2D v/s 3D animation

There are quite a few animation styles practiced today. It is almost like the animator’s signature style. We associate Disney with 2D animation, whereas Pixar is known for 3D animation. Further ahead, Aardman Animations is always associated with clay animation, and Laika Entertainment is known for stop-motion animation. In this post, you get the merits and demerits of 2D v/s 3D animation.

However, the most common forms used are 2D and 3D animation, both with their pros and cons. A production team must determine the purpose, and the look & feel of the project before deciding on the course of action to take. In this post, we will discuss the merits and demerits of 2D and 3D animation, so that next time you know which method suits your story better. In this post, you get the merits and demerits of 2D v/s 3D animation. A production team must determine the purpose and the look & feel of the project.

What is 2D Animation?

This is the oldest form of animation and is still preferred by traditional animators around the world. With the evolution of animation, this form comes with its own sets of advantages & disadvantages. In this post, you get the merits and demerits of 2D v/s 3D animation.

Advantages:

Low production cost – Not every production team can afford the added expense of harnessing 3D technology
Quick time – Production lead time is low. It is faster to produce 2D animation
Less complex – It is easier to create a 2D animated sequence over its 3D counterpart due to less involvement of technology & software
Tried & tested – The method has been around since the late 1800s & works every single time
Easy to fix – It is very simple to correct errors in 2D animation. If it looks wrong, redraw it

Disadvantages:

Old can be boring – Traditional animation can sometimes appear mundane. There is no comparison of quality between 2D & 3D animation; the latter wins hands down
Audience demand – 3D animation is fast capturing the market. Very few people prefer to watch 2D animation movies as compared to their 3D counterpart
Economic reasons – Not all 2D animation is simple to make. Sometimes, it takes less time and money to create a sequence in 3D due to advances in computer technology
Time is money – Several movie studios are giving up 2D animation altogether because it is time-consuming to create cel-based animation templates, which will not be used again.
Expertise – 2D animation requires a workforce that can draw & sketch. It is not mandatory for 3D animation

3D Animation

TOY STORY 3

With technological advancements & software developments, 3D animation is the order of the day. Animation films are released in 2D & 3D versions, purely because of audience demand. We cannot forget that this technique has its share of benefits & limitations. In this post, you get the merits and demerits of 2D v/s 3D animation.

Advantages:

Visual output – 3D animation is more realistic and exciting
Technological advancements – New technologies are being developed every day, and the overall viewing experience is becoming exponentially better on a very rapid scale
Time is money – 3D models made for a particular project can reuse for future projects. It lowers the cost of production over the years for a 3D animation studio
Audience demand – The current generation of children is now used to 3D animation. They may not no easily relate to 2D animation
More workforce – Many animators are now shifting their skills to 3D animation, so it is not very difficult to find a talented workforce anymore

Disadvantages:

Limited imagination – What can be done in 3D is limited to what the machine can do. There is more scope in 2D as it depends on the artists
The old charm – The highest-grossing animated movies ever made have been created in 2D animation. Sometimes, simplicity takes a front seat when it comes to popularity with the masses
Profit & loss – A lot of effort, time & resources go into making a 3D animation project. The returns may not be as spectacular
Technical glitches – Sometimes, 3D models may not work as they should. Bugs, and computer viruses, all contribute to making 3D animation that much more difficult to create
Motivation – Sometimes, 3D animation is done ‘for the sake of doing it, and the results can be quite lackluster

What is your favorite form of animation? Share with us your thoughts in the comment box below.

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