ANSWERS: 4
  • In 2D you work on lenght and width to animate an object by varying its relative shape. In 3 D, you work in a depth perspective as well so that the object assumes a more realistic appearance through the manipulation of shading and the vanishing point.
  • To that excellent, succinct, answer, I'd add that 2D tends to look "flatter" than 3D (due to the natural limitations of the horizontal and vertical planes). As Joe-Speedy says, 3D introduces "depth perspective," so we not only see a rectangle (2D) but a CUBE (3D). You may want to think of it like being the difference between a photograph of a glass of water (2D) and being able to reach out and actually pick up the glass of water (3D). Another good visual might be comparing a cartoon (say, Bugs Bunny - 2D) to "Toy Story 1,2 & 3" (3D). Typically, 2D involves "drawing," or movement on, say, a flat surface (sketch pad, etc.) or in the vertical and horizontal planes. 3D involves "modeling," i.e., creating objects in 3-dimensions, residing in an expansive virtual environment, replete with lights, reflections, other objects, shadows, etc.
  • 2D animation is drawing each frame (either 12 or 24 drawings per second). 3D animation is moving an already-existing 3D model (like you would a highly-advanced action figure) frame-by-frame to create the illusion of movement.
  • 2D is an abbreviation for two dimensional and refers to animation that does not incorporate an attempt to project depth. 3D is an abbreviation for three dimensional and is a style of animation that creates the illusion of depth through an array of techniques.

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