Sijun Forums :: View topic - Digital Art in Linux

tweeker241 · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2001 2:19 pm

Hello: "long time listener, first time caller." I was introduced to Sijun forums about a year ago by a friend, and have been lurking ever since, very interested but never knowing what to post. This morning, I woke up and realized that I really wanted to get into digial art, and decided to register up and jump in!

So here is my question: I have been using Slackware Linux for about three years now, and I am fairly committed to Linux and Open Source (first and foremost, I am a programmer and a Computer Science geek, so I am not about to give up Linux). So as you can imagine, I am desperately looking for a solution that will allow me to learn/create digital art in Linux, well (not half-assed). I realize that The GIMP is pretty good, but I also realize that it won't match up to Photoshop now, or probably ever.

Therefore, what suggestions can you give as to what can be done in my situation: I do not plan on giving up Linux, but I am willing to take a hit in software usuability/quality as I am just beginning my adventure into digital art anyway. Does anybody have experience with tablets and software in Linux that worked out really well/somewhat well for them? On the other hand, does anyone have horror stories that I should be made aware of as well?

All in all, I am really excited about digital art and would love to, if possible, start learning and creating, but I need to get my setup working first

.

Thanks for all the help, and I imagine you will hear from me again soon!
Ryan

[ November 14, 2001: Message edited by: tweeker241 ]

Gort · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2001 3:05 pm

Whoa dude - you're a real pioneer!

My only take on the matter is to perhaps have a dual boot set up, so you can then use an OS that runs the "industry standards" for 2d and 3d development (you probably already knew that though). Other than that, I cannot really think of any other solution. I have tried the GIMP, but it just doesn't cut it - for me. Anyone else?

Socar MYLES · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2001 3:30 pm

I love Linux and loathe Windows...but nothing compares to Photoshop, as far as I'm concerned.

However, if you're really good, it's not going to matter WHAT program you use. I've seen some absolutely brilliant work done in Paint Shop Pro, in GIMP, even in ZBrush. So if you really want to...keep trying with it.

balistic · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2001 4:05 pm

Has Corel ported Photo-Paint over to Linux yet? If they have, then it would be an excellent tool to use. Its a bit of a mid-ground between Painter and Photoshop.

elam · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2001 9:33 pm

I believe Corel sold their Linux division. At least I couldn't find anything with your link, B.

I used the Linux version of Photopaint about a year ago, and it wasn't that good. They ported the Windows app using WINE, a windows emulator, and it had all kinds of problems. But it was a lot better than GIMP, at least for natural media. Just like Painter, really. My Wacom doesn't work real well in Linux either. Hardly and pressure sensitivity.

It's a shame too, cause I hate windows. The only reason I have it on my system is for Hash's Animation Master and Painter.

But the 3d world is coming along nicely on Linux with Maya and Softimage being ported, so maybe a drawing app is next.

And I've seen some sweet art being created with PaintChat, so anything is possible.
You know, Photoshop isn't a pro in the Natural Media department either. In fact, until I saw Mullin's work, I didn't even think that type of work was possible in PS. But his shit is unbelievable. And the processes he uses can be done with GIMP.
Maybe we can get him to try to create a piece with GIMP?

Hey! Your're a programmer right, Tweeker? Just code a drawing program. Open source that bitch, and it'll be done in no time!

<geek>Isn't Slackware the shit? I've used about every distro, and that one has little probs.</geek>

tweeker241 · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2001 9:43 pm

quote:
Originally posted by elam:
I believe Corel sold their Linux division. At least I couldn't find anything with your link, B.

Yeah, they did sell the division, but somehow I was able to find the download file...BUT, after a nearly 200 meg download, I found out that the stupid thing is only made for DEB or RPM packaging - goddamn them.

As elam said though, Photo-Paint is actually just a shoddy port of the Windows version using Wine (I ended up getting it running on a friends machine), and it is much to slow and cumbersome to use. Thanks for the tip, but it is (sadly) not up to par.

quote:

Hey! Your're a programmer right, Tweeker? Just code a drawing program. Open source that bitch, and it'll be done in no time!

I have acutally considered that from time to time, and in a year or so I am going to start taking computer graphics courses at my college, so hey, you never know, I might soon be doing just that

quote:

<geek>Isn't Slackware the shit? I've used about every distro, and that one has little probs.</geek>

Most defintely is - like you said, and as many people I know have done as well, most Slackers are people who have tried, and been fed up with, most other distros. Once you get used to it, Slack most defintely is the best. But of course, that is just my opinion

.

Loki · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2001 12:24 am

I've been thinking about Linux a lot lately, but since Adobe is refusing to port PS over, there's little alternatives on that platform - and there's a reason why Gimp is called the Gimp ...
The low system overhead is nice, but as long as there are no programs that come close to PS it's just not feasible for the work I do ...

balistic · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2001 12:38 am

http://linux.corel.com/products/draw/features.htm

Looks like Photo-Paint 9 is available for Linux. Like I said, its a great combination of the best features of Painter and PS, and is quite usable in a production environment.

You can do some fun stuff with brush textures:

and its got all the layer handling abilities that Painter lacks. It also has a nice built-in procedural texture engine, useful for adding subtle variation to large areas of color.

I'm not normally one to pimp software, but I swear, Photo-Paint, despite being made by Corel, is a really great tool.

balistic · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2001 2:31 pm

Yeah, I read about the Wine thing after I posted the link . . . oh well

egerie · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2001 6:30 pm

I heard sometimes last year (or maybe is it older) that corel made Corel Draw free for Linux users... Old news ? What was that ? Anyway... And someone told me about The Gimp but judging from their website it doesn't look very promising....
*crawls back to satanic OS*

ceenda · member Member # Joined: 27 Jun 2000 Posts: 2030

Once I get my Wacom working in Linux, I plan to test the 'drawing in Linux' theory...

Mandrake 8.1 kicks ass... it also kicked my boot sector's ass... but there you go...