Ubuntu Desktop Cube

[Jon W]

In ubuntu is it possible to get the desktop cub to work like this video here: YouTube - beryl linux 3d desktop with ubuntu

If so then how is this possible. I can't seem to get the Compiz Config setting manager to allow me to do that. Any feedback on this would be great.

Thanks
Jon W

[Elboully]

Woow dude!! That's awesome...Never seen it before. (but on the linux story, i'm a noob, so...)

But ehm, a question that springs to mind is....how much Ram does that need, and howmuch video memory? Or in other words, what are the specs needed to do such things?

Sorry that i'm not able to help you with your question, but maybe you can help me?
(all very offtopic, i know)

[smolloy]

To get the flashy effects, you need a video card that is capable of 3D effects and you need to install the correct drivers for this card. Do you know your video card details, and do you know if the driver is installed?

By the way, welcome to the forums to you both!

[Elboully]

Well, i have 2 Msi 8600 gts in sli installed here. Both are 256Mb and capable of 3d. Drivers are in place. But i think, in order to get those 'flashy' effects, i need to understand Linux first. And know where to get started and all. But i think that is a slightly different thread....Lol.

Thx for the feedback anyway!!

[smolloy]

Weird that it won't enable the effects for you. Is there any error message?

[noidtluom]

The video on YouTube is showing Beryl, not Compiz-Fusion. However, the effects you get should be the same. I'm not running Ubuntu so I'm not sure exactly what could be causing your cube not to work, but try running compiz-fusion to replace your WM from the terminal and see any error messages that spews out, that might give some help. You might also want to look at fusion-icon.

@Elboully: I've run those effects on a 5 year old laptop with 256MB RAM, built-in Intel graphics card, and I've not encountered lag at all - unless I'm compiling something at the same time, of course!

[Bemk]

I've got this desktop cube, but to use it I first had to enable it in the advanced desktop effects settings in System -> Preferences. When you've enabled it, I suggest you enable more cube controls so you can move using your mouse. I use Ubuntu 8.04.

[Dann]

applications > add/remove> and type in 'compiz'

and download the one that says 'advanced desktop settings'

Once installed, go to system>preferences>advanced desktop settings

and you'll have a bunch of stuff, cube, wobbly windows, transparent windows, writing with fire, etc

You'll need to add atleast one more (for a total of 3) work spaces. Just right click in the bottom right corner click preferences, and change the column numbers to 3 or higher.

If after you do this, flash videos get really choppy in full screen mode, get the 'compiz button' from the add/remove programs, and turn compiz off before watching full screen flash and playing games and things like that..

--------------
And yes, like the (more knowledgeable) people above me said, you need a good graphics card with a solid driver, and 3d acceleration.


And I haven't really noticed it hammering my ram. If it were, I would turn it off immediately. So I haven't seen anything slow down yet that would make me baby-with-the-bath-water the whole thing.

wow, the first question I had an answer to. I'm happy.

[jmadero]

terminal:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

after it's done go to system, preferences, advanced desktop effects settings

You'll see a ton of stuff in there. Personal recommendation is to not enable everything, even the best graphics card will get bogged down (I have a 256 also). I use the cube and a few other effects. You might also want to check out devilspie. It's pretty sweet, it can make it so when you open a program it automatically does things (such as go to a specific side of the cube, I have amarok going to the fourth side, mail going to the second).