What are the best practices for creating 3D bar charts?

For almost all cases of visualization, a well-constructed 2D bar plot (either stacked or grouped) is more informative and easier to interpret that a 3D bar plot. It efficiently displays the data and allows for a straightforward comparison. However, if you have specific reasons to emphasize the three-dimensional aspect of the data, a 3D bar plot could be more appropriate. E.g., in stratigraphy analysis (study of rock layers), a 3D bar plot could be used as the data inherently has the depth attribute, spatial relationships and relative depths of rocks could be better shown in a 3D bar plot.

Creating effective 3D bar charts requires careful consideration. One should also avoid excessive perspective and ensure clear labeling of axes for accuracy and clarity. For instance, when analyzing sales data, a 3D bar chart can effectively show variations across product categories over a year. Each bar represents a category, with height indicating total sales. Color-coding for different months adds an extra layer of information, enhancing depth without sacrificing clarity.

Please don’t create 3D bar charts… Our minds struggle with the third dimension, given our interpretation of the world in 2D. Although depth perception gives us a sense of 3D, our visual experience is fundamentally 2D. This makes interpreting 3D data visualizations challenging.

I honestly can't think of a case where a 3D bar chart would be better or even equal to a 2D graph. It might draw attention to your graph, but it will add clutter and people will find it more difficult to assess relative differences and assign values to each column when they are in 3D. The best practice when creating a 3D chart is keeping it 2D.

3D bar charts are highly useful in data visualization, especially when there's a need to represent three variables instead of just two. They convey information on three axes: X and Y axes represent categories or data dimensions, while the Z axis denotes a measurable metric. This translates to a clearer and more comprehensive overview of complex data. For instance, a 3D bar chart could be used to illustrate the number of subscribers (Z axis) across different geographical locations (Y axis) and their subscription package types (X-axis). This way, stakeholders can quickly gauge market performance and customer preferences across different regions and offerings in one glance.

When aiming to convey relative size of different categories, using a 2D bar chart, with the value sorted high to low, is the clearest way to communicate the data. I wonder if 3D bar charts were just created to 'look cool'. Unfortunately they look dated and, more importantly, do not communicate information well .

I always prefer to use 2D bar chart, it’s easy to create and read. 3D bar charts are great for spicing up your data when you want to show general trends or comparisons in a visually captivating way. For instance, imagine using a 3D bar chart in a sales pitch to showcase the overall performance of different products over the last year, it adds that extra wow factor and makes the data more engaging for your audience.

Only use 3 dimensions in any data visualization if you really have to and if you are sure your audience can consume it as intended. This will probably translate to the data visualization serving exploratory purposes rather than explanatory purposes, and your audience being experienced data analysts. If your data visualization should tell a story that is obvious and unambiguous, especially for a non-data analysts audience, more than two dimensions should be avoided.

I think it's appropriate to begin by choosing a clear purpose for the 3D bar chart, ensuring it adds value to the data presentation. Opt for simplicity in design, using minimal extraneous elements to avoid visual clutter. Consistent color-coding enhances clarity, while maintaining a proper axis scale prevents distortion. Labeling is crucial; provide axis labels and data annotations for better comprehension. Lastly, consider the audience and context to decide whether a 3D representation truly enhances understanding or if a 2D alternative would be more effective.

3D bar charts look cool but they might not always show the data as clearly as a regular chart. Sometimes the bars might seem bigger or smaller than they really are, which can make it harder to understand the information.

The ratio between values may not be presented clearly, which might lead to inaccurate comparisons and interpretations. Misjudgments may occur as the perspective may distort the perception of the bar's heights or lengths. 3D bar charts are often more complex and harder to comprehend than their 2D counterparts, which could be a hurdle for some viewers not as familiar with data analysis. Due to their 3D nature, some data may be obscured or 'hidden' behind other data when viewed at certain angles.

The primary drawback with any 3D data visualization is the difficulty that the consumer will have in understanding the viz "with precision." I would say that it is almost impossible to precisely render a 3D object in a 2D space. Because everyone will be consuming these insights on a 2D flat screen, or even 2D flat piece of paper, constructing a 3D version just adds complexity to the consumer trying to correctly interpret what the 3D viz is trying to say.

If you really must have a bar chart that is rendered in 3D, you could consider using the most minimal about of 3D "warping." There is a direct correlation between the amount of 3D effects and the speed of understanding by the end user. Minimal 3D warping can make your bar chart look a little more pleasing, but once you start increasing the 3D factor, your users will begin to struggle with interpreting the data being rendered. 3D charts should always be avoided, but if you need them, keep the 3D effects to a minimum.

Keep the design as simple as possible. Avoid fancy effects or excessively complex visuals that don't aid in understanding the data. A straightforward, clean chart is always easier to interpret. Choose color or hues that differ sufficiently to distinguish clearly between data points. If transparency is used, it should serve a purpose and not just be for aesthetic appeal. Clear axis labels are also critical. They should be concise yet descriptive enough for viewers to understand what each axis represents without extra information. You should also look out for overlapping data, which can obscure details and make the chart hard to read.

Striking that this topic is covered w/o a single graph. Which wraps up my suggestion nicely. Don’t use them. Really, don’t, it’s adding more confusion than information. R

3D bar charts should only be employed when they genuinely enhance data interpretation, not simply for aesthetic reasons. One must pay careful attention to the choice of angle and perspective. Select angles that minimize distortion and make comparisons easier, while also ensuring the scale remains appropriate and consistent. To avoid overlapping bars, which can hinder data visibility, consider employing techniques such as transparency, adequate spacing, or sorting bars based on their values. Use colors that are not only consistent but also contrasting to enhance the visibility of data. Be cautious not to introduce excessive colors that might lead to confusion. Remember that colors should serve a functional purpose in conveying information.

Using a 3D bar chart is a common mistake in and of itself. The only consideration I can think of is that it could be visually pleasing, yet the third dimension does nothing to amplify or even convey the message. Worse, it distorts that message.

Unfortunately, Excel makes it way too easy to create 3D bar charts. You can create them by selecting a single set of values and clicking "Insert > Chart > 3D bars" which instantly applies a meaningless 3D effect to what should definitely otherwise be simple/standard bars. For a visualization that actually has three quantitative measures, it's just as easy to create a poorly designed and hard-to-interpret 3D visualization, following similar Excel prompts.

Best advice? Don't use 3D Charts. I mean, do a google search of 3D Charts and ask yourself if you want your dashboards like that.

It's essential to consider the purpose and audience of your 3D bar chart before choosing to use this visualization form. While 3D bar charts can provide more depth, they mainly serve to highlight patterns and relationships already known or suspected in the data. If the goal is data exploration or discovery, simpler and more straightforward visuals often work better. 3D bar charts can be an excellent tool for presenting data interactively - the ability to rotate the chart and view data from different angles can bring new insights. But caution is needed, as they can also quickly cause confusion or misinterpretations if not used thoughtfully.

It's possible that a 3D bar chart could be useful on an Infographic type document where visualizations need to look more "pretty" than on a business Dashboard. In an enterprise environment, where business decisions are being made every second, a 3D chart of any type does not belong.

I agree with Kyle, prefer not to use 3D bar charts if your aim is to communicate data effectively without ambiguity, simple 2D bar chart will serve the purpose more reliably.