How can I change the shape of the compiz cube for a 3d desktop environment.
 

Hey linuxquestions.org,

So lately I have been experimenting with creating a desktop environment. I have read lfs and have been learning about existing wm managers and how they are programmed. My end goal for the desktop environment is a multi desktop open gl powered compositor, similar to compiz cube. I had come up with this idea a while ago, and learning about the existence of compiz showed that my idea was possible. I had the idea of a trifold/half hexagon shape (go to https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2...WtQaXdHYTQ3TmM for example), with large glossy buttons on each side, that when clicked trigger rotation, and send the user to the next desktop. The camera doesn't zoom out like in compiz cube, the shape is not a cube, and the operation is triggered by the buttons on each side. I made a concept video on blender, where it shows what would happen if the right button was pressed, leading to the rightmost desktop with only one button on the left side, which brings the user back to the center desktop. Here is the vid: https://youtu.be/mFuOHEccXFM. I have experience in c, c++, c#, java, and vb. I have taken a look at the source, but I haven't been able to locate where I could change the camera animation properties, or the shape of the cube. I guess to sum it up, I would like to hear your guys' opinion on how to: change the shape of the cube to a tri-fold or half hexagon, keep the camera from zooming out, and how to add buttons to each desktop that trigger rotation.

Thank you so much.

Hi: & Welcome to LQ:-

You should be able to change the shape of the cube in you compiz manager settings.
http://wiki.compiz.org/

The shape of the "cube" can be altered by changing the Horizontal Virtual ...
http://wiki.compiz.org/Plugins/Cube
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Compiz

I'm not sure how you would be able to keep the camera from zooming out.
I'm guessing that you would have to change the default that's set in the API:-
OR turn off the transition.

http://askubuntu.com/questions/58553...-compiz-gnome2

How you would add buttons to trigger rotation? (more details please)

What DE are you using?

Thanks, I'll take a look at the horizontal virtual settings. I'll see if I can get the desired effect. As for the buttons, the cube rotates when you click ctrl+alt+leftmouse. I was wondering about implementing two buttons on the desktop that would trigger the cubes rotation to another screen. (One button on the left leads to the left desktop, the other button on the right leads to the right desktop.) I am currently running gnome/unity.

You're Welcome-

Sounds like something a developer would know.
I think that behavior might be controlled by the API or the Win Mgr.

You running more than one monitor?
If so that can be challenging and I'm doing research on that. It appears that Win Mgr's have a mind of their own when app's are launched and don't always open on the same monitor.