Pixar's new short The Blue Umbrella uses unique new animation techniques

Photo via Disney/Pixar

Wall Street Journal has released a short clip of Pixar's newest short, The Blue Umbrella, in an article that goes into detail on new animation techniques used at Pixar. The photo realistic, a first for Pixar, animated short will play at the beginning of Monsters University that is scheduled to come debut on June 21. The new sic minute short follows the story of a blue umbrella as he chases after a red umbrella and the obstacles that he meets in the process of the chase. The short uses some first of its kind techniques for Pixar such as global illumination, a technique that simulates the way surfaces emit and reflect light, and deep composting a new three dimensional data technique that allows the film maker more control over how the animation looks. The Blue Umbrella was used as a testing ground for the new techniques that are also used Monsters University and future Pixar films.