The 3D Printing Market or Additive manufacturing is the process of generating real physical objects using 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) models by depositing materials on successive layers.

Software rendering is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software. In the context of computer graphics rendering, software rendering refers to a rendering process that is not dependent upon graphics hardware ASICs, such as a graphics card. The rendering takes place entirely in the CPU.

4D printing technology is an extension of 3D printing and offers improved quality, efficiency, and performance capabilities over conventional manufacturing techniques. 4-dimensional printing, also known as 4D bioprinting, active origami, or shape-morphing systems, uses the same processes like 3D printing to build a three-dimensional item through computer-programmed deposition of material in consecutive layers. 4D printing, on the other hand, adds the dimension of change through time. It is thus a type of programmable matter, in which the printed object reacts to environmental conditions and alters its shape as a result of the creation process.