Today, graphics card manufacturer ATI released its new Catalyst Control Center driver utility. The new utility expands upon the original Catalyst driver pack by enabling easier video card configuration for novice users.

　　ATI simplified the 3D setting configuration process by combining multiple quality settings into a single slider. Adjusting the slider modifies such settings as antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, and texture quality.

　　To further ease user configuration, ATI has also included a real-time 3D demonstration window that allows the user to see the image-quality level offered by each setting. The sample demo consists of a 3D scene with a car driving down a road past various signs and billboards. Most of the image quality changes are noticeable within the windowed display area, but the demo can also be run in full-screen mode for up-close analysis. The Control Center offers a multiple views feature that gives the option to switch between advanced and simplified configuration settings, allowing more-experienced users to access the older 3D-setting-configuration style found in past Catalyst drivers.

　　The new Catalyst Control Center also includes skinning and profile options. ATI has partnered with Stardock to use its DirectSkin application to enable skinning options that allow for the use of customized user interface themes. The profiles feature allows users to attach preconfigured settings for any number of 3D applications, which can be launched via a desktop shortcut. For example, a user can tie the high-quality 3D settings to Doom 3. Clicking on the shortcut would load the profile and launch Doom 3.

　　The ATI Catalyst Control Center is available for download on ATI's Web site