What does the term 'rendering' refer to in video editing?

Rendering in video editing refers to the process of processing video and audio effects. This crucial step involves the computer taking all the footage, effects, transitions, and edits applied to the project and compiling them into a single video file that reflects all those changes. During rendering, the software computes how all the elements fit together, ensuring that effects like color correction, transitions, or any applied audio adjustments are properly integrated into the final output. This is a fundamental stage before you export or share the finished product, as it transforms the edited video from a project that can be manipulated into a completed, viewable file.

The other options consist of tasks that are part of the video editing workflow, but they do not capture the specific meaning of rendering. Cutting clips, importing media, and adding text overlays are all actions performed during the editing phase, but rendering specifically refers to the final output generation process after all edits have been made.