Least Likely video – from blocks to cityscape?

[Ray Apokal]

Hi DavidD,

If I understand the author correctly, they used a 3d program to project the texture onto the 3d blocks with the 2d photograph.
Projection mapping is a very common technique in motion pictures to create quick footage of an aerial, or in this case a citsyscape, to give the illusion of depth. It may be ‘one simple step’ in projecting the texture. But there’s definitely diligence in the pre-process; getting the right camera settings and making sure the 3d shapes are proportionate.

Though this particular method may be more related to a 3d forum, Bill O’Neil offers an AE way to give illusion too :
https://library.creativecow.net/articles/oneil_bill/3d_world.php

hope this helps