How to create a slide-show background

To create a slide-show background you need create a xml file and insert the information necessary.

If you go to /usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/background-1.xml, you can see the configuration information necessary to run the background as slide-show.

Here is what it looks like:


<background>
  <starttime>
    <year>2012</year>
    <month>02</month>
    <day>06</day>
    <hour>00</hour>
    <minute>00</minute>
    <second>00</second>
  </starttime>
<!-- This animation will start at midnight. -->
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/cloud.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/cloud.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/comet.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/comet.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/comet.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/earth-horizon.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/earth-horizon.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/earth-horizon.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/blue-marble-west.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/blue-marble-west.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/blue-marble-west.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/galaxy-ngc3370.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/galaxy-ngc3370.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/galaxy-ngc3370.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/helix-nebula.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/helix-nebula.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/helix-nebula.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/jupiter.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/jupiter.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/jupiter.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/sombrero.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/sombrero.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/sombrero.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/whirlpool.jpg</to>
  </transition>
  <static>
    <duration>1795.0</duration>
    <file>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/whirlpool.jpg</file>
  </static>
  <transition>
    <duration>5.0</duration>
    <from>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/whirlpool.jpg</from>
    <to>/usr/share/backgrounds/cosmos/cloud.jpg</to>
  </transition>
</background>



The static tag (<static>) allows show the specified image during x seconds.

The duration tag (<duration>)  must be specified in seconds. For example, if you want one hour to show a wallpaper, you must type 3600 (<duration>3600.0</duration>).

The transition tag (<transition>) also must be specified in seconds. This tag allows move to next file. Attention, don't forget to transition to first file when it is the last file.

The logic of XML file is:

1. Transition from the previous image to the current image;
2. Indicate the duration of the current image;
3. Transition from the current image to the next image.

You can change the name of XML file but never can change .xml extension!

GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a software graphic editor. It is used as an image retouching and editing tool.

With GIMP you can resize, edit and cut photos, create photo montages combining multiple images and converting different image formats.

Sometimes I need modifying images to became wallpaper in my desktop.

To install GIMP in Ubuntu Linux trough terminal, please follow the next steps:

1. sudo apt-get install gimp;
2. type your password;
3. when appears the question for install, type 'y';

After the installation is complete, go to Applications → Graphics → GIMP Image Editor and enjoy it!

Of course I needed help to use GIMP. I used this link.