A three-dimensional (3D) logo maker is a graphical design program that specializes in making logos in 3D. Most 3D logo maker programs are generators, meaning they generate logos rather than allow users to design custom logos. A 3D logo maker generally saves the images as vectors, which allows them to be stretched to any size without quality penalties. As generators, most of these programs restrict freedom and are not usually suited for general 3D designing.
There are many two-dimensional (2D) logo makers, and some may even be able to make convincing 3D logos. The major difference between a 2D and 3D logo maker is the amount of axes created. With a 2D logo maker, even if the logo is shaded to look 3D, there are only two axes created. A true 3D logo program will store three axes of information. If the logo is only going to be printed, then this usually does not change much, but a 3D image can easily be animated if the logo maker also has animation features.
The majority of 3D logo maker programs are generators rather than design programs. A generator is a program that enables the user to select a graphic, change a few parameters and have a logo generated. With a design program, the software usually will focus on making a 3D logo from scratch, and there normally will be tools to facilitate logo creation.
Control can be an issue with 3D logo maker programs, especially with a generator. A generator often allows the user to enter some custom text, but there rarely are tools to make custom graphics or effects; all or most of the effects are preloaded and cannot be changed outside certain parameters. This means most 3D logo makers cannot be used for general 3D design. At the same time, users without 3D design experience may make better use of this, because they may not be able to make a 3D logo from scratch.
When a logo is made, 3D or otherwise, it often will be printed on many different marketing materials, but the logo size may have to be different for each printed item. For example, a 3D logo would have to be small for business cards but large for billboards. To assist with this, most 3D logo maker programs save the logo files as vectors, or images that can be stretched without creating any worries about quality.
