Rendering means creating an image from a description of a scene, its objects and light sources and the viewer. In other words, putting the information you have given the computer about objects, lighting and the camera together to form a 3D image.  Here is an example of a rendered image - it is a sphere with two lights shining on it.

Start a new Blender project, and add a sphere to it. 

To render a scene we must first have a lamp to illuminate the scene. To add a  lamp press Space bar> ADD > LAMP.

Your lamp will appear as a small on the page.  You can access the menu for editing lamps by pressing F4 or clicking the lamps button below the 3D window. 

Add another lamp, so you have one each side of your sphere.  

You can move your lamps in the same way as you move objects.  Select them by right clicking, then press G and move the mouse until it is in position.

Check and adjust the position of your lamps in each of the views:

Top (7), Side (3) and Front (1) 

You may find it easier to divide your 3D window into separate windows.

To render your scene, press F12.  To get rid of the rendering, press Esc.  To view it again, press F11.

Making shadows

Shadows make your scene look more realistic.  SpotLamps are the only type of lamp that cast shadows.  You need to adjust your spotlamp (Grab=G, Rotate=R) so that it is shining on your object. The dotted cone is where the light will hit your object.  Anything out of the cone will not receive the spotlight's light.  (Check all views:  Front, top and side)



You can adjust the brightness and colour of your lamp, using the lamp buttons. (Make sure you select your lamp first by right clicking)

To make the shadows of the spotlamp render you must select the shadows option in the render buttons area.

To antialias the render you must click the OSA button below the large Render button.

Making your Object Appear Smooth

You will notice that because your sphere was created from a wireframe, it does not appear smooth and round when rendered.  You can fix this by selecting your sphere, open the edit buttons window, and click on the Set Smooth button.

Create a new 3D scene with 3 different objects with several different coloured lights.