Ever wondered what lies between the worlds of 2D and 3D animation?
2.5D animation!
This animation style has one-half of B2B brands scratching their heads and the other half leveraging it to create versatile, impactful brand videos within budget and time constraints.
If you’ve been holding back from using this style because you’re unsure what it truly is—or worried that choosing it over 2D or 3D animation might leave you at a disadvantage—this blog is exactly what you need.
We’ll break down what 2.5D animation is, when and where to use it, how it differs from 2D and 3D animation, and back it all up with relevant B2B examples to help solidify your understanding.
Ready to explore this unique animation style? Let’s dive in!
Simply put, it's a style of animation that dangles between the technicalities of 2D and 3D video styles.
It combines 2D objects in 3D space to create the illusion of 3D animation.
Animators leverage compositing software and techniques like layering, shadowing, and perspective adjustments, among others, to add volume to a 2D element and transform it to give the impression of 3D.
2.5D animation is already a favorite of many B2B marketers and here is why you should use it too:
Suppose you have a great video concept, but the catch is that the idea is too intricate for 2D animation to fully capture, and 3D animation is out of reach due to time or budget constraints.
That’s where 2.5D animation can be a game-changer.
It strikes the perfect balance, providing creative freedom to transform complex ideas into simple, visually engaging narratives.
Moreover, it spares you from the need for detailed, time-consuming, and costly modeling or rigging techniques required in 3D animation.
A good animation style is one that’s versatile and useful in many areas, and 2.5D animation ticks that box as well.
From explainer videos and educational content to website designs, case studies, and marketing teasers, 2.5D animation fits seamlessly into various creative and commercial applications.
This versatility makes it an excellent investment for any brand.
2.5D isn’t the kind of animation style viewers are accustomed to, so when you incorporate this style into your video, it appears unique and out of the box, instantly captivating the audience.
It holds their attention longer than traditional video formats. Paired with a well-written script, 2.5D videos can fascinate audiences and significantly enhance your overall engagement.
By giving your brand story the much-needed depth and dimension, 2.5D animation makes your narrative more engaging and impactful.
This gives you an edge, elevates your messaging, and strengthens your connection with your audience.
2.5D animation incorporates interactive and captivating elements which, when paired with striking visuals and engaging motion graphics, ensure that your message resonates and stays with your audience for longer.
Now that you know why 2.5D animation is such a game-changer, you might be wondering—when should you actually use it? Let’s dive into that next.
You should use this style for animated video production when you want to achieve any of these things:
Use 2.5D animated video production when you have a product, character, or object you want to highlight.
You can create the video in 2D and then introduce a 3D element that grabs all the attention and steals the show.
This will be highly effective, making your product appear as though it’s popping out from a flat background, capturing your viewer's full focus.
Geometric shapes like buildings, electronics, or abstract objects work brilliantly in 2.5D animation.
Giving these elements a 3D look makes them stand out against the 2D backdrop, adding visual interest and making your video more dynamic.
When you have a great video plan, but a tight timeline and budget are holding you back from executing it, 2.5D should be your go-to choice.
Unlike 3D, it’s more affordable and less time-consuming, and unlike 2D, it offers much more dimension and depth. It combines the best of both worlds and gives you high-quality results.
Since 2.5D animated video production is still relatively new, incorporating it into your video can make it stand out against the monotony of similar video animation trends.
It can help your content grab attention and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Additionally, if you're a brand looking to explore diverse avenues, 2.5D animation is a great choice.
It's versatile and can be used in many different contexts. Let's dive in and explore all the places where you can use 2.5D animation!
You can use 2.5D animation in a wide range of applications:
As I have emphasized before, a 2.5D animated video is an alluring way to introduce your brand or product.
It grabs your audience's attention right away and gives you the perfect amount of time to highlight your business's unique selling points (USPs).
Many B2B companies, both large and small, have successfully used 2.5D animation in their advertising campaigns.
So, if you're looking to expand your brand’s reach or promote a new product, using 2.5D animation in your commercial videos can be the right move.
For NGOs and CSOs, 2.5D animation can amplify your reach and fundraising efforts.
A detailed report might explain why your campaign matters, but it won’t reach most people.
However, a powerful 2.5D animated video will. It can convey the same message in under a minute and reach a much wider audience at a lower cost.
Many international organizations already use this animation style for their awareness campaigns—consider it if you want to extend the impact of your own.
You can use animated explainer video production to simplify complex concepts. Whether it's a SaaS tutorial or a public service announcement, 2.5D animated videos can effectively break down and present information to a wide audience.
If you're still unsure and want to explore the differences between 2D, 2.5D, and 3D animation before making your decision, we have a dedicated section that dives into those differences to help you make a more informed choice.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences between 2D, 2.5D, and 3D animation:
|
Feature
|
2D Animation
|
2.5D Animation
|
3D Animation
|
|
Depth & Realism
|
Flat, no depth |
Illusion of depth with 3D-like elements |
Fully immersive, true depth and realism |
|
Complexity & Cost
|
Simple, quick, and cost-effective |
More complex than 2D but more affordable than 3D |
Most complex and costly to produce |
|
Visual Appeal
|
Charming, simple, and engaging |
Dynamic, and creative with an illusion of 3D |
Realistic, detailed, and lifelike |
|
Best For
|
Storytelling, educational content |
Product ads, explainer videos |
Immersive and high-end visual projects |
But if you want to look at these animation styles in more detail, here’s what you need to know about each of them:
In this form of animation, characters, objects, and backgrounds are created in a flat, 2D space. It relies heavily on hand-drawn or computer-generated images arranged in sequences to create the illusion of movement.
To better understand the offerings of this animation style, check our blog about the best 2D animation examples.
2.5D animation combines the best of both worlds—2D and 3D animation.
While its background remains flat, its objects and characters are designed to appear three-dimensional through careful use of perspective, lighting, and shadow.
This technique creates the illusion of depth without the full complexity of 3D.
It offers a fully immersive, three-dimensional experience, where characters and objects are modeled and rendered in a 3D space.
This style provides a high level of realism, with objects that can be viewed from any angle and detailed movements that mimic real-life physics.
Now that all the major details about 2.5D animation have been discussed, let’s look at some 2.5D animation examples to put a face to everything we've learned so far.
If you are further interested to learn about the differences between 2D and 3D animation, you should read this linked blog.
This infographic video from Atlassian, introducing their Jira Service Management, is one of the best 2.5D animation examples.
In this video, you'll notice how the racing car moving on the road and the human figurines managing tasks in the office appear as 2D characters.
However, whenever stats or data are mentioned, infographics appear in 3D. The screens, phone, and yellow warning sign all showcase 3D movements.
Their dynamic movements, along with the informative voiceover, keep viewers engaged throughout the video.
The moment this Oracle video starts, it appears as a normal 2D animation with some blue-toned characters.
But as soon as it zooms out, this perception is broken. We enter a world of pie charts, bar graphs, expense sheets, and a lot of infographic data, all floating in the air, creating the illusion of 3D.
We see a hand reaching out to grab one of the documents. While the hand appears in 2D, the paper seems to float in 3D.
The unique way the objects come together and move, combined with the enthusiastic voiceover explaining the process and the kinetic typography, is the selling point of this video.
This is a 2.5D animation video we created for ESRI.
It beautifully explains the concept of location intelligence and its transformative role in addressing interconnectivity challenges for the future.
It starts with a scene straight out of a spy control room, instantly setting a sci-fi vibe. As the video progresses, we’re introduced to a cityscape filled with shops, cars, people, and a location pin hovering over various areas.
The sharp, straight lines of the objects, the translucent elements in certain sections, the precise shadows, layered movements, and floating objects seamlessly blend 2D visuals with a 3D effect.
These fascinating elements make this video not only engaging but also incredibly memorable.
In this video, the voiceover explains how TripleBlind has developed the most complete and scalable solution for privacy-enhancing computation.
As the voiceover narrates, various settings and infographics help reinforce the message. We see a town of houses that, while initially appearing to be in a 2D setting, look 3D thanks to clever shading techniques.
Throughout the video, the use of overlapping elements, dark shadows, and the suspended placement of objects all work together to create a convincing 3D illusion.
We created this video for Evergy's Innovative Solution to highlight the benefits of electric transportation as it becomes more mainstream.
The video begins with an aerial view of a globe filled with buildings, bushes, and a truck moving along a path. At first glance, it appears to be a full 3D animation, but it’s not.
The transitions, such as moving from the truck's headlights to the glasses of a man managing logistics, give us glimpses into a familiar 2D world.
The characters are distinctly 2D, yet the data being discussed appears on the screen as 3D objects. Charts and graphics float with a translucent aura, enhancing the 3D illusion.
Combined with vibrant pops of color, smooth transitions, and a perfectly synced voiceover, this video keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
Accedian (now part of Cisco) created this video to showcase how their Skylight intent-based assurance takes automated assurance to the next level. The video brilliantly uses angles and positioning to create a compelling illusion of 3D.
For instance, in the opening scene, the placement of the tower and surrounding electronic devices is cleverly designed.
The varying heights, combined with the use of color, lighting, and shadows, make the elements appear as if they’re not confined to a 2D plane.
The translucent layering around cubes and clouds adds depth, further enhancing the 3D effect.
Additionally, the use of side angles to display stats and other information gives these elements a three-dimensional appearance.
This Adzerk (Now Kevel) video might seem like a simple 2D animation at first glance, but the details reveal a more sophisticated approach.
The initial graphics, tables, and chat boxes are tilted at precise angles with accurate shadows, making them stand out from the background. Floating elements, a recurring feature in similar videos, are also present here.
A standout detail of the video is how the edges of hands holding flags of freedom and humanity are deliberately designed. By cutting parts of the edges and adding depth, the hands appear as 3D objects, even though they are purely 2D.
Additionally, the way objects pop out from behind others, combined with smooth camera pans, creates an illusion of a well-defined, multi-dimensional space. The execution is truly commendable for turning 2D elements into a visually immersive experience.
This video from WebFlow is incredibly abstract, creating a whirlwind of fascination as you watch it.
We see spheres and cubes in motion, sometimes appearing as if they’re in a 3D space, and other times looking entirely 2D. The seamless transitions between these perspectives add to its intrigue.
What truly held my attention, though, was how perfectly the movements of the ball synced with the voiceover and the music.
Every turn or shift felt so immersive that I almost found myself mirroring the motions—it’s a magical connection that this video establishes with its viewers. It was truly one of the best 2.5D animation examples.
And with that, our journey through the fascinating world of 2.5D animation comes to a close.
Exploring this bridge between 2D and 3D animation has been nothing short of captivating.
It’s incredible how this style cleverly uses techniques to create 3D illusions, offering brands the immersive impact of 3D without the hefty time and budget demands of full-fledged 3D production.
If you’re a brand that’s inspired by the magic of 2.5D animation and want to bring this style to life in your next marketing video, we’d love to help!
Contact us and let’s transform your boldest visions into reality with our video production and animation services.
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