Who is the winner - 2D icons or 3D icons?

2D and 3D web icons design - what's the difference?

Speaking about 3d Icons we should point out that the light source plays a very important role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. For sure the using several light sources in webpage design today is preferable but remember that they should follow fundamental laws of physics and be truthful. So if you would like to make 3D icons look softer and more realistic - use several lights.

The aim of 2D and 3D icons is to represent the volume found in the three-dimensional world but 2D and 3D icons obtain this illusion by using different means. 2D Icons can undoubtedly represent volume to less extent than 3D Icons. One of the minuses of 2D Icons are flat images that 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 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 successfully replaced by 2D ones or by the videos with the sounds. 3D dimension can be created with the software used for 3D modeling. It is very important depict 3D icons in correlation with the other objects in the neighborhood and the environment they are placed into.