Software rendering: Difference between revisions

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'''Software rendering''' is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software. Rendering is used in architecture, simulators, video games, movies and television visual effects and design visualization. Rendering, the last step in an animation process, gives the final appearance to the models and animation with visual effects such as shading, texture-mapping, shadows, reflections and motion blurs.<ref>http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?id=17940930&siteID=123112</ref> In the context of [[rendering (computer graphics)]], software rendering refers to a rendering process that is absent [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASICs]] for [[graphics hardware]], such as a [[graphics card]]. The rendering takes place entirely in the [[Central processing unit|CPU]]. Rendering everything with the (general-purpose) CPU has the main advantage that it is not restricted to the (limited) capabilities of graphics hardware, but the disadvantage that more semiconductors are needed to obtain the same speed.