What Is 3D Animation? Types, Processes, and Uses

3D animation takes digital objects and makes them come to life by creating the illusion they’re moving through a three-dimensional space. These computer-generated objects appear on a two-dimensional screen, but are crafted to mimic the principles of a 3D world; they appear to move, turn, and rotate like real-world objects.

3D animation was originally used primarily in video games, television, and filmmaking. Pixar’s “Toy Story” is an early example of 3D animation.

Today, 3D animation is used in a much wider range of digital environments, from marketing materials to medical imaging. This article provides a quick overview of 3D animation, including:

• What is 3D animation?
• Differences between 2D and 3D animation
• Ways to use 3D animation
• 3D animation process‍
• Tools and techniques‍
• Advanced topics and AI‍
• What are the benefits of 3D animation?

What is 3D animation?

3D animation is the process of creating moving, three-dimensional images in a digital context. These visuals are made using 3D software, allowing animators to create computerized objects that look 3D even though they’re on a 2D surface. Through visual effects and precise timing, animators can make anything from a video game character to a car in an advertisement look like it’s moving through a three-dimensional space.

Differences between 2D and 3D animation

In a 2D world, the images all look flat, spanning only an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical). However, 3D animation adds a critical third axis, the z-axis, which creates depth. Old-school Disney animated movies, like “Sleeping Beauty” and “Bambi,” are examples of 2D animation. In contrast, “Frozen” and “Ice Age” were done using 3D animation.

The key differences lie in the technical processes used to create 2D versus 3D animation. How is animating in 3D different from animating in 2D? To create a 2D animation, the animator creates a sequence of drawings on a flat plane. The illusion of movement is created by slightly altering the animation figure’s position across frames, which are then played in rapid succession to create a dynamic image.

Traditional animations like “Bambi” were hand-drawn; today, computer graphics software creates 2D animations much more quickly. Animation software is typically used to create 3D computer animations, with the 3D animations made in three dimensions based on tangible physical models.

The table below highlights the key differences between 2D and 3D animation across various aspects.

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Ways to use 3D animation

3D animation has evolved far beyond its origins in gaming, TV shows, and movies. Today, it’s a versatile tool used across numerous industries for diverse purposes. From immersive corporate presentations to cutting-edge medical research, 3D animation is revolutionizing how we visualize and interact with information.

Here’s an overview of common uses of 3D animation today.

Television and movies

3D animation is often used for character animation in TV and movies. The technique can make characters seem more lifelike, enhancing the emotional connection viewers establish with them.

A 3D animated character is more vivid and engaging, almost like playing with a toy. This makes 3D animation very useful for kids’ entertainment. The "Frozen" movies are a great example. Elements of the story, like how the main character Elsa can transform objects into ice, become more enchanting in 3D.

Scenes like having the character sing, dance, and twirl also gain impact in a 3D image. Even facial expressions gain poignancy.

Beyond animated films, 3D animation is now integral to live-action movies for creating realistic visual effects. TV series like “The Mandalorian” use real-time 3D rendering for virtual sets, showcasing the evolving applications of this technology.

Gaming

3D animation can give a more lifelike feeling to video games, intensifying the action for the player. When you’re battling an enemy or racing through an obstacle course, having the 3D sensation can make for a far more thrilling experience. 3D animation can also be used with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) special effects, giving the player the sense that they’re inside the world in real time.

“Horizon Zero Dawn” is one example of how a video game animation can leverage 3D technology. The action game involves a lot of physicalities, from avoiding traps to solving puzzles and battling enemies. The combatant robots in the game are far more intimidating in 3D, making for a more adrenaline-pumping experience.

Other titles, such as “Cyberpunk 2077” and “Red Dead Redemption 2,” showcase photorealistic 3D environments and characters, further demonstrating the power of 3D animation in gaming.

Company presentations

The days of boring PowerPoint presentations may be coming to an end. Presentations with 3D animated features help draw the audience in and command their attention throughout the presentation. This Microsoft tutorial, featuring imagery of a drone in flight, gives you an idea of how intriguing a 3D presentation can be.

Complex data sets are being transformed into interactive 3D visualizations, allowing companies to represent trends and statistics more engagingly. This approach is particularly useful for financial institutions and scientific organizations looking to make their data more accessible and understandable.

Marketing

3D animation can also prove valuable in marketing. For example, a marketer might use this technique to show off all the product’s features as they would appear in real life. Audiences can get a better sense of what the goods look like.

Brands can also use 3D animation to showcase products through tutorials or demos, and to create more captivating content in general. In a world in which companies are constantly jockeying for the audience’s limited attention, a compelling video ad made using 3D techniques can keep consumers interested.

This ad for the online casino app Borgata is a great example of the visual intensity 3D techniques can create to boost conversion rates.

Major brands like Apple and Samsung regularly use 3D animation to create stunning product visualizations. Car manufacturers also use it to produce photo-realistic 3D renders for commercials before physical prototypes exist.

3D animations create well-crafted and engaging storytelling by producing highly realistic and immersive environments, which capture viewers’ attention more effectively than traditional ads. This immersive experience holds viewers’ interest longer, which can lead to increased engagement rates and dwell times.

The detailed and lifelike visuals in 3D animations can also make ads more memorable and evoke stronger emotional responses, driving greater conversion potential as viewers are more likely to connect with and respond to the content.

Architecture and design

3D animation is also handy for creating life-like renderings of houses and buildings before they’re constructed. Combined with VR and AR tools, architects can even step inside and walk through their designs. This is also useful for interior decorating, giving designers a concrete idea of what a room will look like.

These 3D rendering examples rounded up by LCP Media show what this technology can accomplish.

Urban planners also use 3D modeling to visualize and plan entire city developments, while companies like Matterport are pioneering 3D virtual tours for real estate listings, revolutionizing how properties are marketed and viewed.

Prototyping

3D animation can also be combined with another cutting-edge tool, 3D printing, to create product prototypes at a low cost. From engineering firms to medical technology companies, businesses can save money on raw materials as well as time and manpower by visualizing and crafting low-cost prototypes. They can then tweak their goods based on their prototypes before developing finalized products.

The tech and machinery industries are especially active in developing prototypes using 3D tools. Sculpteo provides a handy roundup of 3D-printed prototypes including bridges, eyewear, furniture, and robotic arms.

Race car companies even rely on prototypes to find ways to speed up the wheel-change process. Boeing uses 3D simulations for aircraft design and testing, showcasing how 3D animation is crucial in industrial design and manufacturing.

Medicine

Medical professionals can use 3D animation to teach, show detailed imagery of the human body, and even digitally demonstrate medical techniques. This can be invaluable for areas that are hard to experiment in, like surgery.

Medical animation can also help medical professionals communicate with patients—for example, by showing them what to expect from a procedure. This video from Philips Healthcare is a great example.

3D animation can also be combined with VR tools to reduce anxiety during certain medical procedures. MRI scans are a prime example. Many people get nervous in this enclosed space, and providing them with a lifelike animation of a scene like a beach or a forest can help soothe them, improving patient care.

Pharmaceutical companies also use 3D animations to demonstrate drug mechanisms, enhancing both professional and patient understanding of treatments.

Simulations

Finally, 3D animation can be used in simulations across an array of fields. For example, 3D videos can help enhance employee training. Workers can access a single 3D animated video whenever they need it, minimizing the need for costly and confusing mass training sessions. For example, the Audi car brand uses 3D animation coupled with VR tools to train employees.

In education, platforms like Labster offer virtual 3D science labs, while museums create 3D animated reconstructions of historical sites and artifacts. These simulations create immersive VR experiences and AR applications, expanding the possibilities for interactive learning and training across various industries.

3D animation process

3D techniques can take an animated figure that appears on a two-dimensional screen and make that object look three-dimensional and like it’s moving through a three-dimensional space. A skilled animation will have you reaching out and expecting to touch a 3D object, only to face a flat screen.

How is 3D animation created? Here’s an overview of how to 3D animate for beginners.

1. Modeling

In the modeling phase, animators create 3D objects to serve as the animation’s basis. This kind of animation is achieved by using a modeling tool. A 3D mesh is made from a simple object, called a primitive, which is then shaped and refined to the desired figure. The 3D models are then given details like color and texture. This is followed by a process known as rigging, which sets up a skeleton for the animation character that will allow it to move.

2. Layout and animation

Once the modeling and rigging are complete, 3D animators move on to the actual animation process. This is where they bring objects and characters to life through movement. There are several techniques animators use to create motion:

• Keyframe animation. This traditional method involves setting key poses at specific frames and letting the software interpolate the movement between them. Animators manipulate the object or character at critical points in the timeline, and the computer calculates the in-between frames. This technique offers precise control and is ideal for stylized or exaggerated movements.
• Motion capture. Also known as mocap, this technique involves recording the movements of real actors using special sensors or cameras. The recorded data is then applied to a 3D model, resulting in highly realistic movements. It’s particularly useful for human-like characters and is widely used in films and video games for both body and facial animations.
• Procedural animation. This method uses algorithms to generate animation automatically. It’s particularly useful for creating natural phenomena like cloth, hair, or particle effects. Procedural animation can save time and produce consistent results, especially for background elements or repetitive motions.
• Physics-based animation. By simulating real-world physics, animators can create believable movements for objects interacting with their environment. This is particularly useful for effects like explosions, water simulations, or ragdoll physics in video games.
• Performance animation. This real-time animation technique lets animators puppeteer 3D characters using various input devices. It’s becoming increasingly popular in live productions and virtual YouTuber performances.

Animators often combine these techniques to achieve the desired result, choosing the most appropriate method for each scene element. The choice of technique depends on the project requirements, available resources, and the specific look and feel the animator aims to achieve.

3. Rendering

Once the animation, lighting, and camera angles are perfected, the animator can move on to rendering. In this process, the graphic images that have been designed are actually created and exported. The final render of the 3D character will be tweaked according to light and shadows, reflections, transparency, and other details.

Tools and techniques

Popular 3D modeling tools include Blender, Maya, and 3DS Max, each with features suited to different animation projects.

• Blender, an open-source powerhouse, provides a comprehensive suite of tools for modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, and more. Its user-friendly interface and active community make it a favorite among beginners and professionals alike.
• Maya is widely used in the film and television industry. Developed by Autodesk, it excels in character animation, dynamic simulations, and visual effects. Maya’s robust toolset allows for intricate modeling and complex animations, making it a go-to choice for high-end productions.
• 3DS Max, another Autodesk product, is popular in the gaming industry and architectural visualization. It offers powerful polygon modeling tools, a flexible plugin architecture, and excellent rendering capabilities.
• Arnold for 3DS Max helps 3D animators achieve photorealistic results. Known for its simplicity and speed, it’s often used in film and television production. It excels at handling complex live-action scenes with ease.
• V-Ray is favored in architectural visualization and product design. It offers advanced global illumination techniques, producing stunningly realistic lighting and materials.

These are all uniquely suited to various 3D animation uses.

Advanced topics and AI

The field of 3D animation is constantly evolving, with cutting-edge technologies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Two areas that are particularly transformative are motion capture and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Motion capture

Advanced motion capture technology has revolutionized how 3D animators bring characters to life. This technique involves recording the movements of real actors and translating them onto digital characters, resulting in incredibly lifelike CGI animations.

In the gaming industry, motion capture has become standard practice for creating realistic character movements. The game “The Last of Us Part II” uses advanced motion capture to convey subtle facial expressions and body language, enhancing the emotional impact of the storytelling.

The film industry has also embraced motion capture, with movies like “Avatar” pushing the boundaries of 3D animation. Actors can now perform as digital characters in real time, allowing directors to see the final result on set and make immediate adjustments.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies are already being used to automate time-consuming tasks, such as creating realistic crowd simulations or generating complex particle effects.

AI-powered tools can analyze reference footage and automatically generate animation cycles, saving animators countless hours of work. ML algorithms are also being developed to enhance facial animation, creating more nuanced and realistic expressions based on audio input.

As these technologies continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more integration of AI and ML in the 3D animation pipeline, potentially revolutionizing animators’ workflows and opening up new creative possibilities for this art form.

What are the benefits of 3D animation?

3D animation has shown its utility in an array of contexts, including advertising, medical research, architectural design, and more. Why are so many industries embracing this cutting-edge graphic technique? These are some of the distinct benefits offered by 3D animation.

User engagement

3D animation can boost user engagement by creating more lifelike and interesting imagery. For instance, the mobile game Pokémon GO uses 3D animated characters in an augmented reality setting, resulting in millions of engaged users worldwide.

In marketing, Coca-Cola’s 3D animated polar bears have become iconic, capturing viewers’ attention in commercials. For company presentations, organizations like NASA use 3D animations of space phenomena to make complex concepts more engaging and understandable to the public.

These immersive experiences make content more memorable and can evoke stronger emotional responses from the audience. As viewers connect more deeply with the visually rich and dynamic 3D content, they’re more likely to interact with it, share it, or take desired actions.

Whether in advertising, education, or entertainment, 3D animations are powerful tools for capturing and maintaining user interest, ultimately leading to more meaningful and lasting engagement.

Larger audience attraction

3D animation appeals to a broad range of audiences and can be used to target large crowds. Times Square in New York City frequently features massive 3D animated billboards that captivate thousands of passersby. The London Eye used a spectacular 3D projection mapping show to celebrate its 20th anniversary, attracting a huge crowd.

In museums, 3D animated displays like those in the American Museum of Natural History bring extinct creatures to life, drawing visitors of all ages.

Communicates effectively

3D animation creates clear images that provide a real-world impression, enhancing communication. IKEA’s 3D product configurator, for example, lets customers visualize furniture in their homes before purchasing, reducing confusion and returns.

In health care, companies like Animatus Studio create 3D animations of medical procedures, helping patients understand complex treatments. Architectural firms like Zaha Hadid Architects use 3D animations to present building designs, effectively communicating their vision to clients and stakeholders.

Excellent branding tool

3D animation helps businesses better convey their brand by providing more detailed insights into their products, services, and overall vision. Apple consistently uses 3D animations in product launches and advertisements, reinforcing its image as an innovative tech leader.

Automotive companies like Mercedes-Benz use detailed 3D animations of their vehicles to showcase advanced features, emphasizing their commitment to cutting-edge technology. Even non-tech brands use 3D animations—for example, Oreo’s “Wonderfilled” campaign helped it establish a playful and imaginative brand identity.

Future trends

The 3D animation industry is constantly evolving, with several exciting trends on the horizon.  

Real-time rendering

This is perhaps one of the most transformative developments. Traditionally, rendering high-quality 3D animations was time-consuming, but advances in graphics processing units (GPUs) and rendering algorithms are making real-time rendering a reality.

This technology is already being used in video game engines like “Unreal Engine” and “Unity,” allowing for incredibly detailed and responsive environments. The film industry is also adopting real-time rendering for previsualization and even final production. Disney’s “The Mandalorian” used real-time rendering for many of its visual effects.

VR and AR advancements

These technologies are also set to push 3D animation into exciting new territories. As VR and AR devices become more widespread, there’s an increasing demand for immersive 3D content. Animators are now learning to create experiences that surround the viewer, considering factors like spatial audio and interactive elements.

Procedural animation

We’re also likely to see advancements in procedural animation, where complex animations are generated algorithmically rather than manually keyframed. This could lead to more dynamic and varied animations, particularly useful in creating natural phenomena like water, fire, or crowds.

Cloud-based tools

Another trend to watch is the increasing use of cloud-based rendering and collaboration tools. These technologies allow for more flexible workflows, so animator teams can work together seamlessly from different locations and access powerful rendering resources on demand.

As these trends continue to develop, the line between virtual and real will continue to blur, creating new possibilities for storytelling, education, and entertainment through 3D animation.

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