RenderMan
RenderMan is the name of one of the Pixar Animation Studios developed standards for the rendering of computer graphics . Pixar's implementation of this standard is also called RenderMan - formerly PhotoRealistic RenderMan (PRMan).
RenderMan is involved in the production of the visual effects of today's Hollywood films such as Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings . Pixar provides a complete list on the RenderMan pages.
The name RenderMan is ambiguous as it is used to denote different things:
- RenderMan Interface Specification (RISpec) (with the RenderMan Shading Language ): Pixar's technical specification for a standard communication protocol (or an interface) between modeling and rendering programs that can generate photo-realistic images. This concept is similar to PostScript , but describes 3D scenes instead of 2D page layouts. The interface was first released in 1988 and designed to be future-proof enough to keep up with new technical developments for years to come.
- RenderMan (software) : As part of the RenderMan Pro Server package , it is a rendering program for the RenderMan interface, which was developed by Pixar based on its own specification. It is used internally at Pixar, but is also licensed to other companies.
- RenderMan for Maya : A simplified version of the RenderMan software, which is completely integrated into the 3D software Maya by means of a plug-in .
Pixar uses three other key technologies to complement RenderMan: Presto ™ (an animation program for rigging, animation and lighting), Ringmaster ™ (management program for production for scheduling, coordinating and monitoring animation projects) and Tractor ™ (a program for rendering processes manage). In contrast to Presto, which is exclusively an in-house program, Tractor can be purchased.
In the meantime there are other products based on the RenderMan Interface Specification , including the open source project Aqsis .
RenderMan was part of NeXTstep R3 under the name 3DKit.
Web links
RenderMan compliant renderers
- Digits' n Art's 3Delight
- Sitexgraphics' AIR (Advanced Image Rendering)
- Aqsis ( Open Source )
- jrMan ( Open Source , Java-based )
- Pixie ( Open Source )