In a network-linked computer graphics image rendering system serving to render images of objects in scenes, these objects are so rendered from high-resolution 3D models and textures that are, in particular, stored and maintained on one or more server computers in one or more libraries that are secure. Using stand-in object models and textures, design professionals at client computers are able to “fine-tune” and preview designs that incorporate objects stored securely in the server's(s') models' library(ies). Yet the high-resolution, 3D, relatively expensive, and proprietary object models remain completely secure at one (i.e., centralized) or more (i.e., distributed) server computers. 2D perspective-view or stereo in-situ photorealistic images of scenes incorporating these objects are rendered at the one or more sever computers, for subsequent remote viewing at the one or more client computers.