Nichod
08-20-2009, 09:28 PM
I know a great many might be interested in utilizing Linux on their Tablet PC. I thought as a Ubuntu user I could compile a list of useful and interesting applications for those wishing to move from Windows.
GIMP (http://www.gimp.org) - It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. This is the Linux equivalent to Photoshop. It is missing some useful features like Layer effects and grouping. But from what I've been reading both are actually in the pipeline for integration in the near future.
KRITA (http://www.koffice.org/krita/) - is designed for image editing and drawing with the following advanced features: 16-bit image support, High dynamic resolution images, CMYK and even color management. As part of the KOffice suite it added a full features image editing and draw application - including lots of filters for either serious use or just to play around with. Version 2.0 was recently released and it has made some big leaps including a new plugin system for custom brush engines. I wouldn't recommend running it if you are using standard (Gnome) Ubuntu. As load times will be slow and it has seemed pretty buggy when running under Gnome.
mypaint (http://mypaint.intilinux.com/) - a fast and easy open-source graphics application for digital painters. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it. The brushes and unlimited canvas are two very interesting features. I think of mypaint as the open source equivalent of artrage. It is also available for Windows
Pencil (http://www.pencil-animation.org/) - an animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It lets you create traditional hand-drawn animation (cartoon) using both bitmap and vector graphics.
Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org) - supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more. This is the Illustrator for the open source world. And it has some amazing features that aren't available even in Illustrator. The biggest issue I came across is limitations on export.
Scribus (http://www.scribus.net/) - an open-source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/UNIX, Mac OS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with a combination of "press-ready" output and new approaches to page layout. Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, Spot Colors, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.
Karbon (http://www.koffice.org/karbon/) - a vector drawing application with an user interface that is easy to use, highly customizable and extensible. That makes Karbon a great application for users starting to explore the world of vector graphics as well as for artists wanting to create breathtaking vector art. Part of the same Koffice suite as Krita. It is a bit limited in fuctionality compared to Inkscape.
Gloobus (http://gloobus.wordpress.com/) - I use this term to describe both a file previewer and a coverart visual tool for music. This is an incredible slick file viewer that can even preview .psd/pdf files and videos. It functions much like OSX preview with coverflow.
recordmydesktop (http://sourceforge.net/projects/recordmydesktop/) - this is a useful tool if you want to demonstrate something to someone or just do a recording of your desktop. The name explains it all.
Blender (http://www.blender.org) - free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems. For Blender 2.49 a Python script is available to make working in Blender easier. It creates an overlay of useful buttons with shortcuts to specific menus. It can be found here (http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=129497).
GIMP (http://www.gimp.org) - It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. This is the Linux equivalent to Photoshop. It is missing some useful features like Layer effects and grouping. But from what I've been reading both are actually in the pipeline for integration in the near future.
KRITA (http://www.koffice.org/krita/) - is designed for image editing and drawing with the following advanced features: 16-bit image support, High dynamic resolution images, CMYK and even color management. As part of the KOffice suite it added a full features image editing and draw application - including lots of filters for either serious use or just to play around with. Version 2.0 was recently released and it has made some big leaps including a new plugin system for custom brush engines. I wouldn't recommend running it if you are using standard (Gnome) Ubuntu. As load times will be slow and it has seemed pretty buggy when running under Gnome.
mypaint (http://mypaint.intilinux.com/) - a fast and easy open-source graphics application for digital painters. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it. The brushes and unlimited canvas are two very interesting features. I think of mypaint as the open source equivalent of artrage. It is also available for Windows
Pencil (http://www.pencil-animation.org/) - an animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It lets you create traditional hand-drawn animation (cartoon) using both bitmap and vector graphics.
Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org) - supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more. This is the Illustrator for the open source world. And it has some amazing features that aren't available even in Illustrator. The biggest issue I came across is limitations on export.
Scribus (http://www.scribus.net/) - an open-source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/UNIX, Mac OS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with a combination of "press-ready" output and new approaches to page layout. Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, Spot Colors, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.
Karbon (http://www.koffice.org/karbon/) - a vector drawing application with an user interface that is easy to use, highly customizable and extensible. That makes Karbon a great application for users starting to explore the world of vector graphics as well as for artists wanting to create breathtaking vector art. Part of the same Koffice suite as Krita. It is a bit limited in fuctionality compared to Inkscape.
Gloobus (http://gloobus.wordpress.com/) - I use this term to describe both a file previewer and a coverart visual tool for music. This is an incredible slick file viewer that can even preview .psd/pdf files and videos. It functions much like OSX preview with coverflow.
recordmydesktop (http://sourceforge.net/projects/recordmydesktop/) - this is a useful tool if you want to demonstrate something to someone or just do a recording of your desktop. The name explains it all.
Blender (http://www.blender.org) - free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems. For Blender 2.49 a Python script is available to make working in Blender easier. It creates an overlay of useful buttons with shortcuts to specific menus. It can be found here (http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=129497).