How to get Compiz running in Ubuntu 8.04

An Fear Aniar

I feel a bit silly asking this but the Synaptic Package Manager says I have Compiz installed but I don't know how to get it running. I like the idea of a cube.

I put a "Run Application" icon on the top panel but it doesn't see Compiz there.

Just wondering how to get it going?




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ethernet

If you have a nvidia or ATI card, have you installed the proprietary drivers?

Then it should just be a case of opening Preferences --> Appearance. There's an option there to enable desktop effects (off, basic and advanced; or something similar).

An Fear Aniar

Ok, I installed;

sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager

So now I can go:

System/Preferences/Advanced Desktop Effects Settings

It's the cube I want, so I checked the box but I don't know what the keystrokes are. I'm sure I'll find out in due course....

Thanks.

stereo_steve

Do what ethernet said, RE: turning on desktop effects.

Then from the Advanced Desktop settings that you installed you saw the page with the different plugin options. What you need to do here is muck around in the settings of each plugin and look for bindings. If you click on rotate cube you will see all the different options you have for rotating the cube in its own bindings section.

Heres one to get you started. Hold ctrl and alt and hold the left mouse button down whilst move the mouse.

Just a little tip for you. I really like to have the compiz fusion icon up the top right of my screen, it makes switching between window managers easy. To do this at the terminal type sudo apt-get install fusion-icon. This will install the icon.

To have it start automagically at startup, go System -> Preferences -> Sessions -> Add. Give it whatever name you want and for the command type fusion-icon. You should see it after your next restart.

PogMoThoin

There are extra compiz plug-ins that are not installed by default, have a google for a guide for enabling 3d windows & cube gears (i've only got links to gutsy guides). 3d windows makes the windows rise off the cube in 3d. Check them out in my youtube videos.

corkie

compiz-fusion-ubuntu-8.04-how to

An Fear Aniar

Marvellous, thanks a mil.:)


Edit:

Found this handy how to as well:
http://lhansen.blogspot.com/2008/04/3d-desktop-compz-fusion-on-ubuntu-804.html

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eoineen

My god, I've just done what you've instructed and WOW! Goodbye OS X!

runswithascript

There will come a time when you will want to quickly switch window managers back and forth for function and testing so you should also install compiz-fusion-icon available through your synaptic package manager.

I use it for changing from Compiz to Metacity when launching WINE although this will no longer be an issue with the release of dri2 in the next xorg update.



After installation it can be found under applications > system tools > but you should set it to launch with x in system > preferences > sessions > startup programs.

Bard

I've installed it and it's really bloody good... puts Windows completely to shame but this...

LA3G wrote: »

After installation it can be found under applications > system tools > but you should set it to launch with x in system > preferences > sessions > startup programs.

How exactly do I do this? I want it to launch on startup but I don't know exactly what I have to put in the 'Command' field in the 'Add Startup Program' box.

runswithascript

Bard wrote: »

How exactly do I do this? I want it to launch on startup but I don't know exactly what I have to put in the 'Command' field in the 'Add Startup Program' box.

It is handy it's just such a shame having to change for WINE in the first place because I end up just using Metacity more or less all of the time.