Both 2D and 3D animation have been the most popular technologies being commonly used for creating an animated frame, nowadays. But, there are a few significant differences between them.
So, let’s have a look at what it is?
2D Animation
2D animations are also known as 2D vector animation as they are created on frames of relatively flat surfaces. It has adapted its range of methods from the old traditional, hand-drawn animation works. Being the most conventional animation, it is done using the principal processes of drawing and painting using hand, however, these days, 2D animators also use computer graphics programs for creating these.
How 2D Animation Works?
In vector graphics programs, the objects and images remain as geometric descriptions that exist independently of each other. This helps in changing the layers and position of any of the aspects of the object at any point of time in collaboration with the modern vector graphics tools. This also uses the traditional methods of the frame-by-frame animation, morphing (a visual effect giving the impression of a smooth transformation of one object to the other), deformation of images, cyclic light change, and numerous optical effects. The most popular 2D animation programs are:
- CorelDraw
- Macromedia FreeHand
- Adobe Illustrator
- Photo Graphics
- Animation Shop
- Macromedia Director
- Animation Works Interactive.
3D Animation
3D animation remains totally different from other animation types that involve computer graphics. Even though, the similar principles of composition, movement, and technical methods intended to solve different tasks are used, for creating a 3D animation, animators don’t necessarily need outstanding drawing skills. These are also termed as computer-generated images (CGI) as they are related to a fusion of dynamic and static images with the help of computer graphics. Objects made by using 3D animation are then digitally displayed on the screen and combined with the wireframe for enabling each animated entity in various ways.
How it’s created?
The process of 3D animation is similar to the process of making mannequins or dolls and goes as per the below-mentioned process:-
- Creating the object frame
- Identifying the materials to be ‘put on’ it
- Combining everything in a single scene
- Setting the lighting and camera
- Specifying the number of frames and relative movement of the objects
- The movement of the 3D animation objects is mainly defined by trajectories, keyframes, and applying formulas that will be linking the motion of the parts of the complex structures. For creating realistic 3D images, the animators involve a range of diverse techniques such as- inverse kinematics, etc. along with most recent methods of combining both video recording and animation effect.
Some of the well-known 3D animation editors are:-
● 3D Studio MAX● LightWave3D● ElectricImage● SoftImage3D● soft/X Pro
This is how both the forms are significant in it and have their own significance! So, which one are you looking for?
