2D Animation Vs 3D Animation: Which is Easier?

2D Animation Vs 3D Animation: Which is Easier?

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Damini
Damini Aggarwal
Assistant Manager - Content
Updated on Nov 15, 2025 16:43 IST
The ease of creating these animation forms depends significantly on technical skills, creativity, and the tools required. In this article, we explore these factors to determine which animation style, between 2D and 3D, might be considered easier. Stay with us to find the answer to the question: which animation is easier, 2D or 3D?

In this article, we have discussed the difference between 2D and 3D animation based on various criteria. This will help to understand which one is easier, 2D or 3D Animation.

2D Animation Vs 3D Animation

It's not that simple to know which is easier between 2D and 3D. Let us know which one is easier, 2D or 3D animation in this article.

Table of contents
  • 2D Animation Vs 3D Animation: Which is Easier?
  • 2D and 3D Animation Colleges & Courses
  • Software & Tools: 2D & 3D Animation

2D Animation Vs 3D Animation: Which is Easier? 

To know the easier option between 2D and 3D animation, figure skills you already have. Maybe you're good with 2D animation software, while others may enjoy and be good at 3D animation. The focus is on the technical skills that you develop from learning a software or two. Your creativity will also count here.

Technical Skills

If you want to work on 2D animation software, you must know how to draw and is able to do illustration art. Also, you must be good at sketching characters, backgrounds, and other story elements.
To work on 3D animation tools, learn about polygon modelling -  create 3D models using polygons and build block of 3D geometry. It's better if you know sculpting with digital sculpting tools.

Based on the above discussion, we can say that creating 3D animation requires complex technical skills and a profound knowledge of physics and mathematics, making it more difficult than 2D animation. However, 2D animation is more labor-intensive as it requires animators to create multiple frames for even a short piece of animation.

Also Read: 

Creativity

Creativity is an important part of animation. You need to use your creative skills to make animation look attractive, engaging and storytelling. 

For 2D animation, animators must have the skill of artistic expression, imaginary storytelling, and design creativity.

Whease for 3D animation, you must have the skills of character animation, world-building, realism and detail.

Required Tools

The third factor to compare the 2D and 3D animation are the use of software.

  • To design 2D animation, we use software like Adobe Animate (formerly Flash), Moho, Synfig Studio, etc.
  • 3D animation software is ZBrush, Autodesk, Lightwave, etc.

Top 10 Animation Colleges in India along with courses offered
Top 10 Animation Colleges in India along with courses offered
Animation courses have become one of the most sought-after courses in India. Candidates aspiring to take admission in Animation courses can refer the article below to know in detail about...read more

Also Read: 5 Best Countries to Study Animation

2D Animation Vs 3D Animation: Key Points of Difference

If you have read the article so far, then you seem to be interested in the animation. Now, let us check the differences between 2D and 3D animation on some other factors.

2D Animation 3D Animation
  • Appearance: Flat, two-dimensional visuals.
  • Techniques Used: Traditional hand-drawn, vector-based, cut-out animation.
  • Tools Required: Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, TVPaint, Synfig Studio.
  • Creative Focus: Artistic expression, design, stylistic choices.
  • Movement: Frame-by-frame drawing.
  • Technical Demands: Less complex software, lower computational requirements.
  • Production Time: Can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.
  • Usage: Cartoons, web animations, simple explainer videos.
  • Appearance: Realistic, three-dimensional visuals.
  • Techniques Used: Rigging, modeling, texturing, rendering.
  • Tools Required: Autodesk Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D.
  • Creative Focus: Realism, world-building, technical accuracy.
  • Movement: Keyframe interpolation, motion capture.
  • Technical Demands: Complex software, higher computational power.
  • Production Time: Can be faster with advanced tools, but initial setup is intensive.
  • Usage: Movies, video games, virtual reality, complex simulations.

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2D and 3D Animation Colleges & Courses

Most institutes teach both 2D and 3D animation these days, and some offer specialization in 3D animation courses. Whatever animation course you choose, always consider valuable factors such as education quality, faculty expertise, institute infrastructure, course fees, and course employability.

Considering these factors, we have listed both 3D animation courses and 2D animation courses here. If you want to learn 2D animation, you can opt for the following courses:

Institute Course Duration and Fee (in INR)
Webel DEQ Animation Academy, Kolkata BSc in 3D Animation Film Making (BAFM)

Duration: 2 years

Fee: 2.98 L

Diploma in 3D and VFX Film Making

Duration: 1 year

Fee: 1.49 L

Diploma in 3D Film Making Animation

Duration: 1 year

Fee: 1.32 L

Samskara Acadmy, Pune BVoc. in Animation

Duration: 3 Years

Fee: 1.32 L

Diploma in Animation

Duration: 1 year

Fee:  1.17 L

A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre, Delhi MA in Visual Effecrs and Animation 

Duration: 2 Years

Fee: 1.61 L

Srajan College of Design BSc in Multimedia Graphics and Animation

Duration: 3 Years

Fee: NA

Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, Mumbai Diploma in Graphics, Web Designing and 2D Animation

Duration: 12 Days

Fee: NA

Diplomain Animation and Film Making

Duration: 12 Days

Fee: NA

Arena Animation, Surat Bachelor in VFX and Animation

Duration: 36 months

Fee: NA

Arena Animation International Program

Duration: 14 months

Fee: NA

Arena Animation, Kolkata Certificate in Animation Prime

Duration: 27 months

Fee: NA

Arena Animation, Lucknow 3D Design and Animation

Duration: 1 year

Fee: 25 K

MAAC Delhi, Preet Vihar Diploma in Graphics, Web Design and 2D Animation

Duration: 1 year

Fee: NA

Diploma in Animation and Film Making

Duration: 1 year

Fee: NA

Software & Tools: 2D & 3D Animation

The 2D animation tools are easier to begin with and prove to be a cheaper option. Animators use the following tools and software for creating the 2D Animation creatives:

  • Adobe Animate
  • Toon Boom Harmony
  • Krita
  • Pencil 2D
  • Synfig Studio
  • Moho (Anime Studio)

However, the 3D software is more complex, but is demanded by professionals. The following tools can be used for 3D Animation graphics:

  • Autodesk Maya
  • Blender
  • Houdini
  • ZBrush
  • Autodesk 3Ds Max
  • Cinema 4D

Read More:      

About the Author
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Damini Aggarwal
Assistant Manager - Content
Damini Aggarwal expertise in management, research and analysis. She specializes in law and work proactively to cater to reader's needs. Apart from this, she has a passion to travel, read and write fictional novels, Read Full Bio
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