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linuxopenglwindow-managers

Building a 3D window manager for Linux

I'm looking to learn about Linux window managers and build my own. I have two requirements which I would like to employ: 3D support and good compatibility/performance with existing applications.

Are there any window managers that meet these criteria and are lightweight enough for me to work with?

If not, what do I need to take into account to implement 3D support myself? I see Xlib doesn't support 3D windows by default at all.

Edit: Xlib mentions XGetGeometry, which could get a windows pixmap. I could then display it myself using OpenGL, however, is this the most efficient way to do this?

Solution

  • Are there any window managers that meet these criteria and are lightweight enough for me to work with?

    you could look at Compiz which does just that. Also it has a plugin architecture. However beware the pitfalls of X11 based compositing, the woes of X11 itself and that large portions of the Linux graphics community have drunken the Wayland Kool-Aid.