Controlling Viewport Rendering

Viewport rendering options are found on the Rendering Methods panel of the Viewport Configuration dialog. Using this panel you choose a rendering level and any options associated with that level. You can then choose whether to apply those settings to the active viewport or all viewports.

The rendering level you choose is determined by your need for realistic display, accuracy, and speed. For example, Box Mode display is much faster than Smooth Shading with Highlights. The more realistic the rendering level, the slower the display speed.

After choosing a rendering level, you can set rendering options. Different options are available for different rendering levels.

You can also use ActiveShade in a viewport. This feature helps you quickly preview changes you make to lighting and materials.

Viewport rendering has no effect on final renderings produced by clicking Render Scene.

The rendering methods not only affect the quality of your view display, they can also have a profound effect on display performance. Using higher quality rendering levels and realistic options slows display performance.

After setting a rendering method, you can choose additional options that adjust display performance. One of these controls, Adaptive Degradation, speeds up display performance when you use realistic rendering levels.

See Rendering Method.