Transform Ubuntu into OS X
July 11, 2009
This post is aggregate of all my research i have done to make ubuntu or gnome look like a OSX. Why OSX you might ask, well no doubt it is the best when it comes to style. Im a big fan of apple user interfaces though they lack a bit in functionality and obviously they are very expensive unless you have lot of money 
Ubuntu’s Gnome GUI is extremely customizable. With themes, icons, cursors, etc., you can have that OS X Leopard look without the OS X price.
Follow these steps :
1. Download :
- Great OS X theme for Gnome is the Mac4Lin project over at SourceForge.net. Its like OSX transformation pack. Just head over to the site and download the latest package. Extract the Mac4Lin in your home directory.
- Download the tarball archive containing the cursors, login screen, icons, splash screen here. The tutorial assumes you have downloaded the archive to your home folder. To unpack the archive use the following in a terminal:
- cd ~
- wget http://www.stchman.com/themes/OSX_Theme_Icons_Cursor_LoginGDM_Fonts_Splash.tar.gz
- tar -zxvf ~/OSX_Theme_Icons_Cursor_LoginGDM_Fonts_Splash.tar.gz
The tarball contains 10 different files:
Cursors_57588-Shere_Khan_X.tar.gz
Fonts.zip
gdm-osx-theme.tar.gz
Icons_LeopardX-V2.6.tar.gz
Mac4Lin_GTK_Aqua_v0.3.tar.gz
OS_X_Splash.png
GDM_Login/gdm-osx-theme.tar.gz
GDM_Login/gdm_osx-login.tar.gz
GDM_Login/Mac4Lin_GDM_v0.4.tar.gz
GDM_Login/UbuntuLeopard_GDM_theme.tar.gz
2. Install OSX Theme
CD to the Mac4Lin directory and issue the command
sh Mac4Lin_Install_v1.0_RC.sh ( the file name should be the one in the directory, since the version keeps changing )
Viola you are done. now you have the OSX theme , login screen and icons. Max4Lin is still in development hence when you apply the theme not all components like fonts, cursors are changed. That is fine, I’ll show you how to do that.
3. Install AWN theme
Awn is the great OSX like dock. Nothing comes better than that in ubuntu. The default theme of awn doesn’t match much with OSX theme. Mac4Lin has the OSX theme for AWN. Open up the Mac4Lin directory and find the folder by name AWN. Here is how to install it
Just open awn and click on dock preferences and click themes. There you can add theme by selecting the awn theme in Mac4Lin directory. Apply it and you are finished.
4. Install the OS X cursors
- Open the Themes Manager or Appearance Preferences
- Click the Install button and point to the Cursors_57588-Shere_Khan_X.tar.gz archive
- Do not Apply the changes
- Open the Mouse manager via System—>Preferences—>Mouse and click the Pointers tab
- Select the Shere_Kahn_X cursors
- Select Close
5. Install the OS X fonts
- Open a terminal and type or copy the following
sudo unzip -d /usr/share/fonts/truetype/ ~/Fonts.zip
sudo fc-cache -f -v
- This will install the fonts to your system. Apple uses the Lucida Grande font.
- Open the Font menu via System—>Preferences—>Font and make the following changes
Application Font Lucida Grande 9 Point
Document Font Lucida Grande 9 Point
Desktop Font Lucida Grande 9 Point
Window Title Font Lucida Grande Bold 10 Point
Fixed Width Font Bitstream Vera Sans Mono 9 Point
- Reboot the workspace CTRL-ALT-BKSP for the changes to take effect
6. Firefox Theme
Change Firefox skin to a Safari theme here. I have found that the iFox Metal theme give the best OS X look.
You now have a Gnome desktop that looks very much like OS X Leopard. I hope it helps you. If you like this article please consider a digg, tweet 
A special thanks to stchman and Anirudh Acharya, Developer – Mac4Lin
Enjoy the screenshots
July 11, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I use Ubuntu 9.04. Downloaded the package, unpack.
I don’t have sh Mac4Lin_Insta*.sh (bash file).
|– gtk-2.0
| |– Arrows
| | |– arrow-down-prelight.png
| | |– arrow-down.png
| | |– arrow-down_.png
| | |– arrow-left.png
| | |– arrow-right-norm.png
| | |– arrow-right-prelight.png
| | |– arrow-right.png
| | `– arrow-up.png
| |– Buttons
| | |– button-default.png
| | |– button-insensitive.png
| | |– button-normal.png
| | |– button-normal_ALT.png
| | |– button-prelight.png
| | |– button-prelight_ALT.png
| | |– button-pressed.png
| | `– button-pressed_ALT.png
| |– Check-Radio
| | |– check1.png
| | |– check2.png
| | |– check3.png
| | |– check4.png
| | |– check5.png
| | |– checklight.png
| | |– highlight.png
| | |– option1.png
| | |– option2.png
| | |– option3.png
| | |– option4.png
| | `– option5.png
| |– Combo
| | |– combo-active.png
| | |– combo-arrow-insens.png
| | |– combo-arrow-prelight.png
| | |– combo-arrow.png
| | |– combo-inactive.png
| | |– combo-normal.png
| | |– combo-prelight.png
| | `– toolbutton-prelight.png
| |– Frame-Gap
| | |– frame-gap-end.png
| | |– frame-gap-start.png
| | |– frame1.png
| | `– frame2.png
| |– Handles
| | |– handle-h.png
| | `– handle-v.png
| |– Lines
| | |– line-h.png
| | `– line-v2.png
| |– ListHeaders
| | |– list_header-prelight.png
| | |– list_header-pressed.png
| | `– list_header.png
| |– Menu-Menubar
| | |– ALTERNATIVE_MENU_ACTIVE.png
| | |– _.png
| | |– menu-arrow-prelight.png
| | |– menu-arrow.png
| | |– menu-separator.png
| | |– menu.png
| | |– menubar-item.png
| | `– menuitem.png
| |– Others
| | |– focus.png
| | |– null.png
| | |– ruler.png
| | `– ruler_.png
| |– Panel
| | |– 22leopard.png
| | |– 22tube-bright.png
| | |– 22tube.png
| | |– 24common-bright-stripes.png
| | |– 24common.png
| | |– 48common-bright.png
| | |– 48common.png
| | |– 48leopard.png
| | |– box.png
| | |– osx-top-bar-1024×768.png
| | |– osx-top-bar.png
| | |– panel-bg-1.png
| | |– panel-bg-2.png
| | |– panel-bg.png
| | |– panelbutton1.png
| | |– panelbutton2.png
| | `– panelbutton3.png
| |– ProgressBar
| | |– progressbar-horiz.png
| | |– progressbar-vert.png
| | |– trough-progressbar-horiz.png
| | `– trough-progressbar-vert.png
| |– Range
| | |– null.png
| | |– slider-horiz-prelight.png
| | |– slider-horiz.png
| | |– slider-vert-prelight.png
| | |– slider-vert.png
| | |– trough-horizontal.png
| | `– trough-vertical.png
| |– Scrollbars
| | |– slider-horiz-prelight.png
| | |– slider-horiz.png
| | |– slider-vert-prelight.png
| | |– slider-vert.png
| | |– stepper-down.png
| | |– stepper-left.png
| | |– stepper-right.png
| | |– stepper-up.png
| | |– trough-scrollbar-horiz.png
| | `– trough-scrollbar-vert.png
| |– Shadows
| | |– entry-shadow-in.png
| | |– entry-shadow-in_.png
| | |– shadow-etched-out.png
| | |– shadow-in.png
| | |– shadow-in_ALT.png
| | |– shadow-none.png
| | |– shadow-out.png
| | |– shadow-out_ALT.png
| | |– text (Kopie).png
| | |– text-entry (Kopie).png
| | |– text-entry.png
| | |– text.png
| | `– window-bg.png
| |– Spin
| | |– spin-down-disable.png
| | |– spin-down-prelight.png
| | |– spin-down.png
| | |– spin-up-disable.png
| | |– spin-up-prelight.png
| | |– spin-up.png
| | `– spin.png
| |– Tabs
| | |– notebook_bottom_flat.png
| | |– notebook_bottom_flat_.png
| | |– notebook_left_flat.png
| | |– notebook_left_flat_.png
| | |– notebook_right_flat.png
| | |– notebook_right_flat_.png
| | |– notebook_top_flat.png
| | |– notebook_top_flat_.png
| | |– notebook_top_flat_BOLD.png
| | |– round_borders_WORK_FILE.png
| | |– tab-bottom-active.png
| | |– tab-bottom.png
| | |– tab-left-active.png
| | |– tab-left-active2.png
| | |– tab-left.png
| | |– tab-left2.png
| | |– tab-right-active.png
| | |– tab-right.png
| | |– tab-top-active.png
| | `– tab-top.png
| |– Toolbar
| | |– blank.png
| | |– blankbutton.png
| | |– toolbar (Kopie).png
| | |– toolbar (noch eine Kopie).png
| | |– toolbar.png
| | |– toolbar2.png
| | |– toolbar3.png
| | |– toolbar_background.png
| | |– toolbarbg.png
| | |– toolbarjhj.png
| | |– toolbutton-normal.png
| | |– toolbutton-prelight.png
| | |– toolbutton-pressed.png
| | `– toolbutton-toggled.png
| |– gtkrc
| `– panel.rc
`– metacity-1
|– button-close-focused.png
|– button-close-pressed.png
|– button-close-unfocused.png
|– button-maximize-focused.png
|– button-maximize-pressed.png
|– button-maximize-unfocused.png
|– button-menu-focused.png
|– button-menu-pressed.png
|– button-menu-unfocused.png
|– button-minimize-focused.png
|– button-minimize-pressed.png
|– button-minimize-unfocused.png
|– frame-bottom-left-focused.png
|– frame-bottom-mid-focused.png
|– frame-bottom-right-focused.png
|– left.png
|– metacity-theme-1.xml
|– pixmaps.active_left.png
|– pixmaps.active_right.png
|– pixmaps.active_top.png
|– pixmaps.active_top_left.png
|– pixmaps.active_top_right.png
|– right.png
`– top.png
20 directories, 177 files
July 11, 2009 at 2:04 pm
hey first you need to download Mac4Lin! see the first point in download section.
July 12, 2009 at 12:17 am
Thanks guys.
I installed. It looks great. No problems so far
July 11, 2009 at 3:15 pm
[...] Transform Ubuntu into OS X « .:DE$TROY3R:.tanu.wordpress.com [...]
July 11, 2009 at 3:40 pm
popurls.com // popular today…
story has entered the popular today section on popurls.com…
July 12, 2009 at 1:48 am
Thank you very much!
July 11, 2009 at 3:48 pm
A couple of cents’ worth:
Gnome is OK, but I pull out Mono this way:
sudo apt-get remove –purge mono-common libmono0
In case the MS fanboys completely take over gnome, I am using KDE again. KDE4 is a complete rewrite and is getting better all the time.
Strangely, both MacOS X and gnome have single-pane “finders”, whereas KDE is very strong in the two-pane file manager approach, which is infinitely easier for copying and moving files (and who doesn’t do that?) without having to open another file manager/finder window.
On the mac and on linux, I am now using MuCommander (it’s written in Java, so it’s completely portable)
And, to further even out my mac-linux split-brain life, I am running Quicksilver on the mac (so no need to launch apps from the overcrowded dock, nor to hunt down popular apps and folders ) and on linux, Krunner does the same, as well as launchy (I use Krunner). These are huge productivity enhancers, as they save almost all trips to the file manager/finder and dock or app menu.
Thanks for the pointer to AWN. (Avant Window Navigator) I have had success with Simdock (in the Ubuntu repositories) though I suspect that Simdock is a lot simpler. Works fine with KDE though it is a WxGTK product. However, with Krunner or Launchy, there’s really no need for a dock. Just type in the app or folder you want and it shows up.
(I have a 12″ laptop, so conservation of screen real-estate is a big deal.)
July 12, 2009 at 12:11 am
[...] Transform Ubuntu into OS X This post is aggregate of all my research i have done to make ubuntu or gnome look like a OSX. Why OSX you might ask, [...] [...]
July 12, 2009 at 4:03 am
Author wrote “Why OSX you might ask, well no doubt it is the best when it comes to style.”
Oh I assure you, there is plenty of doubt.
July 12, 2009 at 10:16 am
Hey Tan, Seems like you are much in to Linux platform.. we are completely opposite..
I work for Windows.. anyways its a great post dude..
July 12, 2009 at 10:19 am
hey, glad you liked it.. yep more into Linux at home but at office no option Windows
July 12, 2009 at 4:43 pm
[...] Ce relooking complet de Linux Ubuntu en Mac OS X est avant tout destiné aux geeks les moins fortunés désirant flamber avec leur version custom Ubuntu OSX, c’est vrai que le résultat est assez incroyable et on a vraiment l’impression d’être sur un Mac OS Leopard. Le réalisme est poussé encore plus loin avec même un skin pour que Firefox ressemble à Safari, l’illusion sera alors totale ! Comptez un petit 30mn pour réaliser l’opération. Tout la marche à suivre par ici. [...]
July 13, 2009 at 4:07 am
[...] Transform Ubuntu into OS X (tags: ubuntu osx desktop) [...]
July 13, 2009 at 4:40 pm
[...] Well last saturday on a lazy afternoon, i decided i should write a post on Transforming ubuntu into OSX. I had changed my ubuntu to OSX visual style a month back, i really enjoyed watching it. It almost looked like OSX, except of course the OS So i thought people might like it and then i wrote the post, about how to do it. you can check it here [...]
July 14, 2009 at 8:56 am
cheers man… great work. though i dint try it yet, i greatly appreciate the work behind your post. keep the good work going.
July 14, 2009 at 5:14 pm
thank you very much..
July 14, 2009 at 10:22 am
[...] Transform Ubuntu into OS X « .:DE$TROY3R:. Category: Web [...]
July 15, 2009 at 12:55 am
So I tried to install second time on my laptop (Ubuntu 9.04).
Somehow Maximize,Minimize, Close buttons on the right side.
Any ideas why?
July 15, 2009 at 1:38 am
thats strange.. You have installed theme of Mac4Lin right ? through the shell script..
check out the Mac4Lin documentation here http://sourceforge.net/projects/mac4lin/files/mac4lin/Mac4Lin_1.0_Documentation-RC2b.pdf
see the section see page 9. it has tutorial on Shifting the order of the titlebar buttons
July 15, 2009 at 3:22 pm
This is utterly meaningless. You are using what I believe to be the best platform, and you try to emulate another one? You are supposed to enjoy the freedom of GNU/Linux, and you try to enslave your taste to that of Apple? Utterly nonsense!
If you want a cool GUI, try out non-mainstream Window Manager. I am especially fond of Enlightenment; some of my friends like {Black,Flux}Box series; Metisse is really breathtaking; even xfce looks pretty nice. Why on Earth do you want to copy from Apple?
July 15, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Utterly Meaningless ?? LOL come on dude, it might be for you. Its not about copying i like that theme, thats the reason im emulating it.
Yeah i know, there are plenty of good themes out there. especially newly launched gnome colors. Its just my liking that i want my ubuntu this way. There is no harm in trying out new things.
July 16, 2009 at 11:51 am
[...] un article sur le blog de DE$TROY3R proposant de skiner votre Ubuntu afin de faire ressembler celui-ci à Mac OS X dans les moindres [...]
July 21, 2009 at 12:51 am
I like your blog. I assume that you’re a programmer.
What editor do you use? Did you ever try to install Red Carpet on Linux?
Textmate http://macromates.com/ is good editor for MAC
July 21, 2009 at 2:11 am
Yeah im a programmer. I use good old Vim and Eclipse. Nope haven’t heard of it. Will try it.
July 21, 2009 at 2:27 am
I use VI and Ubuntu 9.04 for development. Tried to install redcar (http://redcareditor.com/) similar to Textmate – it failed. I don’t think they support X64 on Linux.
What settings do you use for vi?
Thanks
July 21, 2009 at 4:39 am
wow that’s great. Well it depends on which programming language you are working on. i use vim for rails. These is one of the scripts that helps automate most of the rails http://www.vim.org/scripts/script.php?script_id=1567
You can find something like this for your preferred language.
Redcar looks interesting. will check it out..
August 4, 2009 at 2:29 am
[...] This is pretty neat: Transform Ubuntu into OSX [...]
August 15, 2009 at 8:45 am
Thanks for the tutorial,
but i cannot find the pointer tab on mouse preference.
I use superOs 9.04.
August 17, 2009 at 1:49 pm
My ubuntu jaunty now looks great, baut i still dont know how to install the spalsh screen.