SLED10: Configuring and Using Desktop Effects (Xgl)

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Installing the OpenGL Drivers

This section contains a tutorial to guide you through the installation of OpenGL drivers on a SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 workstation.

1, Click Computer > Control Center.


2. Under Look and Feel, click Desktop Effects.

Image:01gl.png

The Desktop Effects Settings dialog shows whether your video card is supported, and whether the 3D Acceleration and Desktop Effects features are enabled. If you have not previously set up these features, they are most likely disabled.


3. Click Start Software Updater.

After a slight pause while the system searches for the driver packets, the Software Updater dialog appears, showing two packages to be updated.

Image:02gl.png

Note: If the Software Updater cannot find the packets, open YaST and configure the Customer Care Center. An Internet connection is required.


4. Make sure both packets are selected, click Update, then click to accept the license for each driver.

There is a brief pause in the process as the software is installed.


5. Click Close when the installation is complete.

The Desktop Effects Settings dialog appears again.

Image:03gl.png


6. Click Start SaX2.


7. Click Enable Desktop Effects.


8. Click OK to log out.


9. Log in.

Your desktop appears, with your new settings in effect.


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Configuring and Using OpenGL

To configure OpenGL after installing the drivers:


1. Click Computer > Control Center.


2. Under Look and Feel Click Desktop Effects.


3. Use the Desktop Effects Seetings dialog to configure the effects you want to use.


Use the Window Effects tab to configure how windows behave. Among other otions, you can configure windows to wobble when they're moved, to fade away when closed, or to be translucent.

Use the Desktop Cube tab to configure how the desktop cube appears. The desktop cube consists of a configurable number of virtual desktops arranged like sides on a box. Windows can be moved from one side to another. You can specify the number of sides, the keys and buttons used to rotate the cube, and whether you move to the next side whenever the mouse pointer is bumped against the edge of the current side.


Image:cube.png


Use the Other Features tab to configure other desktop effect settings. You can set the Window Picker to shrink and rearrange all windows on your desktop. You can specify the behavior of Zoom mode, which lets you zoom into the desktop for a closer view of part of the screen. You can also configure water effects, such as ripples from imaginary raindrops.

Experiment with the available effects and settings to create the look and feel you want.

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