Free 3D Desktop easy as::step by step 


The video is quite old. Mandriva 2008 in the demo. To get these effects, you will need:

Basic graphics card.

P4 or higher.

My guide assumes you have Mandriva (with GNOME) but setting up on any other desktop environemnt or Linux distro will be similar.

1. Check “Part 2 and Part 3 Post-install Mandriva 2010″ Ensure you have the “Eye and ear candy” packages listed at Part 3, step 6 installed.

2. Setup the Graphical Server (install proprietary graphics driver)
Open Terminal (Applications > Tools > Terminal)

copy and paste this into a terminal,

sudo mcc

hit [enter]

Or … “System > Administration > Configure Computer” then enter your root password

On the left of the Control Centre window.. Click on “Hardware” then on the right, “Setup the Graphical Server” ..

Mandriva Control Centre (mcc) usually does a great job of detecting your hardware, so stay with the defaults and adjust nothing unless your first attempt doesn’t work out.

Click on the “Graphic Card” button then click “Ok”
A message should appear saying “There is a proprietary driver available for your video card which may support additional features. Do you wish to use it?”
Click the button on the bottom right that reads “Yes”.
Wait while packages are installed. Some advanced options appear in the next window. Stay with the default selections. Click “Ok” then “Quit” then “Yes”.. A message reads “You will need to logout in order for the changes to take effect” Click “Ok” then click “Logout”. Then return to this page to complete step 3.

3. Configure 3D Desktop Effects
copy and paste this into a terminal,

sudo mcc

hit [enter]
On the left, select category “Hardware” find the “Configure 3D Desktop Effects” on the right then select “Compiz Fusion”
Allow some packages to be installed if needed.
You will have to logout and back in again then complete Step 4.

4. Configure Compiz Settings

in a terminal enter this command

ccsm

hit [enter]

Or go to “System > Preferences > CompizConfig Settings Manager”
On the left of the ccsm window, find the category “Effects” then select “Window Decorations” (it will have a check in the box next to it – leave the box checked). Find the “command” block there. It will have this command by default

compiz-window-decoration

To the right of that space, you see a broom icon.. this will return you to the default settings at any time.
Delete the defeault command shown above here, copy and paste this into a terminal instead

emerald --replace

At the bottom left, click the “Back” button. Then click the “Close” button that appears in the next window.

5. Select Emerald Theme
System > Preferences > Emerald Theme Manager

Select the theme you desire.
System > Preferences > Appearance
Select theme tab, and find the “customise” button at the lower right of that window. You can select controls, colors, window borders, icons or borders as you desire to match the Emerald theme you have selected.

6. Final tweaks
Many plugins and effects are available in the CompizConfig Settings Manager (ccsm) tool. It is really a matter of choice and need. Explore and enjoy.