The following methods are available in Alias for rendering images.
Raycasting produces smooth shaded renderings that include shadows. Raycasting is faster than raytracing, but does not produce reflections or refraction (although you can simulate these using clever shaders).
Raytracing produces smooth shaded renderings that include optical effects such as reflections and refraction. It is the most realistic rendering possible, but much slower than raycasting.
Hidden line rendering produces outline renderings of objects that are filled with flat, unshaded color. Silhouettes of surfaces include the effect of any bump or displacement maps.