Rendering: what does this term stand for?

Surely many users of modern computer systems have encountered the concept of rendering. Most tend to associate this term solely with graphics or video and programs for their processing and editing. This is a profound error, because rendering, as such, has a wider understanding and is used in multimedia in the broadest sense.

What is rendering in the most general case and with respect to individual programs, then it is suggested to study. But start with the term itself.

What is rendering in general terms?

Proceeding from the most ordinary translation, it can be said that this process is the transformation of the original graphic or multimedia material used in a specific program into another format that is universal and is recognized by the standard means of the operating system (no matter which one is installed) or applications , Included in the standard sets.

In the graphics, the renderer is a means of changing the 3D image to 2D format or vice versa. That's just talking about what rendering is, only applied to graphic editors, is a deliberately erroneous statement, although it does not make no sense.

Origin of the term

Render is considered to refer to the combination of the English prefix re-, denoting a repeated action, and the word dare ("try"). In other words, rendering is a method of re-converting something into something.

Today it is considered that the term in the same English language appeared on the basis of Latin. In fact, this is not so important, because at the moment we are more interested in technology, thanks to which all this works.

Rendering mode in graphics

In applications intended for processing and editing graphics and video, rendering is sometimes understood as the processes of drawing or creating a flat image based on a 3D model.

This is necessary when converting a 3D image into the most common bitmap (not vector). In addition, with respect to graphics and video, the renderer is actively used in computer games when adjusting the screen parameters of a laptop or monitor for a stationary PC. What is rendering for this situation? This is the usual setting of the optimal parameters for displaying graphic content by setting the appropriate settings.

Methods used

The renderer in any graphic or video editor is a built-in conversion tool of its own format in the form of a software module that changes not only the extension of the final file, but also its contents (for example, image resolution or video bitrate).

Graphics processing can also be performed on the basis of a rough example, in the form of a so-called visualization, which is a conversion and format scheme, and textures.

However, the most common methods of implementation are ray tracing (representing the location of the camera that removes the selected object), rasterizing (processing selected areas of large surfaces), and calculating the lighting of the object. But this is not always the main thing.

Understanding rendering in audio editors

Adjustment of rendering in sound editors or DAW-studios can be represented on an example FL Studio at carrying out of final mastering.

The studio itself saves projects in FLP format by default. It, although it is considered one of the audio formats, nevertheless, except for the program itself, no other players open (due to the use of VST plug-ins and audio files not supported by standard systems).

Convert the format of FLP to the same MP3, WAV or OGG can only be using the rendering tool. It is called via the export menu or by the combination Ctrl + Shif + R (if you want MP3 format, which you can always change in the settings). Next, special attention should be given to the bit rate (for the highest quality it should be set at 320 kbit / s and the depth of sound at the maximum - not 16 bits, but 32 bits). Only after this, you can click the start button of the process.

Of course, the file size when choosing the optimal quality settings can be quite large (even in MP3, not to mention its initial wave form WAV), however, connoisseurs of quality sound will appreciate it.

In addition, in the settings you can apply a change in the sampling frequency. By default, in any virtual studio, as a rule, 44.1 kHz is set. But what prevents to put an option on 48 or even 96 kHz? Naturally, when rendering, the size of the destination file will be much larger than when exporting with the default settings. But professional musicians who understand what they are talking about will agree with this statement.

Finally, one of the most important conditions can be called the use of ASIO4ALL drivers, which provide the interaction of a virtual studio with a sound card or a connected synthesizer (MIDI keyboard). Setting at a delay level of 10 ms or 512 samples is optimal, but you can use the maximum (2048 for ASIO settings or how much RAM allows) to increase the buffer. Rendering error can also be associated with these options.

Afterword

As you can already conclude, the rendering process itself is reduced solely to the transformation of the properties of some object (both internal content and external format while saving). The fact that all this applies exclusively to the schedule, can not be said (although many information resources focus on it). The rendering of video or audio is equally one of the varieties of application of such technologies.

At least, you can only convert the "native" format of any multimedia program in this way. Here the question is only in choosing the desired application, setting the optimal settings and parameters, as well as the applicable export conditions. It is a question of which programs the final file can be opened, what content it should have, etc. Thus, when clarifying the purpose of these processes, it becomes quite obvious that the content and format change, regardless of which Multimedia program file was created from the very beginning. As it is already clear, one should not think that all these technologies relate exclusively to the schedule. Examples of their use can lead, not that much, but very much.