How To Install XGL on Debian Etch (Testing) by sonique

WARNING : This software and documentation are ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY,
Author of this docucumentation can't be in charge of any bug, crash, errors...
Release v1.2 - April, 18 2006

Xgl new X server for Linux and other unix.
documentation inspirate by wunslov's blog
You can help me by leaving comments, thanks
demo here :
- google novell official video
- linuxedge screenshot

Before anything :

- you need a fast computer (1Ghz minimum)
- you need a graphic card in this list
- install laster Nvidia (or ATI) drivers
- upgrade your distrib (apt-get update && upgrade)
- having gnome 2.12 or higher (apt-get install gnome-desktop-environment)
- be sure you have Xorg 6.8 or higher.
- install alien (apt-get update && apt-get install alien)
- install libdrm2 libpng3 libxdamage1 libxcomposite1 libxfixes3 libxrender1 (apt-get install libdrm2 libpng3 libxdamage1 libxcomposite1 libxfixes3 libxrender1)

Ready ? Go !

download this packages : search them in listing for lastest release here
or directly here (15 april 2006)

Xorg Configuration

You need add this lines in /etc/X11/xorg.conf :
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "true"
EndSection
and in Device Section (optional):
Option "RenderAccel" "true" # nvidia
Option "backingstore" "true" # nvidia and Ati

RPM to Deb

Log you as root
su
move evry file in a same folder
this command create deb packages form rpms
alien *.rpm
this command install deb packages generate by alien
dpkg -i *.deb

Install XGL libraries

cd /usr/lib
tar xfvz folder_where_are_all_files/xgl-libs.tgz

Write a script to launch XGL

back in root folder
cd /root/
Xgl is now installed on your system, you need to launch it !

Try XGL now !!!
Write this script

----------- c0de : xgl.sh -----------
#!/bin/bash
##### Launch XGL Xserver ####
Xgl -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo:1 & sleep 5;
##### Launch Gnome ####
DISPLAY=:0 gnome-session &
#### Launch Compiz (this thing create effect (cube fade...) ####
sleep 30; DISPLAY=:0 compiz --replace gconf decoration wobbly fade minimize cube rotate zoom scale move resize place switcher menu water &
#### Launch gnome decorator to actualise ####
DISPLAY=:0 gnome-window-decorator
----------- c0de : xgl.sh -----------

Now launch Xgl

You must stop Xorg before
CTRL - ALT - F1
log you as root

----------- c0de -----------
/etc/init.d/gdm stop
sh xgl.sh
----------- c0de -----------

wait about 45 secondes you will see effects ;)
any error, bug, crash ? please report them here

Evrything work ? Use Xgl by default

Using symbolic link

----------- c0de -----------
cd /etc/X11
ls -l
# you can see X is linked to Xorg
rm X
ln -s /usr/X11R6/bin/Xgl X
----------- c0de -----------

----------- c0de -----------
cd /etc/X11
ls -l
# you can see X is linked to Xgl
rm X
ln -s /usr/X11R6/bin/Xorg X
----------- c0de -----------

You can do that with gdm

Edit /etc/gdm/gdm.conf
Add a server-Xgl and set 0 to Xgl in server section

[servers]
0=Xgl # replace X by Xgl

#-------- New c0de --------
[server-Xgl]
name=Xgl
command=/usr/X11R6/bin/Xgl :0 -fullscreen -ac -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo
#-------- New c0de --------

pbuffer : pixel buffer
fbo : Frame Buffer Object (extention OpenGL)

Load Compiz at gnome startup

to look Compiz effect at gnome startup you need launch it with "startup programs".
You can found it in desktop > preferences > sessions > startup programs.


you need write this script, (in this example script is named ".xgl" and it's saved in home directory) :
----------- c0de -----------
#!/bin/bash
gnome-window-decorator&
sleep 2
compiz --replace gconf decoration wobbly fade minimize cube rotate zoom scale move resize place menu switcher water &
----------- c0de -----------

Change Shortcuts in gnome (Gconf)

With Compiz you can change desktop, use exposé, zoom...
If you want change shortcuts, you must use GConf. you can found it in Applications > System > GConf Editor
Or launching gconf-editor &
Compiz configuration is in :
/apps/compiz/plugins/ { cube | fade | rotate | ... }/screen0/options
In left pannel you can see Keys and Values. You can change Values to reconfigure shortcuts, reconfigure others parameters like speed, number of desktop...

menu GConf	GConf-editor

Default ShortCut (Compiz from SuSe)

Switch windows = Alt + Tab
Arrange and View All Windows = F12 turns on or off; clicking a window will zoom it to the front
Switch desktops on cube = Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Switch desktops on cube - with active window following = Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Rotate cube manually = Ctrl + Alt + left-click
Make window translucent/opaque = currently only possible with the "transset" utility
Zoom-in once = Super-key right-click
Zoom-in manually = Super-key + wheel mouse up
Zoom-out manually = Super-key + wheel mouse down
Move window = Alt + left-click
Snap Move window (will stick to borders) = Ctrl + Alt + left-click
Resize window = Alt + right-click
Bring up the window below the top window = Alt + middle-click
Slow-motion = Shift + F10
Water = hold Ctrl + Super key
Rain = Ctrl + F9
Change Opacity = Ctrl + Alt + Wheel mouse (up + | down -)

Some Screenshots

exposé	move	cube