CDE Interface
CDEインターフェース / 1993–2000s / Style / Platform Screen Languages
The Common Desktop Environment unified UNIX workstations through Motif-derived bevels, a persistent Front Panel, workspace switching and low-color icons, making different hardware feel like one workplace.
At a glance
Visual cues
- Box-like Front Panel along the lower edge
- Raised buttons and recessed fields made from paired light and dark borders
- Low-color pixel icons with dark outlines
- Persistent buttons for switching among workspaces
Best used for
- Shipping one desktop and business application language across UNIX workstations
- Reconstructing a 1990s technical terminal with its operating structure intact
Use this style
Take the compact brief into a project or hand the structured version to an AI tool.
Detailed guidance and sourcesProduction rules, reference works, comparisons, research and citation formats
Dictionary entry
- Type
- Use brief system type and labels that remain distinct at small sizes.
- Composition
- Layer work windows centrally and keep the Front Panel and workspace switch along the lower edge.
- Material
- Place a light top-left edge and dark bottom-right edge on mid-tone surfaces, reversing the bevel only on press.
- Caution
- Gray bevels alone are not CDE. Front Panel, workspaces and Motif state rules must work as one environment.
- Further study
- CDE Style Guide / Front Panel and workspace switch / Motif visual hierarchy
Related entries
- Motif (モチーフ)Same Platform Screen Languages lineage.Compare CDE Interface and Motif
- OPEN LOOK (オープンルック)Same Platform Screen Languages lineage.Compare CDE Interface and OPEN LOOK
More from Platform Screen Languages
Continue through styles in the same Platform Screen Languages family, prioritised by shared effects.
- Palm OS Interface (Palm OSインターフェース)Shared effects: Technique / Trust / Nostalgia.
- OS/2 Workplace Shell (OS/2 Workplace Shell)Shared effects: Technique / Trust / Nostalgia.
- Amiga Workbench (アミガ・ワークベンチ)Shared effects: Technique / Nostalgia.
Browse all Platform Screen Languages entries
Cite this entry
The dictionary is meant to be linked to. Take whichever form fits where you are writing.
- Link
- https://indexstyle.org/styles/cde-interface
- Markdown
- [CDE Interface — IndexStyle](https://indexstyle.org/styles/cde-interface)
- HTML
- <a href="https://indexstyle.org/styles/cde-interface">CDE Interface — IndexStyle</a>