GT Ripple

A Windows desktop can be customized in quite a variety of ways, even through default features. However, third-party applications add a lot more visual elements and tweaks, even completely new designs and layouts. For instance, GT Ripple adds a ripple effect on your desktop, with different customization options.

Once the application is installed on your system, you can run it to see it in action, with the effect instantly applied. The main window also pops up, letting you configure the way the ripple effect behaves on your desktop. Preview is offered in real time, and it hides in the system tray when no longer used, so it doesn’t take up any precious space on your desktop or taskbar.

The visual design of the application itself isn’t the main attraction, and nor does it need to be. This simplicity gives you the possibility to get familiar with all customization options in a short while. An upper toolbar lets you set type and style of ripple, while the rest of the window is fitted with several sliders for intensity.

The ripple effect layer can’t be made to cover your whole screen. Although there’s a height slider, it can only rise up to half the height of your screen, with icons and windows reflected in the lower half. You’re free to chose whether the ripple reflects icons, windows, or both.

Moreover, you can choose to keep desktop icons hidden, and this is a good thing, considering those affected by ripple are rather hard to identify. Direction can be set, as well as custom regions, with options to change region and mask color.

The effect is neatly displayed on your desktop, and even though there are only a few customization sliders, these can change it completely. As such, you get to configure frequency, amplitude, perspective, speed, as well as refresh delay.

Taking everything into consideration, we can say that GT Ripple is a neat desktop visual enhancement, but mostly come in handy if you’re not using the desktop to store many shortcuts, because some risk to get covered by the effect. However, the variety of customization options, quality, and how this affects your workspace make it worth at least a try.