NAME¶

xwallpaper — wallpaper setting utility for X

SYNOPSIS¶

DESCRIPTION¶

The xwallpaper program allows you to set image files as your X wallpaper. PNG file format is supported by default and preferred, but optional JPEG support exists as well.

The wallpaper is also advertised to programs which support semi-transparent backgrounds.

OPTIONS¶

The various options are as follows:

--center file

Centers the input file on the output. If the dimensions of the input file are smaller than the output dimensions, the remaining area is filled black. If the input file dimensions are too large, parts of the image will be cropped.

--clear

Initializes screen with a black background. Without this option the current content of pseudo transparency atoms is retrieved and used as foundation. If atom contents do not exist or cannot be reused, e.g. due to resolution change of one of the outputs, then an initially black background is used as well.

--daemon

Keeps xwallpaper running in background, listening for RandR events. In this mode, the wallpapers are redrawn when output sizes change. This option can only be used when RandR support is available and activated.

--debug

Displays debug messages on the standard error output while xwallpaper is running. If used in conjunction with --daemon the process will not modify the standard input and outputs.

--focus file

In conjunction with --trim the specified trim box will be guaranteed to be visible on output, zooming out if needed. If black pixels would occur around the selection, the input image is zoomed in and moved to cover them as good as possible under the constraint of keeping the specified trim box (or whole image if no trim box has been specified) on output.

--maximize file

Maximizes input file to fit output without cropping. This could mean zooming in or out, depending on the dimensions of the input file and the output. This option guarantees that the whole image is seen. If the ratio does not fit the output, the remaining area is filled black. The image itself will be centered on output.

--no-atoms

Atoms which are used for pseudo transparency are not updated. Mutually exclusive with --no-root option. Automatically enables --clear option.

--no-randr

Ignores individual outputs and uses the whole output instead. This is the area that spans across all different outputs (monitors).

--no-root

The background of the root window is not updated. Use this option if you want to update only atoms used for pseudo transparency. It is therefore mutually exclusive with --no-atoms option.

--trim widthxheight+x+y

Specifies area of interest in source file. If output mode tries to output more pixels than specified with trim box, then the adjacent pixels around the box will be added to output. Black pixels are only added if no further source pixels are left.

--output output

Specifies the output on which a subsequently supplied file shall be set as wallpaper. You can retrieve a list of outputs on your system by executing xrandr(1). If no output is specified, all outputs will be modified individually. The special keyword all will repeat subsequent actions on all displays. If the output could not be found, its associated actions are ignored.

--screen screen

Specifies a screen by its screen number. Normally all screens of an X display are processed. Please note that a screen is not a single monitor. See --output for such a use case above.

--stretch file

Stretches input file to fully cover the output. If the aspect ratio of the input file does not match the output, then the ratio of the input file is adjusted.

--tile file

Uses tiling mode. Draws the input file at the upper left corner of the output and repeats the image until the remaining area of the output is covered.

--version

Prints version and exits.

--zoom file

Zooms input file to fit output with cropping. This could mean zooming in or out, depending on the dimensions of the input file and the output. If the ratio does not fit the output, parts of the input file will not be shown. The image itself will be centered on output. Default behaviour if no option was selected.

If multiple contradicting options were given, the last supplied option wins. It is also possible to repeat output arguments without any subsequent files. In that case, the last mode and file will be reused.

EXAMPLES¶

Centers a PNG file as a wallpaper on LVDS-1:

Focuses on upper left corner of a JPEG file as a wallpaper on Virtual-1:

Tiles a PNG file as a wallpaper across all outputs:

Zooms into a JPEG file as a wallpaper on each output individually:

Centers and recenters a JPEG file after output updates on all outputs:

Tiles a JPEG file as a wallpaper on VGA-1 and zooms into a PNG file on LVDS-1:

BUGS¶

Use the GitHub issue tracker: https://github.com/stoeckmann/xwallpaper/issues

AUTHOR¶

Tobias Stockmann <tobias@stoeckmann.org>