If you are just the slightest bit familiar with Linux then I am sure that you have heard of XGL. It is what adds all of the realistic 3D effects to the windows that you drag around and the virtual desktops that you switch between. Of course, one of the most popular features is probably the 3D cube for switching between your virtual desktops.
There is a new Firefox extension in town and it is called Tab Effect (the screenshot above is from the extension, not XGL). With the assistance of a little DirectX 8 (and beyond) it is able to provide transitional effects when switching between your tabs. Now it isn’t exactly like XGL where you can manually rotate a cube for switching between tabs, but the animation makes it look like you are rotating a cube each time you switch tabs. Honestly, this is the most amazing visual effect that I have ever seen in Firefox. If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like a little extra “eye candy” then this extension won’t be for you…it doesn’t make you more productive or add any useful features.
So now for the downside. I’m not sure if this will happen for everyone, but whenever I tried to create a new blank tab Firefox would crash if I was running this extension. If I was just opening a link to a site in a new tab it would be fine, but that is still quite a huge drawback for me. The extension was just released yesterday so there are a lot of kinks that needed to be worked out (and reading through the comments confirms that), but I’m sure it will continue to be developed since it is a new extension. Not to mention that this could put Firefox ahead of other browsers in terms of visual effects.
Once it stabilizes I will definitely be adding this to my small collection of extensions!
Don’t attempt to install on Vista 64-bit. I’m running 64 bit Ultimate RTM and it causes Firefox to stop responding completely.
It might have something to do with the DirectX version that is being used. Unfortunately it still isn’t a fully working extension with the frequent crashes that occur when using it.
How cool! Works perfect for me.
Its working fine for me, I just created a few tabs without crashing.
Its class, a little slow perhaps, but class
Wow
I think this is now my favorite firefox Add-on!
Wow thanks this is sweet. It works like a charm on my work computer.
I am so bummed. It does nothing for me. Perhaps it is clashing with another plugin or something.
Works for me, but I think I’m going to uninstall it because it makes me dizzy. I switch tabs a lot and I’m prone to motion sickness!
I just found a bug in the extension. When this is installed the RSS feeds won’t work, well the RSS feed work but you can’t choose the story from the drop down list. For shame this was such a cool extension too.
Crashed my 2.0 Firefox & I had to restart in Firefox safemode to uninstall the thing. Maybe it is conflicting with a particular extension some have.
Darn. WHEN IS THE LINUX VERISON COMING OUT???
Amazing Plugin! I love it and have had no problem with it.
works gr8 for me. fx 2.01 on win xp. restarted the browser after install with 13 tabs, and working ok so far. no crashes either.
still need 2 see if there is some memory overhead or something.
Who would have thought that an extension could do that!
I’m glad this is working for many of you. What versions of DirectX are you running? I am running 9.0c so I am wodering if that is contributing to my problems? Just go to the Start Menu -> Run -> type “dxdiag” without the quotes -> press OK and then read the version number that is displayed with your system information.
Mine:
WindowsXP Pro (Dutch)
Firefox 2.0.0.1
DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Man, those are all the same stats as me.
I even tried the extension on a clean profile only to still have it crash when I opened a new tab.
does absolutely nothing on my machine
xp pro
ff 2.0.0.1
dx 9.0c
Will this make the naked ladies I’m downloading from my neighbor’s wireless access point more attractive, or at least, more three-dimensional? Or do I still have to pretend that a Mason jar full of half-cooked spaghetti noodles feels “as good as the real thing”?
extension related problem, or not:
i’ve noticed that the cybermark option went a bit kaka after installing this:
clicking on an uncybermarked article, doesn’t change it 2 green.
clicking on a green cybermark leads to the manage screen, where i can delete it, but in the article it will remain green.
once iv’e deleted it from the list, i can’t put it back in my cybermark, but when i click the cybermark link it takes me back to the list.
i’ve disabled the extension – but same problem.
Ashley, Ryan, what do you think?
I just get a rotating blank screen
haha, yea same here, no problems at all so far, but I’m getting dizzy.
Just a sidenote, but Xgl only makes sure hardware as old as mine can handle these effects. It’s Beryl or Compiz that takes care of these effects, which is even cooler than having it in your Firefox window.
BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT !!!!!
I’ve been using it for about a week and I’ve disabled it for now. The motion gets a little tiresome after a while.
I showed a few co-workers and they all had the same reaction, “Oh wow, that’s so cool!”
It is cool but it gets old.
You’ve been using it for a week…I think it has only been out three days.
I could see how it would get old and I’m sure I would start to feel that way as well, but I’m not even able to use it since my browser crashes every time I create a new tab. I think it is still pretty cool.
In my Firefox it doesn’t crash
This extension works perfectly! It is beautiful, and I will use it constantly. 
“Tab Effect” add-on just updated to version 1.1. Whats new:
I also see some more small undocumented bugfixes… Now “Tab Effect” is perfect.
Ryan, try this extension again, maybe it will not crash
It works…it really really works! Yipee!