Preview Server is a Windows service that manages a pool of Viz Engine processes. Client software, such as Viz Multichannel, Viz Pilot, and Viz Trio, can send requests to Preview Server, requesting available Viz Engine processes. The responding Viz Engine process may provide frames for thumbnails and snapshots in an ongoing preview process.

As its name indicates, Preview Server provides Viz Engine connections to clients during the creative preview process. When the output is finalized and actually being played out, Viz Engine processes provided by Preview Server are replaced by the Viz Engine specified directly by each client.

The preview snapshots provide the user with an indication of the look of the graphics when they will finally be played out in high resolution on a Viz Engine. Preview Server provides load balancing, and you can use it to create a redundant renderer pool.

For more details, see the Preview Server Administrator Guide.