A popular question that gets asked quite a few times on Mega Voxels is what is 3D pixel art? In this article we will explain what 3d pixel art is and how it is made by pixel artists.
What exactly is 3D Pixel Art?
3D pixel art, also referred to as voxel art, is a type of art form where 3D models are designed entirely out of cubes called 3D pixels. Artists are able to create these 3d pixel models using a special type of software called a 3d pixel art maker, other wise known as a voxel editor. Once created these models can be used for several use cases such as creating images that can be shared to different social sites such as Instagram or exported as 3D model files that can be used in video games and 3D animation.
If you want to learn how to make 3D pixel art check out our free Mega Voxels 3D Pixel Art Tutorials!
What are 3D pixels?
A 3D pixel is a cube, also known as a voxel, that is positioned on a grid in three-dimensional space. 3D pixels are combined to create a type of artwork referred to as 3D pixel art or voxel art. The term 3D pixel literally means to get a 2D pixel and add an extra dimension to it causing it to become 3D. To understand what a 3D pixel is however, you must first understand what an ordinary pixel is. In 2D graphics, a pixel is the smallest element in a raster image. If you were to zoom in just enough into an image you’ll notice that the entire image is actually made up of squares. In addition to this you’ll notice that these squares are aligned perfectly to each other as if they were on a grid. These squares are called pixels and can only have a single color. When they are combined together they make up the 2D images that we see.
3D Pixel Art and Standard Pixel Art Similarities and Differences
This is very similar to an standard pixel in two-dimensional space. This is important to note because it has many of the same qualities as pixels in 2D graphics. For starters a 3D pixel can only contain a single color at a time just like an ordinary pixel can only have a single color. Also a 3D pixel has an exact position inside of a grid just like an ordinary pixel has an exact position inside of a picture. The difference though, is that a 3D pixel has an extra axis, the Z-axis, that allows it to be positioned in three dimensional space. This also gives the 3D pixel volume, in the sense that it is not just a 2D square in a grid like a standard pixel, but rather a 3D cube in a three dimensional grid. So if we were to translate this in the real world a standard pixel would be similar to a square piece of paper. You can see its height and width but really there is no depth to that sheet of paper. A 3D pixel on the other hand would be something like a cardboard box. While you can certainly see its height and width, the other thing that is very clear is it has depth as well.
So what exactly is 3D pixel art? Its actually the art of combining and coloring 3D pixels. When combined an artist is able to create 3D models that can be used for artwork and animation. A great example of this is the mobile hit game Crossy Road. If you look at the main character, the chicken, you’ll notice the sharp edges of where a 3D pixel ends. This chicken was actually made of several 3D pixels, that in the end were colored to look like a typical chicken.
Learn More > What are Voxels?
Who makes 3D pixel art?
The great thing about 3D pixel art is that any one can become a 3D pixel creator, also known as a 3D pixel artist. A 3D pixel artist is a type of artist that makes 3D pixel art by creating 3D models made entirely out of 3D pixels using a software called a 3D pixel art maker. After their 3D pixel model is complete these artists can they use their 3D pixel art in several different types of projects such as graphics and games.
> See 3D Pixel Art from Top Artists on the Best Voxel Art of 2020
How do you make 3D pixel art?
While you can definitely make 3D pixel art models by manually writing positions inside of a text file, this is not easy and not feasible for the common 3D artist. Knowing this many software developers began to create specialized editors that gave artists tools to more effectively create models out of 3D pixels while taking care of the file behind the scenes. As of today there are several options to choose from when it comes to picking a 3D pixel art maker for making 3D pixel art. The most well known include MagicaVoxel which is a free open-source voxel editor, and Mega Voxels which is a free voxel editor app on iOS and Android developed by the Mega Voxels team.
Over time as the tools began to advance, artists have been able to create amazing 3D pixel art, from hit mobile games to gorgeous pieces of digital art like the ones you see on the Mega Voxels channels.
> View the Best Voxel Editors of 2024
3D Pixel Art Genres
Over the years 3D pixel art has expanded from being used for simple block structures like castles and houses, to include complex models such as cars, tree, animals and even characters. 3D pixel artists have experimented with these different categories and have created exciting new creations previously not possible. Here are some of the best 3D pixel art featured on Mega Voxels by genre:
- Best Voxel Art of 2019
- Best Voxel Art of 2020
- Best Voxel Art Animals
- Best Voxel Art Cars
- Best Voxel Art Food
- Best Voxel Art Rooms
Types of 3D Pixel Art
3D pixel art has actually been around for a while and many different versions of 3D pixels have risen in the past decade. However it is still based on the same concept: virtual blocks placed together to create a model. Here is a list of the most popular types.
MagicaVoxel
MagicaVoxel is a popular voxel editor for creating 3D pixel art on desktop machines. A lot of the 3D pixel artwork you see on Mega Voxels is created using the .VOX file type which is the standard file format for MagicaVoxel. What makes MagicaVoxel great, is its free to download and use. Most sites that sell 3D pixel art models will use this file type. If you are getting started with voxel art this is a good option since it is widely used even in different voxel editors.
> Learn more about the MagicaVoxel Voxel Editor
Mega Voxels
Mega Voxels is the most popular mobile 3D pixel art maker in the world for building 3D pixel art developed by the Mega Voxels team for iOS and Android. This app comes with all the pixel editing tools that you would find in other popular software for creating 3D pixel art plus more. One of its biggest benefits is that it is available for virtually every smart device. It supports .VOX files for importing 3D pixel art models from MagicaVoxel but also ships with its own shop to access hundreds of different 3D pixel models. It also includes various export formats including .VOX for MagicaVoxel, .OBJ for game engines like Unity, .PNG for image sharing and .MP4 for sharing videos to sites like Youtube. This app is designed for beginners and is a popular choice since it is free.
> Learn more about Mega Voxels Editor
Qubicle
Qubicle is another very popular voxel editor especially amongst game developers for designing 3D pixel art. Hit games such as Crossy Road and Shooty Skies were made using this program. Qubicle uses the .QBCL file format. As mentioned before, Qubicle has an extremely easy interface to use which makes it nice for beginners learning to create 3D pixel art. It also supports numerous export options including the widely supported .VOX file type.
> Learn more about the Qubicle Voxel Editor
Minecraft
Minecraft is one of the most popular forms of 3D pixel art used today. Minecraft takes the concept of 3D pixels and builds on this by texturing the individual pixel blocks with textures. All Minecraft models are built directly inside the Minecraft video game offered by Mojang.
3D Pixel Based Games
3D Pixel-based games for the PC have seen a huge increase in popularity thanks to games like Trove and Cube World. These games use 3D pixel systems to render thousands of 3D pixels in a scene at one time giving players the ability to add and remove 3D pixels to create their own customizable worlds or items. While some of these games have additional objectives, one of their primary functions is to give creators the ability to build their own 3D pixel creations.
> Learn more about the Best Voxel Games for PC for 2024
How to Get Started
The nice thing about 3D pixel art is its incredibly easy to get started. Here are some links to help get you started. First start off by choosing a 3D Pixel Art Maker. Check out our article on the Best Voxel Editors. Once your ready to start designing your own 3D pixel art check out our free page Mega Voxels Voxel Art Tutorials to learn how to make your very first 3D pixel art model.
