube, a ball, a cylinder, and other figures that can be twisted and viewed from all sides. Unlike flat objects, they take up a certain volume.
When considering the duet 2D vs 3D animation, first of all, attention is paid to the comprehensive visibility of the latter and the visual limitations of the former. Besides, 3D animation is the movement of three-dimensional objects, that is, pre-made models, each of which is a klondike of details and textures.
Light & Dark Sides of 3D Animation
The main advantages of 3D animation are:
- The ability to achieve incredible levels of realism.
- Nearly limitless detail options.
- The ability to reuse 3D models.
- Comprehensive visibility and easier modification if required.
As before, we will also highlight some ambiguous points:
- Certain limitations due to tight binding to software and software settings.
- Sharp learning curve.
- High price.
- Continuous production.
(Guide) 2D Animation vs 3D Animation: Which is Better
We agree that there is no point in having a battle and choosing the winner and the loser. As already mentioned, 2D animation occupies its own niche and is not going to give up positions at all. In turn, 3D is conquering the world with a confident gait, modifying the cinema, gaming industry, virtual and augmented reality, and so on.
The abundance of materials and readily available software has brought dual benefits to the animation industry. On the one hand, those wishing to become animators will not see any special informational obstacles on their way. On the other hand, a large number of beginners, overly confident in their abilities, but lacking experience, can confuse serious projects that are looking for outsourcers.
To avoid this, it is better to contact not individual freelancers, but outsourcing companies with experience in game development and game animation. Check out https://kevurugames.com/: this team has an impressive portfolio of 2D and 3D animation work and is ready to take on projects of any complexity.
