TORCH

Customizing the way your computer looks usually starts by changing the wallpaper and screensaver. TORCH is a nice screensaver that stands apart from other similar tools.

The app has a simple interface that is quite easy to figure out, thanks to its simplicity.

Basically, TORCH uses a bump mapping algorithm to work. This technique simulates bumps and wrinkles on the surface of various objects. This is achieved by perturbing the normal surface of the object and using this during light calculations.

Thus, the result is a surface that appears to be bumpy rather than smooth, although the object hasn’t really changed.

The screensaver illustrates a gray metallic surface that is streaked with dark lines that create a more detailed surface. Each area is discovered slowly as a beacon of light moves across the screen.

Unlike other similar apps, TORCH can’t be installed by double-clicking the icon. However, the options must be chosen from the context menu. Then, the screensaver can be selected from a drop-down menu in the Windows Screen Saver Settings.

While there are no additional customization options available, you may still modify the number of minutes of idle time required before the screensaver covers the screen.  You may have the system display the logon screen on resume.

The bottom line is that TORCH is a nice tool that can bring something new to your desktop. Inexperienced users should find it easy to install, thanks to the overall simplicity of the task.