Based on Ubuntu Feisty Fawn (7.04), Ubuntu Studio provides a suite of the best FREE and Open Source software available for multimedia creation. The distribution is completely free to use, redistribute and modify. On the other hand, the Compiz Fusion project tries to bring us all the latest 3D technologies, such as Cube reflection, paint fire on your desktop and many breathtaking eye candy animations. Combine these two elements and you'll have the most futuristic, out-of-this-world operating system.
The following guide will teach you (step by step) how to install Compiz Fusion on your Ubuntu Studio operating system, including the installation process of the video drivers. Mind that Compiz Fusion is still in heavy development, so it may not be very stable. For me (at this moment) it's pretty stable, as I didn't encounter any bugs.
Go to System -> Administration -> Software Sources, click on the second tab (Third-Party Software), then click on the "Add" button and paste the following code:
Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal) and type:
Copy/Paste the following lines in the terminal window:
sudo apt-get -y upgrade
Go to System -> Administration -> Restricted Drivers Manager and check the Enable box to install the video driver for your graphics card. When the installation is complete, notice that it says "Needs computer restart" on the Status area. So, reboot your computer to finish the video driver's installation. (Notice that the blue "needs restart" icon appears on the system tray area. Click on it and then click the "Restart Now" button.)
How to install Compiz Fusion:
And now, let's install Compiz Fusion in Ubuntu Studio with the following command:
That's it! From now on, when you want to enable Compiz Fusion, double click this shortcut you've just created. Enjoy the latest 3D eye candy effects on your Ubuntu Studio OS.
Some quick tricks:
- Hold CTRL + ALT keys and with the left mouse button rotate the cube - Super + E activates the Expo plugin - Hold Super + Shift and with your mouse paint fire on your desktop - Super + Shift + C will erase the fire paint - Super + Tab activates the Ring Switcher plugin
Here is a quick video demonstration:
And the official Compiz Fusion DEMO