GLOSSARY
3DS MAX's default renderer is called the scanline renderer. You use the scanline renderer when you render a scene either from the Render Scene dialog or from Video Post. The Material Editor also uses the scanline renderer to display materials and maps.
3DS MAX displays the image produced by the scanline renderer in the virtual frame buffer, which is a separate window with its own controls.
As the name implies, the scanline renderer renders the scene as a series of horizontal lines. 3DS MAX also has the interactive, viewport renderer to provide a quick and simple rendered view of your scene as you work on it. You may also have other plug-in or third-party renderers which you've installed to work with 3DS MAX.