Parent: [[Applications]] ||<>|| = Introduction = Metacity was the default GTK2 [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_Manager|Window Manager]] for Ubuntu. Metacity compositing was introduced in Ubuntu 8.10 Jaunty. Some of the most familiar tasks handled by Metacity include window management, keyboard shortcuts, and themes. = Starting Metacity = Metacity is installed and enabled by default. The compositing feature must be enabled after installation. If compositing is enabled two features are evident: shadows will appear around window edges, and when using ''ALT-Tab'' to switch windows a thumbnail of each window, rather than a static icon, is seen. Refer to the ''Configuration'' section for instructions on how to turn on compositing. ''Metacity'' runs by default unless the user has made a change to the system (for instance, running ''Compiz''). If ''Metacity'' was turned off and the user wishes to restart it: * Open the ''Appearance Preferences'' applet: * via the Main Menu - ''System > Preferences > Appearance'', or * via terminal - (''Applications > Accessories > Terminal'' or ''ALT-F2'') and enter: {{{ gnome-appearance-properties }}} {{attachment:metacity.1.none.png}} * Once the ''Appearance'' tab is open by either method, select the ''Visual Effects'' tab and click on ''None''. * Note: Selecting a choice other than ''None'' will exit ''Metacity'' and start ''Compiz'' if hardware permits. {{attachment:metacity.none.1.png}} * With the command below entered in a terminal or in the ALT-F2 ''Run Command'' window: {{{ metacity --replace }}} = Configuring Metacity = The user's Metacity configuration settings are stored in .xml files in various subfolders of ~/.gconf/apps/metacity. There are five major components, discussed below. == General Settings == The ''general'' section contains settings which control the ''Titlebar'' fonts, compositing, window focus, and certain mouse click actions. This section also sets the some button layouts and themes, and enables/disables compositing. There are three ways to change the general settings. === A. The Main Menu: === || '''System > Preferences > Windows''' ||<|4 style= "vertical-align: top; border: none;">{{attachment:metacity.windows.png}}|| || * A GUI ''Windows Preferences'' applet will open. || || * A few basic options are available for change, such the action to be accomplished when the mouse is ''double-clicked''.|| || * The ''Movement Key'' section allows the user to hold the specified key and use the mouse to drag a window when clicked anywhere on the window. If not enabled, the mouse will only drag the window if held on the titlebar.|| ||'''System > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts'''||<|7 style= "vertical-align: top; border: none;">{{attachment:metacity.keyboard.png}}|| || * A GUI ''Keyboard Shortcuts'' applet will open. || || * Options which can be changed in this area include minimize/maximize key combinations, windows workspace movement, and window switching.|| || * Changes in the '' Window Management'' section will update Metacity settings. || || * To make a change, select the line and press the desired key combination. No typing is required.|| || * To remove an entry, highlight the line and press the ''backspace'' key.|| |||| === B. Configuration Editor === This GUI editor is the primary method of investigating and controlling Metacity settings. All existing options are available for editing and new options can be created from within the Configuration Editor. To open the ''Configuration Editor'', navigate to ''Applications, System Tools > Configuration Editor'' or in terminal run: {{{ gconf-editor /apps/metacity }}} * If you do not see the ''System Tools'' menu, enable it by right clicking the ''Main Menu'' icon or bar and selecting ''Edit Menus''. Highlight ''System Tools'' in the left pane and select ''Configuration Editor'' in the right panel. Once enabled, press ''OK''. {{attachment:metacity.general.png}} * In the left panel tree view, navigate to ''/apps/metacity/general''. In this section, you will find a variety of selections to modify general windows behavior and set the number of workspaces. * In the left section is the tree view (''apps/metacity/general''). * In the upper right section are the names of the settings and their and present values. * In the lower right section is an explanation of what the selection controls and information on possible inputs. * To make a change: * For string entries, either right click the entry in the ''Name'' column and select ''Edit key'', or double click the ''Value'' window. Type a new value. For some inputs, possible values are listed in the lower right pane. * For check box entries, click on the check box to select or deselect the option. * To reset the value to the default entry, right click anywhere on the appropriate listing in the right panel and select ''Unset Key''. === C. Terminal === * The command takes the form of: {{{ # gconftool-2 -s --type type keyname 'value' }}} * The command always starts with ''gconftool-2 --set'' or ''gconftool-2 -s '' * '''type''' is ''int, bool, float, string, list, or pair''. This can also be entered as "-t ''type''". * '''keyname''' is the path and name of the command. If you have the ''Configuration Editor'' open, you can view it in the lower right panel in the ''Key name:'' block. * '''value''' is the entry normally made in the ''Value'' block (a ''string, true or false, or an integer''), placed between quotation symbols if there is a space in the input field. * ''Example'': {{{ gconftool-2 -s -t string /apps/metacity/general/titlebar_font 'Sans Bold 10' }}} === Metacity Compositing === Originally available in ''Compiz'' but not ''Metacity'', compositing became a part of ''Metacity'' with Gnome 2.24 and was incorporated into Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy. Compositing permits advanced visual effects by using buffers and manipulating the images before they appear on the screen. In ''Metacity'', these effects include window shadowing, smoother window movement, and thumbnail views when using ''ALT-Tab'' to switch between windows. * To turn ''compositing'' on, open the ''Configuration Editor'' as described previously and go to ''/apps/metacity/general''. Select the ''compositing_manager'' or use the ''terminal'': {{{ gconftool-2 -s --type bool /apps/metacity/general/compositing_manager true # or metacity -c }}} {{attachment:metacity.compositing.png}} == Global_keybindings == The ''Global keybindings'' section consists of default and user-configurable keybindings. * Some of the default settings include: ||Alt-Tab||Forward cycle window focus|| ||Alt-Shift-Tab||Backward cycle focus|| ||Alt-Escape||Cycle window focus without a popup window|| ||Ctrl-Alt-Left Arrow||Previous workspace|| ||Ctrl-Alt-Right Arrow||Next workspace|| ||Ctrl-Alt-D||Minimize/unminimize all, to show desktop|| {{attachment:metacity.global.png}} * Technique: ''Before'' changing a key combination, the user may wish to test the new combination to ensure it is not already assigned to another command or action. * The default global keybindings may be changed by the user by clicking on the value and entering a new key or key combination. * To reset the global keybinding the to default value, right click anywhere on the applicable line in the right panel and select ''Unset Key''. * Normal values in this section include '', , , , F1-F12, letters'' and ''Escape''. You can view pre-existing values or look in the lower right information section for appropriate entries. Letter entries are case-''in''sensitive. * The run_command_N is associated with a key combination in this section. The command actually executed by ''run_command_N'' is determined by entries in the next section (''keybinding_commands''). == Keybinding_commands == Metacity provides blank ''command_N'' entries, with ''N'' being a numeral 1 through 12. These can be set by the user. The ''run_command_N'' key combination value in this section is combined with the corresponding ''global_keybindings'' command in the previous section to create a customized keyboard shortcut. An example is presented later in this section. * If the command in the ''Value'' field is not in the user's $PATH, include the full path to the command. * The default ''screenshot'' application is designated in this section and will be started when the ''Print Screen'' key is pressed. {{attachment:metacity.keybinding.gimp.png}} === Practical Keybinding Example === A user wishes to use the ''G'' key combination to start the GNU Image Manipulation Program (Gimp). Refer to the previous screenshots for reference. 1. Test the ''G'' key combination to ensure it is not already assigned. * You could also perform a search in the ''Configuration Editor'' with: Edit > Find > Search for: ''G'' and enable ''Search also in key values''. * Repeat the search for ''g'', ''G'', and ''g'' * Open the Configuration Editor from the Main Menu: ''System Tools > Configuration Editor''. * Select a ''run_command'' in ''apps/metacity/global_keybindings''. In this example, we choose ''run_command_2''. * Currently unassigned key combinations will have a value of ''disabled''. * Double click the highlighted entry in the ''Value'' column or right click the highlighted entry in the ''Name'' column and select ''Edit Key...''. * Type '''''G''''' in the entry window. Press ENTER to store the value. * Letters are ''NOT'' case sensitive in key combinations. ''g'' is the same as ''G'' for the key combination only. * Select ''apps/metacity/keybinding_commands'' in the left pane and ''command_2'' in the right pane. * Double click the highlighted entry in the ''Value'' column or right click the highlighted entry in the ''Name'' column and select ''Edit Key...''. * Enter the run command for the desired action. In this case, '''''gimp''''' * Note: For some applications, it may be necessary to include the complete path to the run command of the application. * Press ENTER to store the entry. * Test the command by simultaneously pressing G. * Exit the Configuration Editor if you are done. If you prefer the terminal, or would like a demonstration of it's power, you can do the same thing with: 1. Open a terminal: ''Applications > Accessories >Terminal''. * Run the following two commands: {{{ gconftool-2 -s -t string /apps/metacity/global_keybindings/run_command_2 'G' gconftool-2 -s -t string /apps/metacity/keybinding_commands/command_2 'gimp' }}} == Window_keybindings == This section assigns key combinations for moving, closing, and sizing windows. Keys can also be assigned to move a window to specific workspaces. * ''Super'' is the designation for the key often referred to as the ''Windows'' key. * ''KP_'' refer to ''keypad'' keys. * Some of these settings may be changed via the ''System, Preferences, Keyboard Shortcuts'' applet. {{attachment:metacity.window_keybinding.png}} == Workspace_names == {{attachment:metacity.workspace.png}} ||Names can be assigned to workspaces in the Metacity section above.||<|3 style= "vertical-align: top; border: none;">{{attachment:metacity.workspace.sw.png}}|| ||To display workspace names make sure ''Show workspace names in switcher'' is selected after the names have been entered in ''Metacity''. || ||The graphic to the right displays the lower right portion of a default monitor display with the ''Preferences'' of the ''Workspace Switcher'' called up with a right mouse click. Note the 4 workspaces have been named ''Home, Work, VMs and Terminal'' by Metacity and are displayed in the lower panel.|| Note: The ''number'' of workspaces is set in the ''general'' section. = Metacity Themes = Themes control window frame options, colors, controls, icons, pointers and more. Ubuntu provides the ability to easily add, remove and customize a wide variety of themes. The default theme of an installation can be changed with just a few clicks of your mouse. Installed themes are normally stored in the ''/usr/share/themes'' folder. User installed themes are normally found in the ~/.themes folder. {{attachment:metacity.theme.png}} == Installing & Selecting Themes == Themes can be installed by a variety of methods. * Several themes come pre-installed on an Ubuntu distribution. They are accessed via the Main Menu's ''System > Preferences > Appearance: Theme'' tab. The new theme takes effect as soon as it is selected. * Synaptic Package Manager (''System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager''). In the ''Quick search'' window in the upper menu area, search for '''''metacity theme''''' and you will find a variety of themes which you can install. ''Synaptic'' will download and install the themes in the correct folder. They can then be selected from the ''Appearance: Theme'' tab discussed earlier. * Some themes downloaded via ''Synaptic'' depend on other themes which may not be installed. If you try to use one of these themes, you will get a message in the ''Appearance'' tab telling you what other theme must be installed. * Themes installed via ''Synaptic'' are removed via Synaptic or via terminal command executed as ''root''. * Third Party Themes. Many themes are available from third parties. * Themes should be packaged as a ''tar.gz'' files. * If the installation of a theme is successful you will will be informed. If the theme installation requires other packages to function properly you may be notified during the installation. Failed theme installations will not display in the available themes window; a failure notification may or may not be presented. * Once correctly installed, the theme will be available for selection in the ''Appearance'' tab. * To install a theme: * Download the package. * Locate the downloaded file and ensure it is in the proper format - ''.tar.gz'' * Open the ''Theme'' tab via the Main Menu (''System > Preferences > Appearance''). * Select ''Install'' and navigate to the file location (normally the user's Desktop) to install the theme. * The Theme applet will extract the theme and place the theme's folder in the user's ~/.themes folder. * Several links to theme collections are provided at the end of this page. == Customizing Themes == Not only can users download or create their own themes, Ubuntu allows users to customize existing themes. * To customize a theme, navigate to the ''Theme'' tab via ''Main Menu > System > Preferences > Appearance''. * Press the ''Customize'' tab and select the theme you wish to modify. * Make selections from any or all of the available categories: ''Controls, Colors, Window Border, Icons, and Pointer''. * The user can combine individual items from different existing themes. Custom themes saved in this manner are placed in the user's ''.themes'' folder (''~/.themes''). * Selecting ''OK'' after making any change will create a theme named ''Custom''. This or any other theme can be renamed by highlighting it, selecting ''Save As'', and entering a new name. == Creating Themes == Users can create their own themes by customizing existing themes as described earlier or build themes from scratch. There are many sites that describe the process. Here is the the [[http://developer.gnome.org/doc/tutorials/metacity/metacity-themes.html|gnome.org theme tutorial]]. == Removing Themes == * System themes (default themes and those installed with ''Synaptic'') can be removed via ''Synaptic'' or by removing the individual folder and subfolders from ''/usr/share/themes''. * Themes installed by the user may deleted using the ''Delete'' key in the ''Appearance'' tab or by removing the applicable folder/subfolders from the user's ''.themes'' folder (''~/.themes'') = Metacity & Compiz = Some users seeking advanced effects turn from ''Metacity'' to ''Compiz'', while others switch from one to the other depending on what they are doing on their computers. ''Compiz'' is installed on the initial Ubuntu installation in Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty, while ''Metacity'' now includes compositing. For users who intend to switch to ''Compiz'', or those who plan on using both, there are several applications which can make things simpler. While this page is not devoted to ''Compiz'', ''Metacity'' users who occasionally use ''Compiz'' will also benefit from installing these applications. Install ''fusion-icon'' and ''compizconfig-settings-manager'' via ''Synaptic'' or run the following command: {{{ sudo apt-get install fusion-icon compizconfig-settings-manager }}} * ''fusion-icon'' {{attachment:fusion-icon.png}} This panel applet allows the user to quickly switch between ''Metacity'' and ''Compiz'' as well as allowing the user to select which window decorator (compiz-decorator or gtk-window-decorator) ''Compiz'' employs. * Start this applet by running ''fusion-icon'' in a terminal or selecting ''Applications > System Tools > Compiz Fusion Icon''. This will start ''Compiz'' and place the ''fusion-icon'' on the panel for easy access. * A right-click on the ''fusion-icon'' panel icon allows selection of the GTK Window Decorator, the Window Manager (''Metacity'' or ''Compiz''), reloading the Window Manager, and quick access to the ''CompizConfig Settings Manager''. * ''compizconfig-settings-manager''. This GUI application allows access to ''Compiz's'' extensive menu. * Start this application via ''System > Preferences > !CompizConfig Settings Manager'' or running ''ccsm'' in a terminal. * The ''GTK Window Decorator'' can be enabled in the ''Effects, Window Decoration'' section. * The ''Compiz'' decorator default setting is '''/usr/bin/compiz-decorator''' * To use the GTK decorator, change the value to '''gtk-window-decorator --replace''' = External Links = * [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacity|Wikipedia Metacity]] * [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compositing_window_manager|Wikipedia Compositing_window_manager]] * [[http://gnome-look.org|http://gnome-look.org]] ---- CategorySoftwareDefault CategorySoftware