Render Network is a protocol that leverages blockchain technology to democratise access to resources, particularly graphics processing units (GPUs), for content rendering and AI image creation. It is a kind of bridge that connects those who need GPU computing power with those who have it. Here’s what RENDER is and how it works.
What is Render (RENDER), and how did it originate?
The Render Network project was founded in 2017 by Jules Urbach, then CEO of OTOY, a company specialising in rendering and computer graphics. This solution stems from an ambitious, potentially revolutionary idea: using blockchain technology to transform graphics rendering.
To fully understand what Render (RENDER) is and how it works, it is necessary to have a general understanding of the process. Rendering, in simple terms, is the process of obtaining a highly realistic artificial image from a 3D model. At the same time, however, it is extremely time-consuming and hardware-intensive. This is especially true if you want to render content that meets today’s high graphics standards, particularly those intended for virtual and augmented reality.
This problem introduces the primary reason Jules Urbach considered blockchain technology: to harness excess computing power and enable everyone to access it in a decentralised manner. To achieve this, Render Network chose the Solana blockchain, creating a virtual ‘place’ where GPU owners and creators meet and collaborate, using the RENDER token as the currency.
The main strength of the protocol is that it democratises access to the resources needed to perform this task. In this way, even creators who work independently can, by participating in the network, produce high-quality 3D content or develop AI models without having to purchase expensive components.Now that we understand the project’s core mission, let’s take a closer look at how Render (RENDER) works in practice.
How does Render Network operate?
Now that we understand what the Render Network is, we can focus on its technical implementation. The process begins directly with the creators, who upload their projects to the network along with the required data and specifications. Once rendered, these will take the form of high-resolution images or 3D videos.
Next, the dynamic pricing system comes into play, estimating the value of the work that GPUs made available by network participants must perform.
Once the project is published, the network distributes the workload across available GPUs. This seemingly complex process is fully automated by a sophisticated algorithm that assigns projects to maximise efficiency. The ‘chosen’ GPU renders the project, produces the required result, and the validation system verifies that everything was done correctly. This step is called ‘Proof of Render’ because the process is similar to the one used by consensus algorithms to validate transactions on blockchains.
After that, there is only one step left to fully understand how the Render Network works. This is certainly the most eagerly awaited step for those who provide the hardware required for rendering projects, as it involves paying commissions. Content creators pay GPU providers using the RENDER token, which is distributed based on the complexity of the work performed and the resources used.
The RENDER token and the rendering economy
Now that you know what Render Network is and how it works, it is time to analyse its utility and governance token, RENDER, which is essential to the protocol’s functioning. Blockchain projects do not always require a token to function. However, this is not the case with Render, whose ecosystem and rendering economy are based precisely on the RENDER token.
RENDER is a token built on the Solana blockchain and is primarily used to access the platform’s decentralised rendering service. This is divided into tiers based on the quality and speed of the service provided by graphics card (GPU) owners. Currently, only Tier 2 and Tier 3 are available, nicknamed ‘Priority’ and ‘Economy’ respectively. Tier 1, on the other hand, where the work will be carried out by ‘Trusted Partners’, has yet to be released. After selecting one of these types and uploading the project to the platform, the creator pays in RENDER tokens and waits for completion.
Reward System and Governance
Render Network, however, also uses a reward system for those who provide computing power through GPUs. These users act as validator nodes on a blockchain: they provide the network with graphics cards they are not using and earn RENDER as a reward. The amount of RENDER tokens earned depends on the level, duration and complexity of the rendering work.
Render Network also operates under governance mechanisms accessible only via the RENDER token. In this case, the decision-making structure is fairly standard: RENDER holders can publish their improvement proposals. Render Network Proposals (RNPs) must receive two user votes and a team review before implementation.
Roadmap and migration to Solana
In addition to consolidating its leadership in traditional 3D rendering, Render Network is expanding its reach to become the first decentralised computer capable of creating content for 3D AI.
As stated by Sunny Osahn, ecosystem & adoption lead at Render Network, the goal is to capitalise on the explosion of generative artificial intelligence, transforming the network into an infrastructure capable of handling both graphics computing and the training of complex AI models.
By making unused GPUs available and meeting the relentless demand for them in AI development processes, Render Network has the characteristics to play a leading role in this sector, enabling blockchain technology to explore a new use case.
Conclusions
Returning to the initial question, to those who wonder what Render Network is and how it works, we could answer that it is an innovative project that aims to leverage blockchain technology to democratise access to content rendering and create the first decentralised computer for the creation of artificial intelligence content.
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