Using keyboard shortcuts with visual effects

Ubuntu includes extra Compiz plugins which provide extra functionality with certain keyboard combinations. Examples of these plugins are Application Switcher, Expo and Scale.

These extra plugins are explained in this section.

[Note]

Some commands use the Super key, which is the Windows key on many keyboards.

Application Switcher

The Application Switcher provides the same functionality as the traditional Gnome and KDE Alt+Tab switcher, but uses live window thumbnails to show its previews. You can use the Application Switcher to switch between windows of different contexts with different keybindings.

  • To flip to the next window, press Alt+Tab

  • To flip to the previous window, press Shift+Alt+Tab

  • To flip to the next window in all workspaces, press Ctrl+Alt+Tab

  • To flip to the previous window in all workspaces, press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+Tab

Desktop Wall

The Desktop Wall is a lightweight alternative to the Desktop Cube plugin. It is used to change workspaces, has support for workspace previews and can use workspaces on the horizonal plane and the vertical plane. The Expo plugin works well with the Desktop Wall plugin.

  • To navigate in the Desktop Wall, press Ctrl+Alt with Up, Down, Left, or Right.

  • To navigate in the Desktop Wall with a window, press Ctrl+Shift+Alt with Up, Down, Left, or Right.

Enhanced Zoom Desktop

The Enhanced Zoom Desktop plugin allows the whole screen to be zoomed in for improved legibility. It is possible to continue working with other applications while zoomed in.

  • To center the mouse on the screen, press Super+C

  • To lock the the zoom area (field of view) so it will not move to follow the mouse cursor, use Super+1.

  • To resize the focused window so that it fills the field of view, press Super+v.

  • To adjust the zoom level so that the window fills the field of view, press Super+r.

Expo

By default, Expo is activated by moving the mouse cursor to the top-left corner of the screen, or by pressing Super+E. This causes the viewport to zoom out until all viewports are scaled and visible on-screen in a grid formation, complete with all open windows.

Negative

The Negative plugin provides immediate, high-contrast windows for the visually impaired by inverting the colors of individual windows, or all windows at once.

  • To enable or disable Negative on the focused window, pressSuper+n.

  • To enable or disable Negative on the screen, press Super+m.

Viewport Switcher

The Viewport Switcher is used to switch workspaces via different keystrokes and buttons. You can use it with the middle mouse button on the desktop and by pressing a keybinding and selecting a workspace number.

  • To move to the next workspace, press Button5 (Scroll up)

  • To move to the previous workspace, press Button4 (Scroll down)