In a previous article, I talked about theming KDE, and how powerful the environment is. I remember using Ubuntu back when an application called Compiz existed, with the Emerald theme engine.
Those were the days of eyecandy; you could make your windows wobble, turn your desktop into a giant 3D cube, add all kinds of effects and animations.
Wait... You still can! Thankfully, some of these awesome effects, as well as others, have been included into KDE! So, let's just jump right into it, and add some effects.
Desktop Behavior KDE
Click your application menu button, and then head to Settings, followed by System Settings. From there, we want to head to "Desktop Behavior."
Here, we want to click "Desktop Effects," and this will be our playground. On the page, will be a large list of all the available effects. Just as with theming, you also have the option of downloading more effects, right through KDE.
Let's take a brief look at a few really neat ones.
Wobbly Windows
This one is classic. Anyone who had Compiz running, likely had this going too. Wobbly Windows makes it so that when you drag a window around, it moves with a sense of force and fluidity, wobbling if you move it rapidly / change directions. No real workflow related purpose, but a worthy addition for kicks.
Desktop Cube
If you're the person who uses multiple virtual desktops to enhance your workflow (maybe different workspaces for coding, entertainment, kids?) then the Desktop Cube might entertain you, if you've never seen it before.
It loses novelty after a few tries, but it's pretty awesome nonetheless, and is another famous "oldschool" one. Enabling, and then setting a hotkey in the options for it, will allow you to zoom your desktop out into a 3D cube (assuming you have 3D acceleration) to be freely rotated with your mouse, and then placed at the desktop you wish to view.
To add this effect to the 'Desktop Switching' function of KDE, done either via hotkey or by manually clicking the desired virtual desktop from in your taskbar, so that it also spins via cube to the selected desktop, you need to use the separate effect called "Desktop Cube Animation" as well as disable "Slide" if its enabled, or any other effect that takes over that animation.
Fall Apart
This one, makes any window that you close (not minimize) break apart into many pieces and leave the screen. Again, totally pointless, and totally cool.
Last thoughts
Most effects serve little purpose other than eyecandy, but that's okay! Some people love a minimal look, some people love the flash, to each their own, and KDE offers plenty!
Now you: Do you use any fancy effects? If so, which ones? Tell us in the comments!
Related articles
- A walk around KDE 4.5
- A Look at Desktop Environments: KDE 5 Plasma
- KDE Desktop Activities explained
- Two cool KDE Plasmoids
- Working with KDE desktop effects
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by Mike Turcotte via Linux – gHacks Technology News
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