What does the "Rendering" process do in Final Cut Pro?

The rendering process in Final Cut Pro is essential for ensuring that the effects, transitions, and other complex visual elements applied to video clips can be played back smoothly in real-time during editing. When edits are made, such as adding effects or transitions, they require additional processing power to display correctly. Rendering creates pre-compiled versions of these edits, which allows for a more fluid editing experience without lag or stutter.

This process does not involve exporting the final video, which is a separate step where the completed project is formatted for delivery. It also does not involve importing media files or saving project settings, both of which are foundational activities that occur at different stages in the editing workflow. Rendering is specifically focused on preparing the visual elements in the project for efficient playback, making it a crucial step in the post-production process.