September 10, 2007

How to install compiz fusion [updated]


This is an update to my previous guide on installing compiz fusion in Ubuntu. I have used a new repository in this new guide. The following steps are those which worked for me. I have installed compiz fusion in Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn 64 bit edition and it should work in 32 bit edition as well.

1. Go to Synaptic and remove compiz (and preferably anything with compiz in its name!).

2. Again in Synaptic, remove all compiz related repositories that you might have added before. If you have not installed compiz yourself (and/or you have a fresh installation of Ubuntu) forget about this step.

3. Add this line to your repositories in Synaptic:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/amaranth/ubuntu feisty main

and then reload (there is a button on synaptic for reloading package information).

4. In Synaptic, Install these packages:

compiz, compizconfig-settings-manager, sexy-python, emerald, emerald-themes

To be accurate, only the first package is absolutely essential for running compiz fusion. Compiz Settings Manager makes your life a lot easier in configuring compiz fusion. Emerald is not a necessary package. It basically handles windows decoration (like window frame, buttons, shadow ...). But I personally like it very much and in fact I missed it a lot from beryl era.

5. Now, it is time to run compiz fusion. But my personal experience was that plugins would work best if you reboot your system before actually getting to run compiz for the first time. To run compiz fusion, in terminal type:

compiz --replace &

and if you like to take advantage of emerald, type:

emerald --replace &

I am particularly fascinated by shift switcher plugin in this compiz. It is more like cover flip effect in new Mac interface (used in new iTune, iPhone, iPod Touch, OS X Leopard). It is not active by default and you should activate it through Compizconfig Settings Manager.

It is worth mentioning that Expose effect is called Scale here.
One last thing to remember is that due to some bugs, your system update will keep notifying you that compiz-core needs updating. The fact is that it does not! Use your imagination to find a workaround.


I would also like to suggest that you read these two posts on installing a Mac OS X like dock (Avant Window Navigator):
Avant Window Navigator
Avant Window Navigator + reflection

Just remember that in the latest version of Avant Window Navigator, you don't need to change settings manually to get 3D effects. It is all in its preferences now.

Enjoy!




15 comments:

Unknown said...

Great article man, but how do I get to print that weird sign after --replace?

"Knows how" said...

That is the "and" sign! It looks weird because of the font used here.

Unknown said...

You mean this: & ?

mustafamaluka said...

thank you for posting these. they look awesome!!! unfortunately there's no smiles for me on my macbook pro with ATI graphics card:

maluka@ubuntu:~$ compiz --replace &
[1] 6557
maluka@ubuntu:~$ compiz (core) - Fatal: No composite extension

damn you ATI!!!

Anonymous said...

thank you for these! they look really amazing!!! no luck for me on my macbook pro with ATI graphics card unfortunately:

art@ubuntu:~$ compiz --replace &
[1] 6557
art@ubuntu:~$ compiz (core) - Fatal: No composite extension

damn you ATI!!!

Setu said...

Mustafa, I have the same problem.

However, since I JUST bought my system, I am going to return the ATI graphics card in favour of another so that I can run Compiz Fusion.

(I'm also having a bit of a sound problem - have 2.1 Creative speakers but the integrated sound card has 5.1 support - no sound in Ubuntu 7.04!)

OS Novice... what graphics card are you running on that sweet sweet machine?

Setu said...

Mustafa, I have the same problem as you (Sapphire Radeon X1650 PRO). But since I just bought my system, I am going to return it in exchange for a graphics card that will allow me to run CF.

(Also have a problem with sound in Feisty - 2.1 speakers but integrated sound card on ASUS M2N-E SLI doesn't seem to play sound!)

OS Novice, what graphics card do you have running on that sweet sweet machine?

"Knows how" said...

My current graphic card is Intele GMA 965 X3000, an integrated graphic adapter.

Izzy said...

can someone help me with my issue?
i get this after installing compiz
izzy@Izzy-ubuntu:~$ compiz --replace &
[1] 8240
izzy@Izzy-ubuntu:~$ Checking for Xgl: not present.
Detected PCI ID for VGA: 01:05.0 0300: 1002:5975 (prog-if 00 [VGA])
Checking for texture_from_pixmap: present.
Checking for non power of two support: present.
Checking for Composite extension: present.
Comparing resolution (1280x800) to maximum 3D texture size (2048): Passed.
Checking for nVidia: not present.
Checking for FBConfig: present.
Checking for Xgl: not present.
Starting emerald
/usr/bin/compiz.real (core) - Fatal: No GLXFBConfig for default depth, this isn't going to work.
/usr/bin/compiz.real (core) - Error: Failed to manage screen: 0
/usr/bin/compiz.real (core) - Fatal: No manageable screens found on display :0.0
Window manager warning: "" found in configuration database is not a valid value for keybinding "toggle_shaded"
izzy@Izzy-ubuntu:~$

"Knows how" said...

Which graphic adapter do you use?

Anonymous said...

Hey i have the G965 too and am having a problem with the compizconfig settings manager cause it doesn't loads, i'm using feisty i would like to know if you had the same problem and if it is fixed on Gutsy

"Knows how" said...

Do you mean that you can load compiz but not compizconfig?

In that case try intalling that through synaptic.

About the blacklist, there is such a list for Feisty too. The solution is to use SKIP_CHECKS as I described in the article.

Anonymous said...

I finally got my Gutsy copy and could install compiz and settings manager with SKIP_CHECKS but compiz is not working fine because all my windows now have no title bar, and water effects gives me a gray screen i haven't tried all the options so i guess there are more problems. is there any way to fix this problem on my g965wh mobo?

"Knows how" said...

make sure you have the right graphic driver installed. About the mater effects, it doesn't work for me too, even when compiz is ok. I guess 965 cannot run it.

Anonymous said...

Hi, i had installed Compiz Fusion on Gusty, bu i cann't run tool CompizConfig. After installation not function "plastic" windows :( Exist way back?