Friday, January 22, 2010

Compiz effects for Ubuntu.

Ubuntu is capable of impressionable desktop effects, which are usually activated automatically from the first boot. If not, you can activate them by going on System -> Preferences -> Appearance -> Visual Effect and selecting "Extra".

This will work if your computer started with 3D Accelerated drivers, and if not, when you select the "Extra" effects, you will be asked if you want to activate the drivers. This is done very simple, you don't need to know anything about Linux, don't worry.

If you want advanced desktop effects, I will recommend you to install two applications. I'm using them on my computers with Linux, and I am recommending them to you because I know that they are simple to be configured and won't create conflicts.

Go to Synaptic Package Manager (System -> Preferences) and there search for the following two applications, and mark them both for installation (the search will return two applications, mark them both):
  • compizconfig-settings-manager
After they have been installed, go again to System-> Preferences -> Appearance-> Visual Effects, and select "Custom". Now go to the applications you have just installed (found on System -> Preferences and one of them is called "CompizConfig Settings Manager", and the other one is called "Simple CompizConfig Settings Manager") and start customizing the way your computer moves and behaves.

Please note that this will work on 3D Accelerated drivers, which are either automatically activated, or are manually activated by you). If you can't find the driver for your graphic card, try to search on manufacturer's website (you will need advanced knowledge for configuration).

Enjoy you 3D Ubuntu desktop effects !

1 comment:

  1. Good review I also reviewed it on my blog some time ago. Really nice effects. http://zahidirfan.blogspot.com/2009/06/gnome-cool-effects-and-why-i-am.html

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