CyberGFX 4.0 & update 4.1 - the Graphic engine.

In short:	Graphic card driver package. Support for all common graphic cards. A commercial product since version 4.0 4.0 to 4.1 is a free downloadable upgrade from the internet: Frank Mariak http://www.vgr.com Distributed by Stefan Ossowskis Schatzruhe
Product tested by:	Robert Niessner@vexcel.co.at
Test System:	Amiga 4000-060/PPC-233 MHz 80 MB Ram 0.5 GB IDE + 1.2 GB IDE + 4.5 GB UW-SCSI GB HD 6x NEC SCSI-CDRom CV-PPC VLab-Motion AGA-Flickerfixer 3Com U.S.Robotics 56k Faxmodem
Test tools:	Mouse Keyboard Cyber Vision PPC graphic card.

How it works...

Cybergraphics has come a long way since it was part of the official development package for Cyber Vision 64. I can hardly remember the first version as it was originally packaged with my Cybervision 64. Nothing functioned, crashes and graphic errors were all too common. With the passage of time and the incrementation of version numbers Cybergraphics has grown up. While version 2.0 had to be purchased (except for owners of the Cyber Vision 64), Version 3.0 was a free download from Aminet or the Cybergraphics home page. With the public release of version 4.0 the conditions have once again changed. Everyone other than CVPPC owners must at least pay an upgrade fee. That is truly the price of the small market in which we Amiga users now live.

What's new?

improved memory management

error recovery

extended CGXMode with new functions e.g. VESA Mode

Cybergraphics Commodity program

direct support for V43 picture.datatype

detailed documentation and FAQ

all required data and drivers are contained on one CD

Requirements?

68020 - 68060 CPU

Amiga OS 3.x

Cybergraphics supports graphic cards.

Why should I upgrade?

I asked myself this question after I had installed the new version and performed extensive testing. What were the differences from version 3.0? After close examination I only found one specific: Fantastic Dreams now functions in the direct memory mode with out fail. This was a critical point in my earlier review of Fantastic Dreams. In search of an additional advantage I started the program P96 Speed 1.2. By extensive tests of practically all of the important resolutions and color depths I was unable to discern any appreciable speed differences between versions. The results, taking in account the standard deviations for measurement error, were identical. Unfortunate, one would have thought that there was something that could have been further optimized.

I also had no stability problems before the update. Still one less reason, for the moment, to update. That could, however, quickly change - namely when the first software program is released that directly utilizes the full capabilities of CGFX 4.

Note for Fusion users:

The tooltype "DRAGGING" should be set to "NO." There is also a new Cybergraphics driver downloadable from the Fusion home page.

Summation:

It is not absolutely necessary to upgrade, but that could change. Whomever would like to support the developer should get the CD. After all it doesn't cost that much.

On this occasion, I am resigned to admit, that all considered, I really don't know what to recommend.

Robert Niessner
Tom Lively