You can choose from multiple options to display your scene. You can display objects as simple boxes, or render them with smooth shading and texture mapping. If you want, you can choose a different display method for each viewport.
Tip: If you want to display individual objects as wireframe, you can use Wireframe materials. If you want individual objects to display as boxes, you can select the object and choose Display as Box on the Display properties rollout on the display panel.
Viewport rendering options are found on the Rendering Method panel of the Viewport Configuration dialog. Using this panel you choose a rendering level and any options associated with that level. You can then choose whether to apply those settings to the active viewport or all viewports, or to all but the active viewport.
The rendering level you choose is determined by your need for realistic display, accuracy, and speed. For example, Box Mode display is much faster than Smooth Shading with Highlights. The more realistic the rendering level, the slower the display speed.
After choosing a rendering level, you can set rendering options. Different options are available for different rendering levels.
Viewport rendering has no effect on final renderings produced by clicking Render Scene.
The rendering methods not only affect the quality of your view display, they can also have a profound effect on display performance. Using higher quality rendering levels and realistic options slows display performance.
After setting a rendering method, you can choose additional options that adjust display performance. One of these controls, Adaptive Degradation, speeds up display performance when you use realistic rendering levels.
Tip: If your scene mysteriously disappears and only displays as boxes when you rotate your viewport, you have pressed the “o” key on the keyboard, and unintentionally turned on Adaptive Degradation.
See Rendering Method.