立体

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 立体 is read as りったい and is a noun for a three-dimensional object or the quality of having depth as well as length and width.
• Basic usage: Use it in 立体模型 for a physical model and in 絵が立体に見える for a picture that appears three-dimensional.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Object and visual effect
  • The model is physically three-dimensional, while the picture remains flat and only appears solid because of shading.
• Contrast with 平面
  • A 平面図 is a two-dimensional plan, whereas a 立体模型 has actual height and depth.