2D vs 3D Animated Videos

Video content is ineluctable for brands in the modern day. According to reports, 25% of brands post videos every month. A lot of these brands incorporate animated videos to make their content more engaging.

Animated videos present an interesting proposition, especially when relaying complex products and services. So, if you’re reading this you’re probably interested in creating animated videos for your brand.

Although, there are many types of animated videos. The two most popular techniques are 2D animated videos and 3D animated videos. Both these types have significant differences in their characteristics.

Now, you might ask – Which type of video should I choose for my brand? 

Well, don’t worry. That’s exactly what we will cover in this article. By the end of it, you will know what is the difference between 2D and 3D animated videos. How you can leverage them to increase customer engagement and boost consideration for your products and services!

Let’s begin with 2D animated videos – 

2D animated videos

2D animated videos involve creating elements, backgrounds and characters in two dimensions. It implies that 2D animation is plotted with length and breadth. The characters appear to be moving from one point to another over a flat screen. 

These videos have a wide range of applications in education, marketing and advertising. 2D explainer videos are some of the most popular formats for brands. Companies use them to explain their products and services. 

2D animated videos are vastly used for customer onboarding experiences on websites, mobile apps, and other software products. 

Key Benefits of 2D animated videos 

  • A highly engaging format that improves customer engagement 
  • Breaks down complex ideas and makes them comprehensible
  • Comparatively lower production cost compared to other types of videos
  • The 2D format allows easier iterations and modifications
  • Facilitates faster production due to the ease of creation 
  • Boosts conversions when placed on landing pages 

Here’s the process we follow at Visual Connections to produce the best 2D animated videos –

2D animation Pipeline (Optional) 

Let’s move on to 3D Animated videos!

3D Animated Videos 

3D animated videos have become extremely popular amongst brands and marketers due to their realistic depictions. 3D animations are created over three dimensions with length, breadth and… Depth. 

The depth aspect provides additional detailing. You can view the inner and deeper visuals of an element through the cross-sectional view. This facet allows the user to visualise your products and services better. 

So, you can use these videos if you have products that require a clear demonstration of their finer workings. 

One thing to note is that the production cost will be comparatively higher. Therefore, you will need a decent budget to produce a series of videos. Not to mention, these videos need more production time due to the sophistication involved in furnishing crystal-clear visuals. 

But it is observed that brands who incorporate 3D videos effectively experience a significant boost in their conversions. Whether it is a 360-degree fly-around or an exploded visual, these videos provide the perfect outlook to facilitate a high-quality visual experience. 

Key benefits of 3D animated videos

  • Provides hyper-realistic visuals with great clarity
  • Precisely showcases how customers can use products and services
  • Excellent tool to showcase the inner components and mechanics of a machine or technology
  • Facilitates improved product association and builds a customer-brand relationship 
  • Seamlessly converts potential buyers into customers

Check out our comprehensive procedure to produce captivating 3D animated videos – 

3D animation Pipeline (Optional) 

In a nutshell, these are the differences between 2D and 3D animated videos – 

3D Animated Videos

  • Created over 2 dimensions 
  • Produced over 3 dimensions
  • Doesn’t incorporate depth 
  • Lower production time

2D Animated Videos 

  • Comparatively lower budget
  • Allows iterations 
  • Incorporates depth for hyper realistic visuals 
  • Mechanical processes leads to higher production time
  • Requires a large budget
  • Modifications are tough post creation

Which one should I choose – 2D or 3D animated video?

Now you know the differences between 2D and 3D animated videos. This is where most sources would leave it to you to make a choice. 

Remember how we told you that we’d help you make that decision? We fully intend on keeping that promise and helping you in the process.

Consider the following aspects before making the choice –

  • Does your product or service involve deep components or illustrations that could benefit from hyper realistic visuals? 

If the answer is yes, then it is clear that you would require 3D animated videos. It is because of the quality of the final output and its ability to produce better results.

  • Are you creating the video for a consumer product or depicting architectural design?

Another aspect that you need to keep in mind is the nature of your product. 

If you’re creating a video for a car or a piece of clothing which requires deeper illustrations, then 3D video is the clear choice. It allows you to provide a 360 degree fly-around or exploded visual of the product. 

Similarly, if you are showcasing real-estate or architecture, then 3D animation is the go-to option. 

  • Do you have the budget?

3D animation requires larger budgets due to its finer mechanism and ability to produce better quality visuals. Although, if you are working with a relatively limited budget, 2D is the perfect solution. 

  • Do you have the time?

3D animated videos require more time due to intricate procedures such as rigging, creating a mesh, compositing etc. 

2D animated videos, on the other hand, can be created in less time. 

By evaluating the above aspects, you would have facilitated a clear decision. 

If you’re still caught between 2D and 3D animated videos, then this might help – You can combine 2D and 3D in a single video to create a combination video. 

Yes, it can be produced with great quality! 

If you’d like to learn how, feel free to give us a ring or leave us a message here – (Contact Us Page link)

If you’d like to read more about 2D and 3D animation videos, check out – (2D and 3D Animations page link) 

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