The thoroughness and truthfulness of the picture may be even the disadvantage 3D icons possess. This means you're much more free to use artistic vision while drawing some object. Let's take a mobile-phone for example. So its possible to draw it rather similar to a real one but eliminate some extra details, shades and highlights. Sometimes schematic drawings are much more better than 3D models. You should analyze each particular situation. High-quality 3d icons need to repeat each detail and line completely, make the object seem closer to reality. So to answer the question we can claim that it is more like a kind of technical representation than a piece of art. However we sometimes can see 3D icons that involve innovative thought and look like true works of art. Realistic and accurate modeling is the most famous trend of 3D design today.In case you are planning to use some characters as icons, 3D icons are going to appear more realistic than 2D ones. The characters may stay cartoonish and this will give zest to your web page.
The technical issues you may face while using 3D icons in your project layout.
So pay attention to these useful facts while creating the icons design for your internet site:
Weak resolution of the viewers monitors makes it impossible to show 3d icons in all their glory and details;
since the monitor screen is 2D device it will not display the true three-dimensional object as we see it in reality;
2D space is easier to be modified and manipulated in comparison with 3D one;
sometimes users have to download extra software that is required for correct viewing of 3D web Icons.
As far as you can see both kinds of graphical representation are based on geometric data but 3D objects are in fact the sculpture models, more complicated items. Also 3D web Icons requirements are much severer. Of course you can claim that 3D icons may lack creativity and abstract air, nevertheless the facts of depth and volume that are created with a help of 3D technology are incontestable.