Wallpaper Engine on Linux! // How Do You Set It Up? // KDE PLASMA UNOFFICIAL PORT

Summary

This tutorial demonstrates how to set up live wallpapers on Linux, particularly for KDE Plasma, using Wallpaper Engine. It covers installation via pre-packaged files, configuring the plugin, and troubleshooting common issues like Plasma Shell crashes. The video also mentions alternatives for GNOME users and addresses performance settings such as GPU decoding. While the developers have no immediate plans to bring Wallpaper Engine to Linux or macOS, the plugin for KDE Plasma provides a functional solution for live wallpapers. The tutorial is ideal for those transitioning from Windows to Linux and missing live wallpaper functionality.

Takeaways

• 🖥️ A new KDE Plasma plugin allows users to run Wallpaper Engine wallpapers on Linux without manual compilation, improving accessibility for newcomers.
• 📦 The developer provides pre-compiled packages for Arch, SteamOS, and Debian/Ubuntu, making installation straightforward through package managers or GUI installers.
• 📝 Users must manually specify the Steam library path where Wallpaper Engine workshop files are stored for the plugin to detect wallpapers.
• ⚠️ Some Wallpaper Engine wallpapers can crash Plasma Shell; users should avoid problematic wallpapers and uninstall/reinstall the plugin if Plasma becomes unusable.
• 🐧 The plugin only works on KDE Plasma—GNOME and other desktop environments do not support this due to missing protocols and technical limitations.
• 🎞️ The plugin supports playback backends like Qt Multimedia and MPV, with MPV offering better GPU decoding, especially for AMD GPUs.
• 🎚️ Users can configure options such as pausing wallpapers in focused windows, adjusting playback speed, changing video backend, and setting frame rates.
• 📉 GPU decoding drastically reduces CPU usage during wallpaper playback, improving performance and system responsiveness.
• 🔧 Widgets embedded in some wallpapers (common in Windows versions) may not work on Linux, but KDE Plasma widgets can replicate their functionality.
• 🚫 The official Wallpaper Engine developers state they have no current plans to support Linux or macOS due to the complexity of porting a custom engine and low market share.
• 📈 Despite this, the KDE plugin demonstrates that functional Linux support is possible, though it may come with stability issues depending on the wallpaper used.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video explains how to set up live wallpapers on Linux using the Wallpaper Engine plugin for KDE Plasma, aimed at users transitioning from Windows to Linux.

What is Wallpaper Engine, and how does it work on Linux?

Wallpaper Engine is an application that allows users to set live wallpapers on their desktop. While it’s primarily available for Windows, Linux users can use a plugin to integrate live wallpapers into KDE Plasma by installing specific packages and setting them up properly.

Which Linux desktop environments support the Wallpaper Engine plugin?

Currently, the plugin only supports KDE Plasma. There is no plugin available for Gnome or other desktop environments like Cinnamon or XFCE.

What are the installation steps for setting up the Wallpaper Engine plugin on Linux?

The steps include downloading the correct package (either PKG or DEB), installing it using commands in the terminal (like 'sudo pacman -U'), and configuring it to point to the correct directory where the wallpapers are stored. For Steam OS, additional steps to enable read/write permissions are required.

What issues might users encounter when using the Wallpaper Engine plugin on KDE Plasma?

A major issue is that some live wallpapers may cause Plasma Shell to crash, especially if the wallpaper is not compatible or has a bug. Users can uninstall and reinstall the plugin to fix this, and avoid using problematic wallpapers.

How do users manage wallpaper locations after installing the plugin?

After installation, users must configure the plugin to point to the correct folder where their wallpapers are stored. This is typically in the Steam Library under 'Workshop Content' for Wallpaper Engine.

Can live wallpapers from Wallpaper Engine work with system widgets on Linux?

No, wallpapers with widgets from Wallpaper Engine may not work as expected. While Windows supports this functionality, users on Linux need to use KDE Plasma's built-in widgets or replicate widget functionalities manually.

What are the system requirements for running Wallpaper Engine on Linux?

While specific hardware requirements aren't mentioned, users should ensure their system can handle video decoding for smooth playback of live wallpapers, especially for AMD GPUs. MPV is recommended for better GPU decoding support.

Is Wallpaper Engine likely to be supported on other platforms like macOS or Gnome in the future?

Currently, there are no plans to support Wallpaper Engine on macOS or Linux (outside KDE Plasma). The development team has stated that porting the software to these platforms is not economically viable due to the custom nature of the application.

What is the recommended way to fix a crash caused by a problematic wallpaper in KDE Plasma?

To fix a crash caused by a problematic wallpaper, users can uninstall the plugin via terminal (e.g., 'paru -R wallpaper-engine') and then reinstall it. Be cautious when selecting wallpapers that could cause crashes.