Draw distance is a computer graphics term, defined as the maximum distance of objects in a three dimensional scene that are drawn by the rendering engine. Polygons that lie behind the draw distance won't be drawn to the screen.
As the draw distance increases more distant polygons need to be drawn onto the screen that would regularly be clipped. This requires more computing power. This means the graphic quality and realism of the scene will increase as draw distance increases, but the overall performance (frames per second) will decrease. Many games and applications will allow users to manually set the draw distance to balance performance and visuals.
Read more about Draw Distance: Problems in Older Games, Alternatives
Famous quotes containing the words draw and/or distance:
“When you draw near to a town to fight against it, offer it terms of peace.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Deuteronomy 20:10.
“I am considered a misanthropist now and then, because I do not socialize with many people. But it’s only my mind that avoids you, my heart is still with you, and seeks the distance so that it can keep on loving you.”
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)