To find the number of paths in a 3D object like a cube, one can use the same distance formula as in 2D, which is the square root of the sum of the squares of the coordinates. The key factor is the number of nodes and their interconnections, rather than the dimensionality of the object. A 3D cube can be represented in 2D, allowing for path calculations without losing accuracy. However, counting paths becomes feasible only in a lattice coordinate system where points are defined at integer coordinates. Clarification is needed if the discussion pertains to general paths or specific lattice paths.