Here's a breakdown of the techniques:
* Miniatures: They built incredibly detailed miniature models of the Death Star, ranging from large-scale versions for distant shots to smaller models for close-ups. These were painstakingly constructed with incredible attention to detail.
* Matte Paintings: Artists painted massive backdrops that extended the environment surrounding the Death Star, creating the vastness of space.
* Forced Perspective: They used tricks like placing objects of different sizes at varying distances to create the illusion of scale and depth. This is why the Death Star appears so massive in the shots with X-wings flying around it.
* Early Computer Graphics: For the Death Star's main dish, they used a groundbreaking (for the time) computer graphics system called "Digital Productions" to create a rotating, 3D model. This was limited in resolution and required a lot of technical effort, but it was revolutionary for the time.
While the Death Star might look incredibly detailed and realistic today, remember that this was all achieved with analog technology, creativity, and a lot of hard work. The team behind *Star Wars* pushed the boundaries of what was possible in filmmaking at the time, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.