We now know how to render 3D graphics that have either been generated in code or have been exported from a 3D modeling package. Which method we eventually use depends on what we are trying to do.

If rendering in game characters or scenery, the exported model route is definitely the best way to go; but creating our own polygon data in code is a much better and more efficient way of creating effects such as particle systems, since it is much easier to batch a large number of individual polygons into a single draw call.

We've also learnt how to export 3D model data from three different modeling packages—Maya, 3DS Max, and Blender—and load this exported data into our program and render it.

We'll be sticking with 3D rendering for a little while longer as the next chapter is all about making our models animated.