3D Graphic Design
For millions of years, words and pictures have existed in a two dimensional world. Today, 3D graphic design has become more and more popular with the advent of computer graphics.
3D Graphic Design
3D graphic design is actually the rendering of a 2D image into a third dimension. This dimension is depth. Real life items as well as nature itself exists in three dimensions, but when the artist has transferred them to paper, he has had to give up depth. Depth could be simulated with shading and perspective in art. A talented artist was always able to simulate 3D this way and often the ability to do this was a trademark of the artist.
The computer has changed that. The third dimension of depth is now being added not with shading but with computer algorithms. The important point is that the surface on which the image is being produced, be it paper or a computer monitor, is still existing in only two dimensions, but the image that is produced appears to have depth that is real and does not rely merely on shading. This process is known as rendering in computer graphics.
Although 3D graphic design has applications in almost every area of graphic design, it is in the area of entertainment that it has found its fullest expression. 3d graphic design has opened up vistas in entertainment, especially in the area of motion pictures that were undreamed of a mere decade ago. Computer animated 3D figures have largely replaced the old animation techniques and have produced fully animated movies such as the very popular “Shrek” series.
3D graphic design and computer animation has been used in special effects of all kinds. It is possible to make epic battle movies today without the costly expensive of hiring thousands of extras. Many of these films use three or four model characters that are then reproduced as 3d animated figures to simulate thousands and thousands of characters. This has allowed movie makers to make such films as “Lord of the Rings” in a way that could not have been done twenty years ago.
3D graphic design is also used more and more in web site design. In the future, it can be expected that the computer will enable graphic artists to bring the third dimension to almost every aspect of graphic design including business applications and educational materials. It is certainly the future of graphic design.