pre-rendered
Computed before display
Pre-rendered describes graphics or video that have been processed and finalized before being displayed, rather than generated in real time.
In video games, pre-rendered cutscenes are higher-quality cinematic sequences created in advance, contrasting with gameplay graphics the system calculates on the fly: The pre-rendered intro looked amazing, but actual gameplay was less impressive.
The term appears in animation, architecture visualization, and any context where computational work happens beforehand rather than at the moment of viewing.
Non-interactive game sequence
- cinematicRelating to motion pictures
- introBrief opening section
- outroSong's closing section
- loading screenDisplay during data transfer
non-interactive · storytelling · narrative · exposition · interlude · prologue · epilogue · CGI
Digital movie imagery
- compositingCombining visual elements digitally
- ray tracingRendering via light physics
- photorealismArt imitating camera accuracy
- matte paintingPainted image replacing scenery
post-production · motion blur · depth of field · texture mapping · shading · chroma key · storyboard · animatic
Mathematical processing work
- modelingSimulating or demonstrating form
- finite elementNumerical method using subdivisions
- Monte CarloProbability estimation through randomness
- dynamicsStudy of forces
stochastic · deterministic · fluid dynamics · collision detection · interpolation · keyframed
cutscene
Non-interactive game sequence
loading screen · non-interactive · storytelling · narrative · exposition · interlude · prologue · epilogue · CGI
CGI
Digital movie imagery
- compositingCombining visual elements digitally
- ray tracingRendering via light physics
- photorealismArt imitating camera accuracy
matte painting · post-production · motion blur · depth of field · texture mapping · shading · chroma key · storyboard · animatic
computation
Mathematical processing work
- modelingSimulating or demonstrating form
- finite elementNumerical method using subdivisions
- Monte CarloProbability estimation through randomness
dynamics · stochastic · deterministic · fluid dynamics · collision detection · interpolation · keyframed
pre-renderedreal-time
Occurring without processing delay
interactive · on-the-fly · dynamic · responsive · adaptive