"3d" desktop UI

[fishbits]

With all the talk of 3d UIs coming out, I briefly thought about what I'd want for XP. The main thing was this: Multiple desktops that you access by scrollwheel (when the desktop has focus) to zoom one desktop in or out per scrollwheel step. So you've got a desktop of things you're working on, one for programming, one for graphics, one for games, one for office, etc. Or however else you'd like to set it up... with as many panes/desktops as you wish, and the order remains constant however you set it up. There'd always be a "top" desktop, so zooming out enough will always return you there, though there could be an option to have it loop around to the last one for those who'd like that. Bonus points for a nifty (but quick!) transition effect as you go to the next desktop, but not necessary.

Any such program available, or any speculation it could be a part of Longhorn?

 

[drag]

What something like this?

http://desk3d.sourceforge.net/images/car1.jpg

Ya. I suppose it would be nifty if Windows had something like that.

 

[mikecel79]

Check out the Windows XP Power Toys. Esepcially the Virtual Desktop Manager which does some of what you want. I believe you are limited to just 4 virtual desktops though. I use this at work sometimes when I have many projects I am working on at one time.

 

[fishbits]

Neat, but not for me though. Don't want/need an intermediate step personally of a zoomed out representation of the desktops. Don't want any transition effect that would take more than say 1/2 a second. After having set it up and used it for a little bit, I want to be able to be in my programming desktop and know I can scroll 2 clicks down and be in my graphics desktop (for example). Now having extra display/control options would be fine and dandy, so long as the above could be set up to bypass them.

 

[fishbits]

Thanks mikecel79, might do the trick. Will check it out later. Having four is a definite improvement over one.

 

[bersl2]

Originally posted by: fishbits
Thanks mikecel79, might do the trick. Will check it out later. Having four is a definite improvement over one.

Why MS doesn't put this in by default, I'll never know. It's been in almost every X window manager for about a decade.

As for the 3D window manager, we have Sun's Project Looking Glass. It won't work for you, but it's an example of what's out there.

 

[mikecel79]

Originally posted by: bersl2

Originally posted by: fishbits
Thanks mikecel79, might do the trick. Will check it out later. Having four is a definite improvement over one.

Why MS doesn't put this in by default, I'll never know. It's been in almost every X window manager for about a decade.

Because it was never designed for it. Certain applications don't work with this. They would have to give warning to all the developers before making a big change likt his. It may be intergrated into Longhorn but who knows.

 

[drag]

Project looking glass is old fasion now. They are working on something better now.

Longhorn will probably have features like this. I don't see why not.. When using the advanced Aqua... er.. Aero Glass you will have each window rendered in a off screen buffer and then their output transfered to a a simple 3d primitive as a texture.

So the windows you would see are mearly rectangles with special textures on them.

So your 'windows' will end up being little more then a 3d-rendered rectangle. Then anything you can do, theoreticly, in a 3d space you'd be able to do.

I don't know if Microsoft will end up allowing stuff like you want like that in their Aero Glass GUI. Technically it's already possible to do it in OS X, but they don't do stuff like that.

People are working on the same exact technology for Linux's X Windows. We already have the compositing effect for real transparencies, however standard X.org X windows doesn't run on OpenGL yet. I can use experemental versions of the stuff right now, If I wanted. Newer Linux desktops being released around the same time as MS's Longhorn (if it gets released on time) should have this stuff in it.

OS X is fully OpenGL accelerated right now. The trouble with is is that the behavior of the windows is hard-coded into the system. You have Expose', but you can't change it's behavior very easily.. Nobody can make themes to change how it works. It's do it Apple's way or no way.

With X Windows it will be a much more layered approach. You can remove and change window managers to change behavoirs, or change themes and stuff like that to change what happens and to add special effects. Basicly it's all peicemeal, so that you can change out parts to suit you.

With Longhorn I think they have more freedom to change behaviors then OS X.. It will probably be somewere between OS X and Linux. You'd probably be able to find some shareware apps to get what you want in another few years, probably.

So technically, since it's all 3d accelerated and your dealing with just rectangular planes and other primitives then you should eventually have pretty much anything you want.

No chance of having it in Windows XP _and_ have it fast and stable.

 

[n0cmonkey]

I downloaded something like this for my Mac. It's pretty neat, but I forget the name.

It also doesn't work with the scroll wheel, as far as I know.