============================================================================= = - USA REPORT ------------------------------------------------------------ = ============================================================================= >>CAD Caligari PRO Design ($495), by Octree, is the lowest end version of "Caligari Broadcast". This version is includes the 3-D design and model- ing capabilities of Caligari Broadcast (including the editing of single points), but not its animation abilities. And like its bigger brothers, Caligari PRO Design requires an accelerated Amiga with at least 3MB of RAM. DesignWorks ($125), by New Horizons Software, is a renamed version of the "Graphic Designer" program described in issue 19 of "Newsflash". There it was described as "a structured drawing program for those who have neither the time nor the money to purchase and master CAD programs, but still need to create precise and detailed drawings. It accomplishes this by treating graphic elements as independent objects that may be arranged or modified, rather than as collections of pixels. With not only a 'smoothable' curves algorithm (Bezier), but a multi-layer drawings capacity as well, Graphic Designer also permits the user to use any Amiga font -- regardless of size or style -- in a drawing. And with an ARexx port, a complete macro language and a variety of printing options, it offers considerable flexibility and control to the non-professional designer." As for the renamed package, it is to be noted that it includes all the features one would need for any sort of structured draw- ing intended for use in desktop publishing. In fact, the program was designed for consistency with New Horizon's "ProWrite" graphics-based wordprocessor. What is more, DesignWorks allows up to ten drawings to be open at once, with drawings up to 100" X 100" in size. Other features worth noting center on its printing: near PostScript quality printing on dot-matrix printers, full 4096 color printing, and full printer control (including orientation). For the non-professional designer who needs to do structured design or drawing now and then, this program is a viable option. >>COMMUNICATIONS >MODEMS SupraModem 2400 Plus ($239.95), by Supra, is an external, 2400- baud modem that supports the Microcom Network Protocol (MNP) for greater error reduction. SupraModem 2400zi Plus ($229.95), by Supra, is an internal, 2400- baud, MNP modem for Amiga 2000's and 3000's that permits the use of up to five different modems to be used at the same time. SupraModem 2400 MNP ($199.95), by Supra, is a basic version of the '2400 Plus', with the same baud rate, but less data compression and error protection. For $40, the user can upgrade it to the functionality of a '2400 Plus' at a later date. SupraModem 9600 ($699.95), by Supra, is an external 9600-baud modem that is Hayes compatible, has asynchronous and synchronous opera- tion, auto dial, and adjustable volume; and is compatabile with most other communications software. When connected to another modem support- ing the same protocols it is capable of speeds of 38,400 bps. With a five year warranty, it supports CCITT V.32 (the industry standard), toge- ther with CCITT V42bis, and MNP 2-5. >SOFTWARE MindLink ($49.95), by Centaur, is a set of multitasking communi- cations programs for on-line power users. The package includes such fea- tures as an integrated CLI and text editor, a user definable ASCII table, 20 function keys with password protection, a programmable timer, real- time monitoring of on-line costs, its own scripting language, file trans- fer protocols that include X-Modem, Y-Modem, and Z-Modem, user selectable data transfer speeds (from 300 baud to MIDI or 31,250 baud), and a 'chat mode' that allows the user to talk while transferring data files. The program is WorkBench 2.0 compatible. ProImage 1.21 ($149.95), by Communications Systems, is an update version of the program described in issue 19 of "NewsFlash". There it was described as "a menu-driven software program that displays and updates color IFF images -- including those that are hi-res -- in up to 4096 colors. Interestingly, ProImage may be controlled remotely by any- one with a telephone, a modem, and the proper password(s). For it per- mits the establishment of a multiple user base, together with password controlled levels of security. At the same time, it also contains a pow- erful scripting capacity that provides its user with complete control over the sequences, dates, and times of display used in its automated mode. Additionally, the program allows images with a resolution of up to 736 X 482, and may be customized to fit the user's precise requirements." Among recent enhancements to this already formidable program is improved playback speed of large animation files and an upgraded BBS module able to work with a variety of modems. For those who are unsure that ProImage is really what they want, a video tape demo is available from Communica- tions Systems Engineering. ============================================================================= = - USA REPORT ------------------------------------------------------------ = =============================================================================