Desktop – Appearance – 3d Effects – Cubes, Spheres, and Cylinders

Tip
If your video card doesn't support 3d effects you'll be unable to activate these features. If you have an Nvidia or ATI card you must install a proprietary driver. The distro supporting documentation will explain how to install the appropriate driver.

When you have your driver installed (if necessary) you'll be ready to activate KDE4's eye-catching 3d graphics.

To simplify things a bit, and also to save me a lot of typing, we'll call the “Kickoff Application Launcher” the  “Main Menu.”  It's the Panel Icon, usually on the far left of the panel, with the KDE logo.

To start, open “System Settings” (Main Menu > System > System Settings). Many distros put the “System Settings” application into “Favorites” by default. If you are using the Kickoff style menu “Favorites” will be the first tab. If you are using the “Classic Menu” you'll find “Favorites” about two thirds of the way down.

Obviously, the first thing to do is enable the effects. Click on “Desktop,” then on “Desktop Effects” (System Settings > Desktop > Desktop Effects). Be sure you are viewing the “System Settings” “General” tab. The first check box is labeled “Enable Desktop Effects.” Click on it. A check mark should appear.

For this example we'll be setting up a cube. The procedure for the cylinder or sphere is basically the same. While you are still viewing the “Desktop Effects” “General” window, drop down to “Effect for desktop switching.” Use the down arrow (v) to select “Desktop Cube.”  Be sure to click on “Apply” at the bottom right of the window.

Contrary to what you learned in geometry class, a KDE4 cube offers more than four sides with a top and a bottom (called “caps”). You can have many more sides – or less. Your first decision then, is to decide how many sides you want on your cube.

Be sure you are in the “General” tab, then click on “Desktop.” When the window opens click on “Multiple Desktops. (System Settings > Desktop > Multiple Desktops)  Use the first line to change the number of virtual desktops. You can use the up or down arrows or just type in a number. Probably four is a good place to start. You can always change the number at any time.

If you feel the need to identify a virtual desktop with a special name, this is the place to do it. For example you may want to name Desktop 1 “Alpha,” and Desktop 4 “Omega,” and maybe Desktop 3 “AlmostTheBitterEnd.” Go for it. Just type in the names in place of the default “Desktop” designations.

After you've finished click apply at the bottom right of the window.

Now go back to “Desktop Effects.” (System Settings > Desktop > Desktop Effects) Click on the “All Effects” tab. This is the major configuration window for nearly all of KDE4's desktop effects. Feel free to experiment – but, of course, only after we get your cube set up. Just remember, anything you do here you can just as easily undo if you don't like the effect. So feel safe.

Scroll down to “Window Management.” It's the final category at the bottom of the window. Click on “Desktop Cube.” Now click on the button with the wrench (or spanner if you happen to be English) on the right side of the “Desktop Cube” line. This is where you fine tune cube effects. You'll see a window with two tabs, “Basic” and “Advanced.”

The default to view the cube is “Ctrl+F11.” As long as we're here, you may as well try it. You can turn the cube to other sides with the mouse (left click and hold). To return to normal view just right click anywhere on the desktop.

In the “Advanced” window you can choose to show the cube caps (top and bottom of the cube), or not. You'll probably want to check the “Display the cube” line and the “Use this effect” line. The “Zoom” scale lets you determine the size of the cube. When you're done here, click “OK.” You'll return to the “All Effects” tab.

We're almost done – only one more thing to check. Click on the “Desktop Effects” “Advanced” tab. (System Settings > Desktop > Desktop Effects >Advanced) The “Compositing type” line should read “OpenGL” (if your video card supports it). Don't forget to click “Apply” at the bottom right of the window to save your changes.

That's it. You're done. Enjoy your cube effects.

But. . . . Now that you're here anyway you may feel inclined to click some more boxes. I suggest “Box Switch,” “Desktop Grid,” and “Present Windows.” Don't forget to click “Apply” when you have check marks in the desired boxes.

You may also want to set some special effects for the “Screen Edges.” Check it out.