wot technique is that?

I don't have an answer for you, but that's an amazing still. Is it from Animatrix Beyond, or Howl's Moving Castle? (I'm guessing the latter).

I don't have an answer for you, but that's an amazing still. Is it from Animatrix Beyond, or Howl's Moving Castle? (I'm guessing the latter).

I'm fairly certain that it's from the Animatrix.

Howl's Moving Castle used some 3d sets but most of it was traditional 2d. They do a lot of mapping 2d imaged onto 3d planes to simulate the traditional multiplane camera effect, but of course with digital compositing systems they can get a little fancier.

I don't remember the Animatrix shorts very well but I would say that if it looked 3d, it probably was. 3d has been combined with 2d quite a lot since the early 90's. Usually for backgrounds, but sometimes 3d characters are used too, like the Iron Giant or Triplets of Belleville.

i dont recall really. i have it somewhere i could look later. but if you want to tell just pay attention to the camera moves, that will tell you all you need to know about the tech they used.

Yeah, that's one of my favs of the animatrix. Production I.G, baby. They rock!!

That shot is one of a few times they bridge the gap between 2-D and 3-D absolutely seamlessly. I'm pretty sure that's a 3-D modelled environment with hand-painted (very painterly) textures applied to it, with a 2-D character composited in. (No cel-shaders! HUZZAH!) It is possible that it's a "2 1/2 D" composite- with lots of flat painted objects arranged to make it seem 3-D... but honestly, if you're going to arrange that many objects you might as well be working in a 3-D package.

Anyway, I.G does my favorite stuff- cutting edge. Wiki them if you haven't.

That's my two bits, noob. -jack1/2p

Agh! Yeah they did. Good call.