Who's the winner - 2D icons or 3D icons?

2D and 3D icons comparative analysis

When it comes to 3d Icons the light source plays essential role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. Certainly the using several light sources in web page design today is preferable but take into account that they should follow basic rules of physics and be truthful. If you want to make 3D icons look softer and much more realistic - use several lights.

Both 2D and 3D icons represent the volume found in the three-dimensional world but use various methods of creating this illusion. 2D Icons can definitely represent volume to less extent than 3D Icons. One of the disadvantages of 2D Icons are flat images that show just one perspective. To this weakness you can also add one more - detailed highlights and imperceptible soft shadows are missing. The shades usage is restricted as well.

3D icons can be proud of all these features instead. But 3D is mathematical replication of the data which anyway limits its usage. In some case 3D objects like 3D Icons may be effectively replaced by 2D ones or by the videos with the sounds. 3D dimension can be created due to the software used for 3D modeling. Don't forget that 3D icons need to be depicted in correlation with the other objects and the environment they are placed into.