Search the Lexicon - Multimedia & Creative Technology

API

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a collection of definitions and protocols that lets different software applications communicate. It acts as an intermediary that sends requests from one application to another and returns the response. APIs make it possible to use functionality from other services without knowing their internal workings.

Web programming backend

AR (Augmented Reality)

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information—such as images, text, or 3D models—on the real world. Unlike VR, AR does not replace reality; it enhances it. AR is often experienced via smartphones, tablets, or dedicated AR glasses.

3D design hardware

Bitrate

Bitrate is the amount of data processed or transferred per second, expressed in bits per second (bps). In audio and video, bitrate determines quality and file size. A higher bitrate means better quality but larger files. Bitrate can be constant (CBR) or variable (VBR).

Audio/Video software

Codec

A codec (coder-decoder) is software or hardware that compresses (encodes) and decompresses (decodes) media files. Codecs make large audio and video files smaller for storage and streaming while keeping quality. Popular video codecs include H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1.

Audio/Video software

Cycles

Cycles is Blender’s path-tracing render engine that simulates light in a physically realistic way. It computes global illumination, realistic shadows, reflections and refractions by tracing light paths, making it well suited for high‑quality final renders and productions where physical accuracy matters. Cycles can run on CPU and GPU (CUDA, OptiX, HIP, Metal depending on platform) and supports advanced features like subsurface scattering, caustics, volumetrics and denoising, but it is generally slower than real‑time engines like Eevee. Because it integrates tightly with Blender’s material node system, Cycles is a key tool in 3D modeling and shading pipelines for photoreal output.

3D software

Docker

Docker is an open-source platform that enables containerization. Containers are lightweight, isolated environments where applications run consistently regardless of the underlying system. Docker packages an application with all its dependencies in a container, solving "works on my machine" issues.

Web software devops

Eevee

Eevee is Blender’s real-time render engine designed for fast, interactive rendering of 3D scenes. Rather than path tracing, Eevee uses rasterization together with screen-space effects, shadow maps, and light probes to approximate lighting, shadows, and materials. This makes Eevee ideal for look-dev, previews, and animation iteration in 3D modeling and production, but less physically accurate than Cycles for final renders that require correct global illumination or caustics.

3D software

Frame Rate

Frame rate is the number of individual images (frames) shown per second to create motion. It is expressed in fps (frames per second). Higher frame rates result in smoother motion. Standard film is 24fps, TV 25/30fps, and gaming aims for 60fps or higher.

Audio/Video design software

Git

Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes in files. It enables developers to collaborate on projects, track changes, revert to earlier versions, and work on features in parallel via branches. Git is the industry standard for version control in software development.

Web 3D Audio/Video programming software

JavaScript

JavaScript is a dynamic programming language originally developed for web browsers. It enables interactive web pages and is now also used server-side (Node.js). JavaScript is essential for modern web development and supports both functional and object-oriented programming.

Web programming frontend

OBS Studio

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) Studio is free, open-source software for video recording and livestreaming. It supports multiple sources (screen, webcam, capture cards), scenes, filters, and effects. OBS is widely used by streamers, content creators, and for professional broadcasts.

Audio/Video software

Polygon

A polygon is a flat surface bounded by straight lines. In 3D graphics, polygons are the building blocks of 3D models. Most 3D models consist of thousands to millions of polygons (usually triangles). The number of polygons determines the level of detail of a model.

3D design software