2008

TIP Smaller images render much more quickly. For example, you can use
320 x 240 to render draft images, then change to a larger size for your final
work.
To save the rendered still image in a file:
1 In the Render Output group, click Files.
2 In the file dialog, specify a name and a type for the image file, and then
click OK.
The Save File toggle turns on.
You can later turn off Save File if you want only to view the rendering
on screen.
NOTE The file dialog has a Setup button. This displays a subdialog that lets
you choose options specific to the file type you are saving to.
To alter the pixel aspect ratio:
■ In the Output Size group of the Render Scene dialog, adjust the Pixel Aspect
Ratio to fit the requirements of your output device.
The Image Aspect Ratio field updates to show what the aspect of the
rendered image will be.
If you alter pixel aspect ratio but also render to a window or a file, the
rendered image appears distorted.
To speed up rendering time for the purpose of a test (or draft) rendering:
1 In the Options group of the Common Parameters panel, turn on Area
Lights/Shadows As Points.
2 Set any other parameters and click Render.
All area and linear lights in the scene are treated as point lights during
the rendering. This reduces rendering time, however some quality is lost.
When you are ready to render at high quality, you can simply turn off
Area Lights/Shadows As Points and render again.
NOTE Scenes with radiosity on page 5976 are not affected by the Area
Lights/Shadows As Points toggle, as area lights do not have a significant effect
on the performance of a radiosity solution.
5930 | Chapter 18 Rendering