Debian Linux 6: Install and Configure Compiz Eye Candy Effects

Compiz is an OpenGL compositing windows manager for the X Window system. It use 3D graphics hardware to create desktop effects such as a rotating desktop cubes, a minimization animation and many other effects are created using plugins. In this post I will explain how to install compiz on Debian Linux 6 with NVIDIA GPU. However, instructions should also work on Debian lenny and Intel 3000 or latest Intel 4000 video cards.

Step #1: Install Compiz

Open a shell prompt and type the following command as root user:
# apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-gnome compiz-gtk
OR
# aptitude install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-gnome compiz-gtk

Step #2: Configure Xorg

You need to update your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, enter:
# vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Update Extensions section as follows:

Section "Extensions"
        #For compiz
        Option "Composite" "enable"
EndSection

Update Device section as follows:

    #For compiz
    Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps" "true"
    Option "AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"

Here is a sample Device section from my NVIDIA xorg.conf file:

Section "Device"
    Identifier     "Device0"
    Driver         "nvidia"
    VendorName     "NVIDIA Corporation"
    BoardName      "Quadro FX 3800M"
    Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps" "true"
    Option "AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"
EndSection

Finally, update Screen section as follows:

        Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "true"

Save and close the file. You can reboot the system or type the following command to restart the gdm3 i.e. restart your X.org server:
# /etc/init.d/gdm3 restart

How do I enable compiz?

Login to your desktop. Open a terminal and type the following command to test compiz
$ /usr/bin/compiz --replace
Now, you will be able to use all compiz resources. However, you need to configure compiz using CompizConfig Settings Manager. Type the following command to start CompizConfig Settings Manager:
$ ccsm
Or click on the:
System > Preferences > CompizConfig Settings Manager
Sample outputs:

Fig.01: compizconfig-settings-manager in action

First, you need to click on the “Effects” > Enable “Windows Decorations”. This will fix the windows unusable problem such as window borders, resizing windows and moving windows which are initially disabled by default:

Fig.02: Enable Compiz decoration effect to move windows

Set compiz as the default Gnome window manager

Type the following command:
$ gconftool-2 --type string --set /desktop/gnome/session/required_components/windowmanager compiz
Logout and login again to test your new settings.