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Graphics pipeline
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<p>The <a href="/facts/Computer_graphics/lapBE8wv">computer graphics</a> pipeline, also known as the rendering pipeline, or graphics pipeline, is a framework within computer graphics that outlines the necessary procedures for transforming a <a href="/facts/3D_computer_graphics/zlWW6eaF">three-dimensional (3D)</a> scene into a <a href="/facts/2D_computer_graphics/j6dBxDpX">two-dimensional (2D)</a> representation on a screen. Once a 3D model is generated, the graphics pipeline converts the model into a visually perceivable format on the computer display. Due to the dependence on specific <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a>, <a href="/facts/Computer_hardware/8jSjsCNv">hardware</a> configurations, and desired display attributes, a universally applicable graphics pipeline does not exist. Nevertheless, graphics <a href="/facts/API/GMlN4vUr">application programming interfaces</a> (APIs), such as <a href="/facts/Direct3D/WHJ6DTcv">Direct3D</a>, <a href="/facts/OpenGL/xQoMWePr">OpenGL</a> and <a href="/facts/Vulkan/e188Vdpc">Vulkan</a> were developed to standardize common procedures and oversee the graphics pipeline of a given hardware accelerator. These APIs provide an abstraction layer over the underlying hardware, relieving <a href="/facts/Programmer/WGTS1Jv9">programmers</a> from the need to write code explicitly targeting various graphics hardware accelerators like <a href="/facts/AMD/CB1G7QTb">AMD</a>, <a href="/facts/Intel/SMF0gJJX">Intel</a>, <a href="/facts/Nvidia/8QfCgqbu">Nvidia</a>, and others. </p><p>The model of the graphics pipeline is usually used in real-time rendering. Often, most of the pipeline steps are implemented in hardware, which allows for special <a href="/facts/Program_optimization/nXz6RpRM">optimizations</a>. The term "pipeline" is used in a similar sense for the pipeline in <a href="/facts/Central_processing_unit/Jxp1bqMV">processors</a>: the individual steps of the pipeline run in parallel as long as any given step has what it needs. </p>