Rendering refers to the process of generating a digital image or animation from a 3D model, scene or set of instructions. In computer graphics, rendering involves using a software application to apply lighting, textures and other visual effects to a 3D model, resulting in a 2D image or series of images that can be viewed or played back as an animation. The rendering process is computationally intensive and may take significant amounts of time to complete (up to several days), particularly for complex scenes with many objects, textures and lighting effects.

To render 3D animations, a render farm » is typically required.