---
name: "cubicgrid"
section: "6"
platform: "linux"
package: "xscreensaver"
version: "6.15-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/cubicgrid"
---

# cubicgrid(6)

rotating 3D lattice seen from inside

## NAME

cubicgrid - rotating 3D lattice seen from inside

## SYNOPSIS

**cubicgrid** \[--display *host:display.screen*\] \[--visual *visual*\] \[--window\] \[--root\] \[--window-id *number*\] \[--install\] \[--delay *microseconds*\] \[--mono\] \[--speed *number*\] \[--zoom *number*\] \[--ticks *number*\] \[--bigdots\] \[--fps\] \[--symmetry *crystalographic symmetry*\]

## DESCRIPTION

This program shows the view of an observer located inside a set of points  arranged to a 3D lattice.  As the lattice rotates, various view-throughs appear  and evolve.  A simple idea with interesting results.

## OPTIONS

*cubicgrid* accepts the following options:

- **--window**

  Draw on a newly-created window.  This is the default.

- **--root**

  Draw on the root window.

- **--window-id *number***

  Draw on the specified window.

- **--install**

  Install a private colormap for the window.

- **--visual *visual***

  Specify which visual to use.  Legal values are the name of a visual class, or the id number (decimal or hex) of a specific visual.

- **--delay *microseconds***

  How long to pause between frames.  Default is 20000, or 0.02 second.

- **--mono**

  Draw in black and white.  If not used, a fixed all-color scheme is chosen.

- **--speed *number***

  The maximum speed of the rotation.  The actual speed and axis change smoothly  for better effect.  0.5 - 10.  The default is 1.0.

- **--zoom *number***

  Size of the lattice.  Ideally it should fill all the screen, but one may find  other values also interesting.  5 - 50.  The default of 20 should do for common  screen aspect ratios.

- **--ticks *number***

  The count of points drawn along every axis.  10 - 100.  The default is 30.

- **--bigdots**

  Draw the points twice as big.

- **--fps**

  Display the current frame rate, CPU load, and polygon count.

- **--symmetry *Symmetry***

  Which crystalographic symmetry system to use. One of "auto", "cubic", or "hexagonal". "auto" will randomly select between symmetry systems.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **DISPLAY**

  to get the default host and display number.

- **XENVIRONMENT**

  to get the name of a resource file that overrides the global resources stored in the RESOURCE\_MANAGER property.

- **XSCREENSAVER\_WINDOW**

  The window ID to use with *--root*.

## SEE ALSO

**X**(1), [**xscreensaver**(1)](/xscreensaver/1.md)

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2007 by Vasek Potocek.  Permission to use, copy, modify,  distribute, and sell this software and its documentation for any purpose is  hereby granted without fee, provided that the above copyright notice appear in  all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation.  No representations are made about the  suitability of this software for any purpose.  It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

## AUTHOR

Vasek Potocek \<vasek.potocek@post.cz\>, Dec-28-07.