Rendering is the process of depicting a 3D model through the display of shaded surfaces. MicroStation provides sophisticated photo-realistic rendering with the Vue rendering engine. It can quickly produce extremely high-quality images and animations from huge datasets that typically include vast numbers of parametrically replicated geometry elements.

Features of this technology that contribute to its high-quality renderings include global illumination and physically-based shading models. These provide advanced optical phenomena such as anisotropic blurry reflections, indirect caustics, and subsurface scattering. In addition, realistic camera models include lens distortion, motion blur, and depth of field. Physical sky and physical sun rendering provides accurate sunlight at any location. As well, there is support for photometric lighting through the IES standard.

How you approach rendering depends largely on what you require as the finished result. Render setups let you quickly change from quick draft level output through to the finished photo-realistic image.