While 2D Animation and 3D Animation both have their respective uses and demand. But both have some Pros and Cons. Likewise, it is difficult to conclude which is better than the other.
We have curated some Pros and Cons of 2D and 3D Animation. Let us go through them one by one.
2D Animation
Pros
Cost-Effective
Animated marketing videos typically cost $15,000 and $35,000. 2D animations are frequently less expensive than 3D animations since they are easier to create. Of course, your Animation style will determine this, but 2D Animation can be much less expensive than 3D Animation. This is due to software developments, which means that not all Animation needs to be drawn frame by frame, decreasing production time and expenses. The level of detail in the design, the intricacy of the Animation, the length of the video, the voice-over, the soundtrack, and the distribution are the primary cost elements that decide the final price tag.
Production
2D Animation is getting faster and more accessible because of advancements in tools such as Toon boom and After Effects. 2D animations are less labor-intensive than 3D animations since they are “flat visuals.” As a result, the timetable for generating this type of movie is frequently shorter. Animated videos typically take 6 to 8 weeks to make.
However, that schedule can be stretched and accelerated to meet quick-turn deadlines depending on the intricacy of the Animation or the length of the film. When it comes to mood boards, style frames, and storyboards, one approach to speed up the animation production schedule is to examine and feedback them as soon as possible during the creative creation stage.
Story Focused
2D animations appear to be more focused on telling a story. It’s easier to capture the ‘wow factor’ with sweeping camera motions and dramatic effects when working with 3D objects, but this can occasionally detract from the story or more intimate moments.
Update
This is a significant advantage of Animation in general, especially when contrasted with live-action videos. Because 2D animations are less as compared to 3D and also complicated to design than 3D animations, upgrading the assets later for whatever reason is easier to use. Animated videos have a longer shelf life due to their ability to be updated all the time, which is another big benefit of choosing Animation versus live-action solutions.
Adapted and Expanded
2D animations may be converted into static graphic design elements because they function in a 2-dimensional space. Website assets, PowerPoint designs, infographics, postcards, and business cards are examples. Repurposing marketing assets, such as animated elements, can help justify the expense of the item while also increasing brand awareness through consistent and identifiable visual assets.
Cons
Less in demand
There appears to be a drop in demand for 2D Animation as 3D becomes more widely available. It is still widely used and popular, although 3D appears to be the ‘flavor of the month.’ At times, 2D Animation might be monotonous or repetitive. And by “dull,” we mean “uninteresting” compared to 3D animations. The screen lacks depth because you aren’t getting a full 3-dimensional vision.
Not so Dynamic
2D can feel less dynamic than 3D, as described briefly above. For example, if you wanted to animate a car moving, it would be extremely difficult to do so in 2d since you would have to redraw the car from multiple angles, which would take a long time. 2D animations don’t always have the “wow factor,” Economic and timeline constraints can confine you to specific design aesthetics. If you generated the car in 3D space, you could rotate it without redrawing it multiple times.
Time-consuming
Every frame must be redrawn with cell-based Animation, the traditional method of drawing frame by frame. When you consider that the average frame rate in the UK is 25 frames per second, a relatively short animation quickly adds up to hundreds of drawings. Many animated videos, for instance, Toon boom, for example, has some excellent tools for speeding up the process. Although the demand for 2D has diminished, it remains popular in many areas, 3D still commands a larger portion of the market.
Visuals
While amazing, eye-catching 2D assets are certainly possible, they may not captivate or excite your target audience as much as a 3D animation. Consider your childhood memories of viewing cartoons on TV. They didn’t have to be complicated or realistic to be effective, and the 2D graphics style was ideal for them and helped them convey their point effectively. However, with the evolution of 3D Animation and more elaborate CGI in movies, 2D Animation appears drab and uninteresting.
Reuse
Finally, unlike 3D animation templates, 2D animation templates cannot be reused, necessitating additional effort to establish the foundations of each new project. 2D animations take a long time to create since they must be produced frame by frame and from every viewpoint.
3D Animation
Pros
Eye-Catching
This has previously been mentioned, but it is without a doubt one of the most significant advantages of 3D Animation. The visual attractiveness of 3D can assist enhance your marketing films and help your target audience understand your main messaging points. You may now make photorealistic renders of your Animation thanks to technological advances.
Because of the gorgeous animation style and intricacy, your target audience may be more attracted to view your movie in its total, which is frequently a huge trouble issue for video marketers. It’s also unique and surprising, which can help you keep your content distribution fresh for better reach and retention.
Dynamic
Because 3D Animation takes place in a three-dimensional space, it allows for more dynamic and visual storytelling possibilities and much more. Your creative options are nearly infinite because of the superior technology used to produce the 3D images while making them.
For example, for the ideal customer or audience viewing experience, you can show off an animated/mock-up version of your new, upcoming product from every angle, highlight every feature, and present a realistic-looking summary.
Using 3D Animation to generate things that don’t exist in real life or are difficult to replicate or generate in real life can engage potential customers and increase conversions too.
Superior movement
Because all actors and objects are created in 3D space, you can move the camera about like you would in real life. This allows you to move across the planet with greater freedom. It also enables you to rotate your characters in 3D space without redrawing each frame. The animation process can be relatively quick once your character has been modelled, except for texturing and rendering.
Reuse and popularity
After you’ve created your character, you can reuse it in an infinite number of new projects, saving you both time and money. Disney, Dreamworks, and Pixar have all contributed to the popularity of 3D Animation across all platforms. As this animation style becomes more prominent in video marketing techniques, video production companies like VMG Studios are getting more efficient in generating this form of film and finding cost-effective solutions.
Boasts a Positive Return On Investment
In general, 3D Animation costs more money and takes longer to develop than 2D Animation. However, 3D is worth the cost because it is eye-catching, dynamic, and may assist raise the quality of your branded marketing materials. You can do things with 3D Animation that you couldn’t do in 2D or real life. Returning to our car-rolling example, this is a perilous stunt to perform in the real world and difficult to recreate in a 2D universe.
The safest and most accurate interpretation is in 3D. Statistics show that video can help you enhance your return on investment. According to 89 percent of videos or Animation marketers, every video provides a good return on investment.
Moreover, because animated videos have a longer shelf life and are easier to update than live-action videos, your investment in an animated video will last longer.
Interactive Options
3D animations can be repurposed for interactive choices in the same way that 2D animations can be easily changed into digital and print marketing materials. Any house remodelling service is the best example of this. So it is much easier to visualize what a room might look like in 3D than from a 2D floor plan.
For example, 3D models used in explainer videos can be built as an interactive component on your website that allows buyers to see a comprehensive picture of a remodelling choice. This realistic representation may be precisely what you need to turn a potential buyer into a paying customer.
Cons
Imagination
Compared to the huge number of styles that may be developed in 2D, 3D is more difficult to stylize. There’s a reason why most 3D animated characters have the same look. There’s a reason why most 3D animation casts have a similar look. When developing a video, the equipment defines you in some ways. When constructing a character, the rig has various limitations.
More complicated
When compared to 2D Animation, various elements are required to create a 3D animation that complicates the process. When creating a 2D animation, you must create and animate the characters.
Before you can catch a peek at what the final Animation will look like when working in 3D, you must model the character, animate it, apply it to light, and create textures. It’s a time-consuming operation that necessitates a lot of computer processing power.
There is a lot of work to be done before you can even see your video, which results in lengthier wait times. A mistake at any stage of the process can be extremely costly. Therefore animators must give it their all from the start.
Cost
Because not all animators are capable of 3D Animation, it’s rare for one animator to be a jack-of-all-trades. Instead, you’ll likely have numerous animators specializing in various 3D animation styles or techniques, such as character animation or special effects, modelling, lighting, and texturing. High-performance processors are also required to run Cinema 4D, Houdini, and Maya programs.
When it comes to 3D Animation, more personnel from the animation design company are involved than when it comes to 2D. This is where it’s crucial to check out possible production businesses to make sure they have the right people and resources for the job.
Adapted and Updated
3D animations may not simply be converted into static graphic design elements because they function in a 3-dimensional space like 2d animations. Because 3D animations are more than 2D, upgrading the assets later for whatever reason is not easier to use.
Animated videos do not have a longer shelf life which is another significant disadvantage of choosing Animation versus live-action solutions in 3D animations.