3D Rendering
To save time only render a preview in smaller output size 640 X 480. When making previews you can also use "render cropped region". Only use shadows, in final render. Use ray-traced reflections and refractions, when it is needed, namely in scenes with water, marble, glass and mirrors. Shadow mapping display more soft edges and require less rendering time. Ray-traced shadows have more accurate and hard edges. The ray-traced shadows also transmit color from transparent and translucent objects. However this shadow setting require more rendering time. Use only 1 or 2 lights in a scene. The excepting is indoor interior, where is many lamps and spotlights. Only use sunlight in a outdoor scene. If using sunlight, then adjust light intensity, time and date depending on the atmosphere you want to set. Use the necessary time to adjust falloff angle in cone of spotlight, light intensity and the angle from light source to target. Some scenery require that you combine point light with spotlight