Test render a low-res still or frame

User Guide > Rendering and Render Setup > Rendering > Visualize and render images > Visualize scenes and render images > Visualize a scene >

The time Maya takes to software render a scene is directly proportional to the resolution: the larger the resolution, the more time it takes.

If you want to get a feel for the final rendered look quickly, you can render of a still image or single frame of an animation. Typically, a resolution half to a quarter of the size lets you get a good feel for the software rendered look.

NoteTo ensure the best quality display of your rendered image, select the 1:1 (the real size) option in Render View before you render.

To test render a still image

From Render View (Window > Rendering Editors > Render View), click Options > Test Resolution, then select a resolution.
Select the camera view you want to render from the Render > Render submenu.
Maya renders the scene and displays the image as it renders in Render View.
- To cancel the render, press Esc.
- To re-render the frame, select Render > Redo Previous Render.