You can install the Softimage renderer or the mental ray rendering software, or both.
Softimage renderer
This is the default raytracing renderer that lets you can perform complete rendering tasks.
You can run the Softimage renderer from within the SOFTIMAGE|3D interface or from the command line (type soft –R).
mental ray rendering software
The mental ray rendering software is a high-quality, photorealistic renderer. It provides an extensive set of built-in functions and can be dynamically linked with user-defined shaders during the rendering process.
The mental ray software gives you lots of versatility and excellent image quality. Its open architecture gives you the option of writing and applying custom shaders. One of the most advanced features of mental ray is its ability to run concurrently over a network of machines, which significantly increases rendering speed.
The mental ray rendering software supports the following features:
· True multi-threaded rendering
· RenderMap command
· Toon shaders
· FxDirector feature
· Contour rendering
You can run the mental ray rendering software from within the SOFTIMAGE|3D interface or from the command line (ray.irix5 script on IRIX and Linux; ray2.exe on Windows).