Getting The Rotating Desktop Cube Working in Ubunutu Hardy Heron

Posted by: Mike | Filed under: ,

Last weekend, I configured my Macbook to dual-boot, via rEFIt, Ubuntu Hardy Heron beta and MacOS Leopard. I'd previously been frustrated when attempting to run Gutsy, but Hardy is a vast improvement: other than some minor glitches, everything important works well.

One thing I found a bit confusing, however, was setting up the snazzy Compiz Fusion rotating desktop cube, so I thought I'd document it because the process is a bit weird.

Adding Compiz Fusion Control Panel

  1. In the Applications pull down menu, select Add/Remove.
  2. Change the Show selector to All Available.
  3. Add the Advanced Desktop Effects Settings application.

Enabling Cube Rotation

  1. In the System menu, in Preferences, select Advanced Desktop Effects Settings.
  2. Check Desktop Cube then click Disable Desktop Wall.
  3. Check Rotate Cube.

Adding the Necessary Virtual Desktops

  1. Click on General on the sidebar.
  2. Click the General Options button.
  3. Click the Desktop Size tab then change the Horizontal Virtual Size slider to 4.

You should now have the ridiculously fun rotating cube, which you can spin via CTRL-ALT left arrow/right arrow! CTRL-ALT down arrow allows you to navigate left and right while the cube is "unfolded".

Add new comment | 2008-04-23 07:03

12 Responses

  1. John Smith (not verified) Says:
    2009-04-14 09:10

    I've done everything but I see the cube from the inside~~~

  2. John Smith (not verified) Says:
    2009-04-14 09:10

    Well.. Maybe I did something wrong here, but while I was trying to figure that out on my own, I did all of those things, and when I hit CTRL ALT left or right, not a thing happens, and on the bottom right hand side of my screen, there are only three desktop icons. flash games

  3. IT Certifications (not verified) Says:
    2009-03-04 09:57

    That's really cool work you are doing, you make me to have some fun with my Desktop i must try this just after my 350-001 CCIE Routing and Switching certification exam about which I'm confident to pass in first attempt as i have pass my 640-802 for Cisco Certified Network Associate certifications exam in first attempt along with 642-901 exam for Cisco Certified Network Professional with proper guidance but as well as you work concern i must say that its awesome and rotating desktop makes some work easy.

  4. IT Certifications (not verified) Says:
    2009-03-04 09:53

    That's really cool work you are doing, you make me to have some fun with my Desktop i must try this just after my 350-001 CCIE Routing and Switching certification exam about which I'm confident to pass in first attempt as i have pass my 640-802 for Cisco Certified Network Associate certifications exam in first attempt along with 642-901 exam for Cisco Certified Network Professional with proper guidance but as well as you work concern i must say that its awesome and rotating desktop makes some work easy.

  5. Anonymous (not verified) Says:
    2008-09-27 06:09

    Thanks !
    This is just I was looking for !!

    /CM

  6. Anonymous (not verified) Says:
    2008-07-20 00:47

    I've done everything but I see the cube from the inside.(yes inside)

  7. Anonymous (not verified) Says:
    2008-07-07 12:44

    "Ubunutu"

    spellink is graert!
    grammar are two!

  8. Locke (not verified) Says:
    2008-07-07 06:33

    Ubunutu?
    You should also include something about the issue itself, as using the menu for 'advanced desktop effects' doesn't address any actual issues with setting it up at all unless the video card is automatically configured and set up with correct drivers, and you also don't mention enabling restricted drivers which you even have to do if it is automatically set up. If you want more info, hit me up and I'll help.

  9. Anonymous (not verified) Says:
    2008-09-20 10:38

    I think the point was simply to show people how to enable the desktop cube, not to help people set up their video card and drivers.

    What you are asking is kind of like giving a tutorial on how to print a photo, but first telling them how to install their printer and printer drivers.

    Having your hardware and drivers configured properly is a separate issue, and prerequisite to doing anything constructive on a computer. If someone hasn't done that already, then they should really go find another tutorial and get that done before worrying about cubes.

    All I wanted to do is to enable the desktop cube. That's all. And now, thanks to this short and sweet tutorial, I have the desktop cube.

    Just my 2cents.

  10. Jimmy (not verified) Says:
    2008-05-15 09:21

    I recently installed Hardy Heron on my PC and I was confused as to how
    people were achieving all these effects with the built-in version
    of Compiz and, thanks to you, I now know how.
    Much appreciated!

    Jimmy

  11. Anonymous (not verified) Says:
    2008-07-07 07:58

    Maybe I did something wrong here, but while I was trying to figure that out on my own, I did all of those things, and when I hit CTRL ALT left/right, not a thing happens, and on the bottom right hand side of my screen, there are only three desktop icons.

  12. predator41464 (not verified) Says:
    2008-07-06 20:40

    hey.. .thanxxx for the tip
    am new at ubuntu .and I can tell I love it
    do you have any more tips ?