2D web icons are really famous for their flexibility. This versatility is reached by rendering them at various resolutions suitable for various output devices.
2D Icons may embody the next items:
- raster pictures (digital graphics);
- styled text as a typeset for 2D Icons;
- vector models (geometric graphics).
The above-mentioned items can be managed by 2D transformations for example rotation, scaling or angular position and many others. Meshing basic models you may get more complex ones.
2D web icons usually are not like the real three-dimensional objects but because of the layers technique they can create the illusion of all 3D characteristics like shadow, reflection or highlighting. The layers should maintain the certain hierarchy and order carefully.
2.5D Icons
2Dicons also are well-known as 2.5D models. This technology allows web developers to work with any layer without the need of touching the others. The best of the prominent graphics editors prefer this type of 2D object development.
2.5D is a synonym to pseudo 3D. This means "two-and-a-half-dimensional" graphics. Models which were created with a help of with 2.5D technology appear to be tridimensional while in fact they aren't. The featured projection represents both front and side views.
This technology used for designing 2D icons is frequently achieved by the special lighting effect. 3D illusion can be reached as a result of virtual light source to the left or to the right side and above the users monitor.