Almost everyone who is familiar with architecture, construction, and even visualization has likely pondered the question: “Are 2D drawings still relevant?”. Let’s delve a bit into history and the revolutionary stages that have completely transformed the field.
The history of 2D drawings can be divided into several important stages reflecting the evolution of techniques and the use of this form of art:
- Origins: The first manifestations of 2D drawings can be traced back to prehistoric times when people used cave walls to paint images and symbols. While this may seem primitive today, as many think 2D is drawing, calculations, and not art at all, who knows if art and visualization would exist if people hadn’t started painting in caves.
- Breakthrough and Development: With the advent of paper, printing technology, and drawing tools such as pencils and paints, a new era of development in 2D drawings began. Later, these technologies became more accessible to a wider audience.
- Era of Digital Technologies: With the emergence of computers and graphic software, the art of 2D drawings received a new impetus. Digital technologies allowed artists to create and edit images quickly and efficiently, opening up new possibilities for creativity. However, looking around, it’s easy to understand that the relevance of 2D drawings has greatly diminished compared to past millennia, as they have been largely replaced by 3D visualizations.
Difference between 2D and 3D Drawings
3D visualization began to develop more and more and replace 2D in almost all areas of application. However, are 3D drawings really the panacea for work? Let’s go through the differences:
1. Dimension:
– 2D drawings: These are two-dimensional images that only have length and width. They are created on a plane, such as paper or a screen.
– 3D drawings: In contrast to 2D have an additional dimension – depth. They can be fully volumetric and realistic.
2. Usage:
– 2D drawings: Typically used in two-dimensional media, such as books, posters, logos, web design, and also in multimedia projects.
– 3D drawings: Applied in three-dimensional projects, such as animation, video games, and virtual reality, as well as architectural design and production.
3. Realism:
– 2D drawings: Usually have a more abstract or stylized look that can express the emotions and moods of the artist.
– 3D drawings: Can create more photorealistic and detailed images due to the ability to model volumetric shapes and use rendering technologies.
4. Creation Process:
– 2D drawings: Artists typically use manual drawing or graphic software such as Photoshop or Illustrator.
– 3D drawings: Require the use of specialized programs for modeling, texturing, and animation, such as Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max.
Both types of drawings have their unique advantages and applications, and they are important elements of contemporary art and design that complement each other. Considering the pros and cons, it can be confidently said that 3D visualization wins in all aspects of design, from exterior visualization to animation and virtual reality, which are developing rapidly. However, no matter how far 3D visualization goes in photorealism, it still relies on 2D drawings, photographs, and sketches.
Conclusion
The question of the relevance of 2D drawings remains on the surface in the world of contemporary art and design. With the advent of 3D dynamic volumetric models, however, many have begun to doubt the application of 2D drawings. Well, looking back at the history of development, from the first drawings in caves to the digital age, we can conclude that 2D drawings have retained their place in society, albeit not to the extent as before. While 3D technologies continue to evolve, impressing with their realism and the ability to create three-dimensional images, attracting attention in many areas such as architecture, animation, and design. Therefore, 2D and 3D drawings complement each other, creating diverse opportunities for expression and creativity.