Surely, many users of modern computer systems have come up with 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 deep misconception, since rendering, as such, has a broader understanding and is used in multimedia in the broadest sense.
What is rendering in the most general case and with respect to individual programs, it is further proposed to study. But let's start with the term itself.
What is general rendering?
Based on the most common translation, we can say that this process is the conversion of the original graphic or multimedia material used in a specific program to another format that is universal and is recognized by regular means of the operating system (it doesn’t matter which one is installed) or applications included in standard sets.
In graphics, rendering is a means of changing a three-dimensional image to 2D or vice versa. Just to talk about what rendering is, as applied only to graphic editors, is a deliberately erroneous statement, although it is not without meaning.
Origin of the term
Rendering is believed to relate to the combination of the English pre- prefix re-, denoting 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 this 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 the technology, thanks to which it all works.
Graphics Rendering Mode
In applications designed for processing and editing graphics and video, sometimes it is customary to understand rendering processes as drawing or creating a flat image based on a three-dimensional model.
This is sometimes necessary when converting a 3D image to the most common bitmap image (and not a vector one). In addition, regarding graphics and video, the render is actively used in computer games when adjusting the screen settings of a laptop or monitor for a stationary PC. What is rendering in relation to such a situation? This is the usual setting of optimal display parameters for graphic content by setting the appropriate settings.
Applied Techniques
The rendering device in any graphic or video editor is a built-in means of converting 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, picture resolution or video bitrate).
Graphics processing can also be done on the basis of a crude example, in the form of the so-called visualization, which is a transformation scheme for both format and texture.
However, the most common implementation methods are considered to be ray tracing (representing the location of the camera that takes a selected object), rasterization (processing of selected areas of large surfaces), and calculation of object illumination. But this is not always the main thing.
Understanding Rendering in Audio Editors
Rendering settings in sound editors or DAW-studios can be represented by the example of FL Studio during the final mastering.
The studio itself by default saves projects in FLP format. Although it is considered one of the audio formats, nevertheless, apart from the program itself, it cannot be opened by any other players (due to the use of VST-plugins and sound files that are not supported by standard systems).
Convert the FLP format to the same MP3, WAV or OGG is possible exclusively with the help of the rendering tool. It is called through the export menu or by a combination of Ctrl + Shif + R (if you need an MP3 format, which can always be changed in the settings). Further, special attention should be paid to the bitrate (for the highest quality, you should set 320 kbps and the maximum sound depth is not 16 bits, but 32 bits). Only after that you can click on 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 waveform 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 the option from being set to 48 or even 96 kHz? Naturally, when rendering, the size of the final file will be much larger than when exporting with the default settings. But professional musicians who understand what is at stake will agree with this statement.
Finally, one of the most important conditions can be called the use of ASIO4ALL drivers, which provide virtual studio interaction with a sound card or a connected synthesizer (MIDI keyboard). Setting it to a delay level of 10 ms or 512 samples is optimal, but you can use a maximum to increase the buffer (2048 for ASIO settings or how much more RAM allows). A rendering error may also be associated with these options.
Afterword
As we can already conclude, the rendering process itself is reduced solely to transforming the properties of an object (both internal content and external format when saving). The fact that all this applies exclusively to the schedule cannot be said (although many information resources focus on it). Rendering video or audio is equally one of the uses of such technologies.
At the very least, converting the "native" format of any multimedia program is possible only in this way. The question here is only in the preference for choosing the desired application, setting the optimal settings and parameters, as well as the applicable export conditions. It is about what kind of programs it will be possible to open the final file, what content it should have, etc. Thus, when clarifying the issue of the purpose of these processes, it becomes completely clear the change in content and format, regardless of which A multimedia program file was created initially. As already understood, one should not think that all these technologies relate exclusively to graphics. Examples of their use can be given not so much, but a lot.