Making a KDE screensaver?

binarybob0001 · 04-14-2006, 03:01 AM

I'm having a hard time finding sources that explain how to make a screensaver. I have searched my KDE directories myself only to find *.desktop files that are not executable. Now I'm curious about how they are made.

Simon Bridge · 04-14-2006, 03:06 AM

Take a look at the screensaver config itself ... each screen saver has config options including the command to run. Normally they run on the root screen, but those commands will work in cli too. Give it a go.

That'll give you the clues you need.

(Of course, I could be way way off ... it's been a while since I've seen KDE)

masand · 04-14-2006, 03:06 AM

maybe u should check out

http://developer.kde.org/

regards

binarybob0001 · 04-14-2006, 03:14 AM

The links on developer.kde and in the config options do not provide any help. At least, I haven't seen anything there.

masand · 04-14-2006, 03:29 AM

Well I do not think that you should have given up this fast

as least I did not and took time to find this link for you

http://websvn.kde.org/branches/KDE/3.../kscreensaver/

I got this link from developer.kde.org

regards

Simon Bridge · 04-14-2006, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarybob0001

sources that explain how to make a screensaver

... from post 1.

The link, courtiously suggested by guru masand, may the lotus blossom always at his feet, is to the existing screensaver source code ... though there are clues there too

masand · 04-14-2006, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Bridge

... from post 1.

The link, courtiously suggested by guru masand, may the lotus blossom always at his feet, is to the existing screensaver source code ... though there are clues there too

Thanks for complementing the link nicely

regards

Simon Bridge · 04-14-2006, 03:57 AM

Usually the screensaver is an executable that draws stuff onto the screen. It is called by the screensaver program at the appropriate moments and run on the root screen. I don't remember if KDE screensaver had an option in it's config to add new screensavers...(?)

In reference to the initial post... though I only have gnome in front of me... I see <screensaver name>.desktop files just like you, also non-executable. But I did a hunt for all files relating to a particular screensaver - moire - and got this:

Code:

$ locate moire
/usr/share/man/man1/moire2.1.gz
/usr/share/man/man1/moire.1.gz
/usr/share/xscreensaver/config/moire.xml
/usr/share/xscreensaver/config/moire2.xml
/usr/share/applnk/System/ScreenSavers/moire.desktop
/usr/share/applnk/System/ScreenSavers/moire2.desktop
/usr/libexec/xscreensaver/moire2
/usr/libexec/xscreensaver/moire

As you see, the executable is in /usr/libexec/xscreensaver/ ... with all the others. I suspect a similar location for KDE.

Investigating the .desktop files shows they are text files ... the content is fairly self explainatory.

Enjoy your investigation. I too have had no luck finding a specific tutorial or howto about creating screensavers for KDE ... though they must exist. You could try asking the screensaver authors at KDE-look.org?