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# renderPassDescriptor

Creates a default render pass descriptor.

```
+ (MTLRenderPassDescriptor *) renderPassDescriptor;
```

## Return Value

A new render pass descriptor with no attachments at all.

## Discussion

Set the desired color attachments with the [`setObject:atIndexedSubscript:`](/documentation/Metal/MTLRenderPassColorAttachmentDescriptorArray/setObject:atIndexedSubscript:) method of the [`colorAttachments`](/documentation/Metal/MTLRenderPassDescriptor/colorAttachments) property. Set the desired depth and stencil attachments with the [`depthAttachment`](/documentation/Metal/MTLRenderPassDescriptor/depthAttachment) and [`stencilAttachment`](/documentation/Metal/MTLRenderPassDescriptor/stencilAttachment) properties, respectively.

## See Also

  [Metal Shading Language Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Metal/Reference/MetalShadingLanguageGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014364)

  [Metal Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Miscellaneous/Conceptual/MetalProgrammingGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014221)



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