3D or 2D? In motion graphic cartoon-based animation

[Joseph W. bourke]

With just a still to reference, it could have been done in Adobe Illustrator (2D), or with a 3D package. Because of the gradients on the object, and surrounding objects, it looks to me as if it was done as a still. You’ll also notice, if you look closely, that all of the shadows are “wrong”; there are some soft drop shadows around the bottoms of the plant pot, and the binders on the left, but nothing’s consistent. The leaves of the plant aren’t throwing any shadows, but they should be. This suggests to me that it was done as a still, in Illustrator, or maybe Photoshop. My guess would be Illustrator.

Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com

[Ricky rachman Utomo]

Yes, the shadows are wrong. But how can i make the shadows? Using gradient or drop shadow? Sorry if the question sounds amateur.

So to make the 3d stuff, should i make it 3d in illustrator or make all 2d and adjust them so they look 3d?

and what do you mean with 3d package?

thank you

[Stephen Smith]

To me it looks 2D, but without seeing the video I can’t say for sure. Can you post a link?

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

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[Ricky rachman Utomo]

https://motiongraphics.nu/motion/money-works/

it’s an isometric. looks like 3d but it’s a 2d. but how to make an isometric things? can i use ruler?

[Joseph W. bourke]

By 3D package, I mean a number of 3D Software Packages, such as 3D Studio Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Blender (which is free) and others. It’s quite possible to do animations in these packages which “look” flat and somewhat 2 dimensional, but are created in 3D space (think South Park). While it’s possible that this animation was done using Illustrator to create the pieces, then done in After Effects, using the Puppet Tool for the character animations, there are elements in the various scenes which lead me to believe it was done in 3D, with a 2D look. Things such as the guns and briefcase would just be too difficult to achieve smoothly in 2D.

Here’s a great article on the production workflow of South Park:

https://magazine.creativecow.net/article/south-park-tvs-longest-week

Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com

[Ricky rachman Utomo]

hi joseph, thanks for the article. i skimmed through it, but it doesn’t answer my question on how to make the isometric object. any help for that?

[Michael Zoppo]

This will help you create isometric art. https://vector.tutsplus.com/articles/web-roundups/15-illustrator-tutorials-for-creating-isometric-illustrations/ And yes the example above was created in Illustrator, they did a good job with subtle gradients to simulate shading on the surface of the cash register.

[Ricky Utomo]

@michael zoppo : thanks for your answer. i already saw the tutorials. helped me a lot. maybe now i have to figure out how to integrate the isometrics and 3D things like the briefcase.

and..yeah, i said typing-calculator stuff instead of cash register 😛