Learn 3D transforms in CSS from scratch: set a perspective, move the camera with perspective-origin, keep depth with transform-style: preserve-3d, place and turn things with translateZ and rotateX/Y/Z, animate smoothly, keep it accessible, and build a small orbitable 3D scene. No WebGL.

Creative Design Technologist

A comprehensive guide to CSS 3D, using the metaphor of Super Mario Bros 3 (painted-on depth) vs Super Mario 64 (real 3D) to explain the leap from parallax illusions to genuine 3D rendering. Covers the six core properties: `perspective`, `perspective-origin`, `transform-style: preserve-3d`, `transform` (translateZ, rotateX/Y/Z), `transform-origin`, and `backface-visibility`. Walks through building a Mario-style course from scratch using CSS cuboids, explains common pitfalls (overflow flattening, z-index vs depth sorting, Safari quirks), performance best practices (animating only transform/opacity, will-change, prefers-reduced-motion), and accessibility considerations (keyboard navigation, ARIA roles).

3D CSS, from Super Mario Bros 3 to Mario 64

Moving the camera without making anyone sick

I’d leave the wireframe toggle available in production demos for catching depth bugs.

This is a really nice guide. I like how it explains CSS 3D through something familiar instead of just throwing a bunch of transform properties at you. The interactive examples make the concepts much easier to understand too. Really enjoyed this one.