Desktop with Viewport panning (not discrete workspaces)?

Petrarca · 2020-11-11 11:14:17

I was wondering if there is an easy option to enable a large virtual desktop on which one could seamlessly pan around like in a viewport. I know about the use of different workspaces and to switch between them, however this is always a discrete switch and I was looking for a rather smooth move of the viewport on the virtual oversize desktop. Is this available; any ideas or comments?

Signy · 2020-11-12 06:37:54

If you use Xorg, you can do it with panning function of xrandr (this approach probably will not work on Wayland).
I use panning function of xrandr (together with multiple workspaces). I have this default setting (provided by an auto started command) on my desktop:

xrandr --output DVI-D-0 --mode 1920x1080 --fb 2580x1080 --panning 2580x1080

where:

mode has the same values as is my monitor physical resolution,
panning and fb has desired virtual desktop size.
output value can be resolved from results of this command:
```
xrandr -q
```

I also have 3 commands

xrandr --output DVI-D-0 --mode 1920x1080 --fb 1920x1080 --panning 1920x1080
xrandr --output DVI-D-0 --mode 1920x1080 --fb 2580x1080 --panning 2580x1080
xrandr --output DVI-D-0 --mode 1920x1080 --fb 2580x1400 --panning 2580x1400

connected to 3 keyboard shortcuts: Super + o (Original resolution), Super + p (Panning) Super + l (Large), so I can quickly switch the virtual desktop size.
For example for full screen applications (like some games or watching a movie) is the Super + o suitable.

Actually this panning function is my favourite function (alongside with multiple desktops) which I love on Linux since my beginnings (and why I never liked Windows since 3.11).

Last edited by Signy (2020-11-15 06:50:32)

Petrarca · 2020-11-13 08:44:16

I did set it up similar to what you described above. And it works like a charm; awesome! Many thanks for the hints. A pity, it's not available via the GUI but rather 'hidden' on the CLI.

Danielsan · 2020-11-13 18:00:25

Nice, I must try it!

EDIT:

I actually followed the commands but I missed the point... When I put the panning I was still in the same corner with the windows spanning outside the physical edge of the monitor but I couldn't do anything... ?

Last edited by Danielsan (2020-11-14 08:22:06)

Signy · 2020-11-15 06:30:26

Danielsan wrote:

I actually followed the commands but I missed the point... When I put the panning I was still in the same corner with the windows spanning outside the physical edge of the monitor but I couldn't do anything... ?

It is supposed to work in this way: when you are moving with you mouse cursor and hit a screen edge, if there is an invisible part of desktop behind this edge, then the mouse starts moving the visible part of desktop in the direction of movement so that you can see previously invisible part of desktop.

I forgot to mention that this is supposed to work on Xorg (I am going to add it to my first post). If you use different display server (like Wayland), then xrandr command probably does not work.

Edit:
I have noticed that in the description of my commands I mistakenly wrote that fb and mode have the same values, which was wrong (and I fixed my first post).

If you still have problems with those command, can you please:

post result of
```
xrandr -q
```
post your xrandr command you are using?

Last edited by Signy (2020-11-15 07:21:51)

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#1 2020-11-11 11:14:17

Desktop with Viewport panning (not discrete workspaces)?

#2 2020-11-12 06:37:54

Re: Desktop with Viewport panning (not discrete workspaces)?

#3 2020-11-13 08:44:16

Re: Desktop with Viewport panning (not discrete workspaces)?

#4 2020-11-13 18:00:25

Re: Desktop with Viewport panning (not discrete workspaces)?

#5 2020-11-15 06:30:26

Re: Desktop with Viewport panning (not discrete workspaces)?

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