Render your model scene

Render the model using the current renderer producing a color image in a separate display window.

Rendering overview

The process needed to render scenes consists of four basic steps:

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Add lighting

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Assign materials

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Set up the environment

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Render

Although the steps do not have to be done in this order, using this method seems to make setting up a scene more efficient. To improve quality, repeat these steps until the image looks right to you.

Set up materials

Assign materials to layers

In the Layers dialog box, select one or more layer names, and click in the Material column.

In the Layer Material dialog box, set up material properties.

Assign materials to objects

Select an object.

On the Edit menu, click Object Properties.

In the Properties panel, on the Material page, set up material properties.

Set up lighting

Add spotlights or other lights.

Set up the rendering environment

The rendering properties include environment settings like background color and image.

Open the Environment Editor.

Set up environment properties.

Turn on a ground plane

Open the Ground Plane panel.

Set up ground plane properties.

Render and save

On the Render menu, click Render.

In the Render Window, on the File menu, click Save As.

Set up and preview rendering

Toolbar: Render Tools Lights

Open the Lights panel.

Toolbar: Render Tools EnvironmentEditor

Background color, image, projection.

Toolbar: Properties MaterialProperties

Assignment, color, bump, environment map, name, texture, transparency.

Toolbar: Render Tools SynchronizeRenderColors

Change an object's material color to match its object or layer display color.

Toolbar: Display | Popup Rendered viewport display mode

Shade objects with a simulation of the rendered view.

Toolbar: Render Tools RenderPreview

Render the view in the render window with a with a rough quality for a fast preview.

Not on toolbars. RenderPreviewWindow

Render a selected area in the viewport with a rough quality for a fast preview.

Not on toolbars. RenderInWindow

Render a selected area in the render window at viewport resolution.

Not on toolbars. RenderPreviewInWindow

Render a selected area in the render window with a rough quality for a fast preview.

Manage libraries, previews, support, texture size.

Not on toolbars. ShowRenderMesh

Display the render mesh for selected objects.

Not on toolbars. HideRenderMesh

Hide the render mesh displayed with the ShowRenderMesh command.

Not on toolbars. ContentFilter

Open the Content Filter dialog box.

Render

Toolbar: Render Tools | Standard Render

Render the objects using the current renderer.

Not on toolbars. RenderWindow

Render a selected area in the viewport at viewport resolution.

Not on toolbars. RenderInWindow

Render a selected area in the render window at viewport resolution.

Not on toolbars. SetCurrentRenderPlugIn

Specify a rendering plug-in.