2D Animated vs 3D Animated Explainer Videos

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Have you finally decided to create an animated explainer video for your brand? If you are still in the planning stage of creating a video, we recommend you research your options first. We mean you should research your different options for styles of video you can create. Besides, there are two competing options for video styles you have for creating animated videos.

Those two styles are 2D and 3D animated explainers. Comprehending the differences between these two explainer video types, you can choose the right style for branding. Moreover, we are going to help you find out the differences between 2D and 3D animated explainers in this post.

Logo and Animating It

Understanding Animated Explainer Videos

Explainer videos are short-form animated videos that animators create using 2D and 3D animation techniques, respectively. Marketers rely on these videos as sales or marketing tools to highlight the products and services of a company.

Moreover, experts recommend businesses keep the length of these videos short. It is because viewers have a better attention rate for 30 to 60 seconds animated explainers than for lengthy explainer videos. Besides, the length of an animated video also plays a part in determining the cost of animation for animated videos. Moreover, animated videos of short duration can more likely create a compelling Call-to-Action (CTA) for businesses and increase customer engagement.  

What Is a 2D Animated Video?

2D animated videos, as the name, indicate require 2D animation techniques for development. If you remember the classic Disney or Warner Brother animations you saw in your childhood, you can recall 2D animated videos. 2D animated scenes have a height and width but they do not have any apparent depth. In addition, 2D animated explainers are the most common animation style when it comes to video explainers.

Furthermore, modern 2D animated explainer videos embrace hand-drawn or computer-generated animation. 2D animated videos may seem easier to produce than 3D animated videos. However, it requires excellent technical skills to develop one-of-a-kind 2D animated explainers.

Additionally, you can see the progress of your video if you choose 2D animated videos. It is because 2D animations are created frame by frame. It is also important that you know when you should choose this animation style. You should go for 2D animated explainer videos to promote your services and ideas. Besides, 2D animation is the right animation style to produce a video with a friendly and casual approach.   

What Is a 3D Animated Video?

3D animation entails designs, movements, and rotation of 3D objects plus characters, unlike 2D animated explainers. You can bring video projects to life via 3D animation. It is because 3D animation includes height, width, and depth. For the same reason, you can bring more realism to a video project via this animation style. If you still do not get our point, you should watch a Pixar movie and see excellent examples of 3D animation.

Furthermore, 3D animation entails the creation of individual characters and backgrounds via complex software. Additionally, it includes manipulation of characters and backgrounds within the screen. It allows animators to produce desired results with 3D animated videos. Creating 3D animated videos take longer than 2D animation videos. Plus, hiring an animator for 3D explainers costs more as they are difficult to produce, unlike 2D animated videos.

Additionally, 3D animated explainers are visually richer, and cartoons you see these days are also 3D animated. Further, 3D animated explainer videos are great for showcasing physical products. Hence, you may go for this animation style to describe physical products to your customers.  

How Much 2D or 3D Animated Video Production Can Cost You?

Prices for animation differ for 2D and 3D animated videos. Besides, 2D animated explainers are the most budget-friendly.  However, 3D animated videos will cost you more to create. We have previously mentioned the reason why developing 3D video explainers costs more. Moreover, one of the factors that will play a role in determining the cost of animation is video duration. You should expect to pay less for a 30 seconds explainer and more for a 60 or 90 seconds explainer.

In addition, there are video animation agencies that will cost you affordably to produce animated videos. At the same time, there are companies that will cost you significantly more for animated video production. It is because reputable video animation agencies create brilliant video explainers. Nevertheless, they also charge businesses more because of the positive reputation and credibility they have.

Generally, you can expect to pay between $3000 to $20000 contingent on the video production company you choose. Small-size animated video production companies will generally cost you less than big companies.

Moreover, the cost we have mentioned above comprises scripting, voice-over, and animation. In other words, it is a cost that will incur for creating a complete 1-minute video explainer. Now, the question is: Should you create a 2D animated video or a 3D animated video?

Choosing between 2D and 3D Animated Video

The choice is ultimately yours whether you choose to create a 2D animated or a 3D animated explainer. Both 2D and 3D animation are popular styles to deploy for creating marketing, advertising, or training videos. However, 2D animated videos are fascinating to watch and friendly as the traditional animation style.

On the other hand, 3D animated videos are state-of-the-art and polished, unlike 2D animated videos. It all depends on your industry, budget, and needs to choose a specific style of animation. Besides, you can also contact the experts to help you choose the right style if choosing between these two animation styles confuses you.

Conclusion

When it comes to creating animated videos, two options for styles you have are 2D and 3D animation. 2D animated videos have width and height with no apparent depth. Contrarily, 3D animated explainers have width, height, and depth. 3D animated video explainers are also more difficult to produce than 2D animated videos, and they also cost more to create. 2D videos are great for promoting services or ideas.

Additionally, 3D animated videos are great videos for showcasing physical products. Lastly, it all depends on your industry, budget, and needs to choose a specific animation style for animated video production. 

FAQS

1. What Is the Difference between 2D and 3D Animation Video?

The core difference between a 2D animation and 3D animation lies in the final appearance of these videos. Further, 2D animation videos feature flat animations with fast movements. Contrarily, 3D animations feature objects that look real, which you can view from any angle from the front, back, top, and bottom. Put differently, 3D animation videos have exceptional quality, unlike 2D animation videos with flat animations.

2. Why Is 3D Animation More Attractive Than 2D Animation?

There are many reasons why 3D animations are more attractive than 2D animations. One of the reasons why 3D animations are superior is their superior ability to portray movements or motions. Further, 3D animated explainer videos that experts, such as animators at Glowza Digital, can create for you are more realistic and visually appealing. Due to the high quality of 3D animated videos, most businesses nowadays prefer creating 3D animated videos for promotional purposes.

3. What are the Limitations of 2D Animation Videos?

2D animation videos are cheaper to create than 3D animation videos; nonetheless, they have their limitations. Firstly, 2D animated explainer videos are less interesting and less sought-after for the same reason. Additionally, producing 2D animated videos take more time than producing 3D animated videos. It is because programs for producing 2D animated videos are less advanced than programs for creating 3D animation videos.

4. Is a 3D Animated Explainer Video More Realistic Than a 2D Animated Explainer Video?

These days, you see many animation studios producing 3D animated videos. They are making 3D movies because 3D animation looks more realistic than 2D animated videos. Besides, 2D animation also lacks the depth that 3D animation has. By the same token, 3D animated explainer videos are certainly more realistic than 2D animated videos.

5. Is 2D Animation Harder to Create Than 3D Animation?

In terms of traditional animation, 2D animation entails complexity when it comes to video production. It is because producing 2D animated videos requires animators to create 24 drawings per second, also called “frame-by-frame.” Additionally, animators must thoroughly study anatomy, physics, animation principles, and drawing skills to produce 2D animated videos.