Compiz: 3D Desktop

Setting 3D Desktop in Slackware 12.0

Andrei Osin  
July 13, Friday 2007
 compiz


OpenGL driven 3D Desktop is a relatively new fancy feature of modern window managers.

You need good graphics card (Nvidia, Intel, ATI) and proprietary Linux drivers

ATI Xpress 200G sucks ... ATI drivers are not ready yet
Nvidia GeForce : drivers from Nvidia
    MX 4000                                              NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-9639-pkg1.run
    6200LE, 6200SE,7200GS,7300SE      NVIDIA-Linux-x86-100.14.19-pkg1.run

Compiz in three steps:

 
1. Install drivers (pretty straightforward):

# sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-100.14.11-pkg1.run

( Allow the installer to run nvidia-xconfig to modify your X11 config file /etc/X11/xorg.conf )

2. Additional modifications are needed for xorg.conf. Add Option directives to Device and Screen sections and new Section "Extensions":

Section "Device"
  ...
      Option         "RenderAccel" "true"
      Option         "AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"
  ...

Section "Screen"
  ...
      Option         "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "true"
      Option         "DisableGLXRootClipping" "true"
  ...

Section "Extensions"
    Option         "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection


3. Create start script for compiz manager:

/usr/local/bin/startcompiz:

#!/bin/bash
# Compiz startup script

LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=TRUE \
/usr/bin/compiz --replace png svg decoration annotate water blur clone \
wobbly fade minimize cube rotate zoom scale move resize place switcher & \
/usr/bin/kde-window-decorator  &


That's it. In KDE Konsole window run

# startcompiz

and enjoy 3D  desktop effects. 



Some of the hotkey combinations:
Ctrl-Alt+<LEFT/RIGHT ARROW> rotate the desktop Cube LEFT/RIGHT
Ctrl-Alt+<LEFT_MOUSE_BUTTON>
 press and drag the Cube
Ctrl-Alt+<UP_ARROW> expose all windows,click on a window to bring it  to the front position
Ctrl-Alt+<DOWN_ARROW>
 unfold al the Cube sides
LEFT_MOUSE_BUTTON
 drag any window using Titlebar
Alt+LEFT_MOUSE_BUTTON
 drag any window using working area
Alt+MOUSE_WHEEL Window transparency
WINKEY
 use mouse wheel or right-click to zoom in
Alt-WINKEY
 draw (red) over the screen
Alt-WINKEY-k
 erase the drawing
Ctrl-WINKEY
 water effect
MOUSE POINTER to upper right corner
 expose all windows, select and click to make it active

                      



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