Who is the winner - 2D icons or 3D icons?

Basic differences between 2D and 3D icons design

Speaking about 3d Icons we should point out that the source of light plays an extremely important role for creating authentic three-dimensional images. Without doubt the using several light sources in website design nowadays is preferable but take into account that they should follow fundamental laws of physics and stay truthful. If you need to make 3D web 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. Without doubt the volume can be displayed by 3D Icons to more extent than 2D Icons. Usually the images are flat and show just one perspective. Detailed highlights and imperceptible soft shadows are missing as a rule. The shades usage is limited as well.

3D web icons can be proud of all these features instead. But 3D is mathematical replication of the data which in any case limits its usage. In some cases you can effortlessly replace 3D Icons by 2D ones or by the videos with the sounds - but all this depends on situation. 3D dimension can be produced with 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're placed into.