Rendering Default Settings

To set the default Rendering settings, from the menu Settings, click on Preferences

click on Render Settings

Default Render Settings

These settings are the one used when clicking on the Trace/Shadow icon while in a 3D view

The Same settings will appear in the alternative way to start a rendering.

Controls the general lighting level in the scene.

Ambient @ 0%

Ambient @ 50%

Ambient  @ 100%

         Any fixtures below the percentage set here will not be shown

         Controls whether shadows show up on objects, everything or nothing at all.  Less shadows will take less time to render.

Shadow = None

Shadow = On Object (smoke rays goes through objects)

Shadow = Always

Smoke

Turns smoke or haze in the atmosphere on or off. Smoke on slows down the rendering process.

No Smoke

With Smoke

Controls the level of smoke in the scene.

Smoke Density @ 1

Smoke Density @ 15

Smoke Density @ 30

Controls whether the smoke is evenly spread out, like a haze machine or in puffs like it might be from a smoke machine.

Smoke Type: Haze @ 1

Smoke Type:  Haze / Puff @ 15

Smoke Type        : Puff @ 30

Anti-Aliasing is a process that soften the edges in a rendering process. It does take a little more time, but makes rendering more natural.

Without Anti-Aliasing

approximately-Aliasing

Imagine the White level as the eyes sensitivity or camera sensitivity. It could be explained as the amount of light require to have a white surface looking white...

 The default value of 2200.00 lux  (200 foot candle) is appropriate for more stage rendering        

 However, for exterior architectural rendering a setting of 800 lux (75 foot candle) could be more appropriate...

In a relatively low ambient light level, the eyes is more sensitive, let say 500 lux

In a normal ambient light level the lux level for white is approximately 2200 lux

In a situation when you have light blasting directly in the camera, a level of 5000 lux could be used...

Here's some example of the same scene render at different white level.

In this example, a level of 1000 lux appears to be normal.

White Level @ 5000        

White Level @ 2200 (Default)

White Level @ 1000        

White Level @ 500

White Level @ 100