Abstract: Three dimensional (3D) animations of an avatar graphic object are displayed in an environment that lacks high quality real-time 3D animation rendering capability. Before the animation is displayed in the environment at runtime, corresponding 3D and 2D reference models are created for the avatar. The 2D reference model is provided in a plurality of different views or reference angles. A 3D animation rendering program is used to produce 3D motion data for each animation. The 3D motion data define a position and rotation of parts of the 3D reference model. Image files are prepared for art assets drawn on associated parts of the 2D reference model in all views. At runtime in the environment, the position, rotation, and layer of each avatar part in 3D space is mapped to 2D space for each successive frame of an animation, with selected art assets applied to the associated parts of the avatar.