3D at DLB – Part One
In which we reveal our secret weapon in the ongoing battle for graphical supremacy: 3D modeling (that doesn't necessarily look 3D).
One of the hallmarks of “Web 2.0” style are graphics that use 3D effects—glossy reflections, depth cues, etc.—but aren’t truly 3D at their source. At DLB, we often take the opposite approach, using 3D models to produce graphics that aren’t overtly 3D. We’ve found over the years that this method not only looks good, but in some cases has increased our productivity over more traditional techniques.
I should state upfront that we didn’t set out to work in 3D. It’s primarily a symptom of my training as an architect. Although most architects still draw your standard 2D plans, these days we also do a fair amount of design work using 3D. The majority of us know how to model fairly well. When Paul and I first started out, I used to draw everything by hand, but since I went to school, whenever I want to create a graphic it just seems easier for me to start with a model of it.
