How to install Compiz Fusion in Ubuntu
Compiz Fusion is a seriously powerful extension to Gnome (basically the GUI for Linux). It’s been possible to create extra desktops in Ubuntu for a long time, but with Compiz you can switch between each desktop via a three dimensional cube, which is actually very usable and seriously cool. Amaze your friends with Compiz fusion by showing them your machine doing tricks like this:
Installing Compiz in Ubuntu Hardy is extremely easy. In fact, you already have it. For earlier versions of Ubuntu, follow these instructions. If you have Hardy, Intrepid or Jaunty Jackalope, read on…
Compiz is already installed in Hardy, Intrepid and Jaunty, but you need access to the advanced settings manager to activate the cube and cube rotation. You’re going to install a package called: compizconfig-settings-manager. Installing it in Hardy is easy – go to Synaptic Package Manager (System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager) and do a search for compizconfig-settings-manager. Check the install box and click apply.
Now, if you go to System>Preferences you’ll see that a new menu item has appeared – “Advanced desktop effects settings”. Open the menu.
Behold! The compiz settings manager. This is where you activate all of the cool tricks. There are so many fiddly little settings to play with that it would be impossible to write about them all. I’ll leave you to break discover them yourself. There are however some really important ones to switch on that are worthy of note and will provide an important first step:
1) Under “Desktop” check “Desktop Cube”. There are lots of settings inside this module, but for the time being leave it checked
2) Underneath the desktop cube checkbox, check “Rotate Cube”.
If all goes well, then holding down CTRL>ALT and the right hand mouse button should instantly zoom you out and display a three dimensional desktop! Mouse around and it will spin up and down and from left to right. The rest, I leave to you. enjoy 
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks very much – am introducing friends to Linux, and the cube and other effects are big ’selling’ points.
Hey, mine is not a cube
, Rather a pannel with only two desktops??
Brian, a cube doesn’t have only 2 sides. Try adding four more….to make a cube.
What do you mean that Gnome is basically the GUI for linux? what about I dunno kde, xfce, etc, forget about those did you? you elitist bastard.
Gnome is usually the default GUI for the majority of the major Linux operating systems. Nevertheless that does not lessen the fact that kde and kfce (among others) are still out there abd does not invalidate your post.
HELP i cant get the cube to come up all i get is a flat panel that is an inch by about three.
Hmm.. How many desktops do you have? Look in the bottom right hand corner of the desktop – you should have 4 desktops, but in Ubuntu Hardy there are quite often 2 (default install?) add two more and try again?
Right click on the workspace icon in the bottom right corner. increase the number to 4 (or whatever you want) and hit ok. You should have your cube or hexagon or octagon or whathave you.
cheers!
mrshll, gnome is used on relatively few linux distros…i’d say kde is more widespread than gnome for sure. In fact this is what made it seem so odd when Ubuntu chose gnome as its primary desktop manager.
I have six desktops and when i press ctrl+alt+left it brings up a small 3 inch box to use for swhiching desktops.
@twing
sorry sir, this is BS, obviously you have no idea of what are you talking about.
here’s a list of how many linux distro come out with Gnome as default desktop manager.
http://www.gnome.org/~davyd/footware.shtml
..relatively few linux distro..
Always makes me happy to see a fellow SEO using Linux. Great write up!
@twig: I wouldn’t be too sure of that, I used to think the same thing. Gnome still has a larger marketshare over KDE distros because it gained better stability with the more business friendly distros (Red Hat, Fedora, etc.). With KDE4 out now, I think it might drown out gnome for popularity in that environment too.
Awesome !!! Thanks for the fantastic help
Ciao Baas R
Need help here.
Followed all the instructions.
Added desktops to 4.
Still no cube.
Any advice will be appreciated.
im new to ubuntu and still getting used to things…iv set up the cube and it works great, but when i put to pictures on the cube caps setting, i can see the pictures but when i turn my coumputer off and then back on my cubecaps change to a plain colour. can anyone help???
but i have to say i really love ubuntu
4 sided cube howto:
- Go to the CompizConfig Settings Manager, Go to “General” and check the tab “Desktop size”.
- Set the “Number of Desktops” to 1 and the “Horizontal Virtual Size” to 4.
Done!
Hi;
I don’t know why nothing works for me?
I press Ctrl Alt and right-left-center mouse click… nothing?!
I also set some of the functions myself like shift \ or Z etc, nothing works at all!?
Is there an OK or apply key some place? or just clicking Close will do the job?
disappointing for me
I have Hardy 8.04 +updates and xdm as the desktop. should I use gdm instead?
(cant log in as root in g/kdm)!
Thanks!
(im new to ubuntu and still getting used to things…iv set up the cube and it works great, but when i put to pictures on the cube caps setting, i can see the pictures but when i turn my coumputer off and then back on my cubecaps change to a plain colour. can anyone help???
but i have to say i really love ubuntu)
hitmo
have you saved your desktop pic to anouther hard drive if so try saving it to the main hard drive if you using the app WUBI!
thankas a lot
I followed the steps described above. I could see compiz config settings manager in preferences and I set the preferences also but when I press ctrl+alt+right arrow nothing happens. Any help in fixing this is greatly appreciated
Ah I might see the problem!!!!!!!!!!
Go To system/preferences/appearance click the visual effects tab and click extra cube should work then
hope this helps 
James
i’m pretty much having the same problem as brian….i try to activate the other 4 desktops,but they just wouldn’t….dunno why.
and i can’t get the water and fire effects….help!!
Yarlee , Matey,
Not positive but could have something to do with your graphics card / settings might not support it.
Hi
thx 4 every thing .i ve got this message when i checked on desktop cube
Plugin Desktop Wall provides feature largedesktop which is also provided by Desktop Cube.
I am new one for ubunto 8.04
I dont know what to do plz help
thx
Hey folks
I’m kind off a noob to ubuntu and I have installed Compiz.. Awesome thingy!! – However, when I reboot, Compiz is not loaded and I have to launch it again and start all over :/ Can someone please tell me how to make it load during startup? – And if it loads, will all the settings still be intact?
Thanks