Software rendering: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:26, 10 September 2019

Revision as of 02:52, 26 December 2019

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[[File:Software renderer embedded.gif|thumb|right|Software renderer running on a device without a [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]].]]

'''Software rendering''' is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software. In the context of [[rendering (computer graphics)|computer graphics rendering]], software rendering refers to a rendering process that is not dependent upon [[graphics hardware]] [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASICs]], 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.