What is a Vector 3D logo?
Vector 3D logo is two-dimensional vector based artwork designed to give the Illusion of 3D. In essence they are not true 3D design because they are not created in 3D software or 3d environment they are limited to one angle, the initial angle that the logo was created in. Real 3D logos can be rotated and view from any angle.
What is the advantage of Vector 3D logo?
Vector 3D logos even though created as a flat logo but given some 3d depth by drawing tricks. The source file of a vector logo is a vector based. Vector files have the advantage of staying sharp no matter how large the design is scaled, the properties of the design stay the same, meaning there is no pixelation. This gives the file a little more versatility when it comes to file handling and resizing.
What is the disadvantage of Vector 3D logo?
Vector 3D logo is not a true 3D; it lacks real 3D file capabilities, the logo has no real depth, meaning it cant be looked at from any other angle or rotated to view the design from another angle. This limits the logos animation capabilities by about 90%. Vector logos are also limited when it comes to texturing, lighting, advanced highlights and shadows that make a 3D logo really come to life. Another difference is that true 3D logos are provided in Raster format.
How to Create a Vector 3D logo?
To create a well designed 3D logo, you need to understand the fundamentals of creating depth. Here are some basic tips and examples for creating vector 3D logo.
Tip 1. Create Perspective
The most important element when it comes to creating artwork with depth is Perspective. Perspective gives us the illusion of depth or mimics real life visual reference of depth. We see examples of this in every second of our lives, but we never think about it, buildings that are closer look bigger than the same building in the distance. To create the same illusion, you need to create a vanishing point, like the example above; the vanishing points are where all the lines intersect.
Tip 2. Apply Tints and Shades
On some objects, its hard to see the perspective, like flat objects, there are no clear defining lines to create vanishing points. To trick the eye when it comes to flat objects is showing tints and shades. Tints are where the light is hitting the object and shades are where the least amount of light is being caught by the object. You can see an example of the shield left and right side of logo displayed above.
Tip 3. Gloss or Reflection
Some objects like the shield above don't have enough depth to show any perspective or Tints and Shades, one trick to get the eye into seeing some depth is creating gloss or reflection. Giving the reflection some curve also tricks the eye into viewing a curved surface.
Tip 4. Gradient Effect
The way to get a realistic sphere 3D look is to use gradient since sphere does not have sharp edges anywhere, a gradient works well to fill all the steps in between highlight and shadow. As shown above, this 3D logo looks smooth and creates an interesting visual impression.
Tip 5. Shadow Effect
Light does not come to life unless a shadow is cast. As the example above shows, by casting a shadow, the artwork defines space and depth. Some 3D logos do need the extra attention to detail to bring out important features.