Problems with matlab when compiz is activated

[anabelli]

Binary package hint: compiz

I'm using matlab over an ssh -{X,Y} connection. I don't know if the problem exists if matlab is installed locally.

The result of executing the following lines of code is in the images attached:
surf(peaks(30))

I think this bugs affects a lot of people. At least the 30 belonging to my Lab. And not everybody has the patience of trying to debug the thing playing with compiz parameters.

[Travis Watkins (amaranth)]

Does this happen if you enable the metacity compositor as well? It looks like matlab is foolishly using an ARGB pixmap with full alpha set which would work fine without compositing but gives the result shown when things start caring about alpha.

To enable metacity compositing run gconf-editor and change the /apps/metacity/general/compositing_enabled setting.

[anabelli (anabelli)]

I'll check it on monday.
Thanks.

[anabelli (anabelli)]

- travis

I found no "compositing_enabled" key, I actually activated "compositing_manager" and turned on "Normal" visual effects but the problem persists.

[Travis Watkins (amaranth)]

Don't turn on Normal visual effects after changing that setting, leave it on None and see if you get the same problem. That'll tell us if it's a compiz problem or a matlab problem.

[Travis Watkins (amaranth)]

Also make sure the window has a drop shadow just like it does when Normal effects are enabled. That'll be how you know the compositing_manager feature is enabled in metacity.

[anabelli (anabelli)]

Ok.
With compositing_manager activated it doesn't work.

[Travis Watkins (amaranth)]

Alright in that case it is a problem with matlab and you'll need to let MathWorks know about it so it can get corrected.

[anabelli (anabelli)]

I did and this was the answer:

Response from The MathWorks - 24 Nov, 2009 09:59:45 AM
Bonjour,

It seems an issue with Java in conjunction with COMPIZ Window Manager. There are some known sun bugs.
Using another window manager will probably resolve the issue
Several existing issues with Java and compiz are displayed on the sun bug database.

$$$

In fact, disabling opengl in matlab (`opengl neverselect`), de-activating compiz and activating metacity as composite manager works. Compiz has something to do with the affair (taken apart that java is evil other than slow).

cheers,
aa