You are probably used to see me publishing my Install notes now.
I updated them for the Open-sources digital painting software I use.
This time using PPA , no compiling. The most userfriendly way to have an updated system.
I assume this guide will works on all the 'buntu family , well, I tested and install them all on free time...
Note : Next month 12.10 will come, but I'll stick to 12.04 for the moment.
Gnome 'buntu family :
Linux Mint 13 Cinnamon , Linux Mint 13 Mate , Ubuntu 12.04 unity, or pure Gnome 3 desktop
KDE 'buntu family :
Kubuntu 12.04 , Linux Mint KDE 13
XFCE 'buntu family :
Xubuntu 12.04 , Linux Mint Xfce 13, Voyager 12.04, Ubuntu Studio 12.04
LXDE 'buntu family :
Lubuntu 12.04 , Linux Mint Lxde 13
( also tested Awesome and Open Box )
... you understood, all Linux 'buntu based 12.04.
Note : To use the code here , open a "terminal" ( you can find it in your application menu ) then
copy paste this each line by each line ( with Ctrl + C to copy the
selected line but Ctrl+Maj+V to paste in a terminal ) confirm when needed with typing 'y' or
enter, or type your password when asked.
✤ 1. System :
Its wise to update it after a fresh install :
also , if your system propose it, use the proprietary driver for your Gfx card. Read your distribution documentation about.
Xfce family :
You will probably want to update the XFCE version :
Kde family :
You will probably want to update the KDE version :
Common package :
A little pack of useful softwares.
✤ 2. Wacom tablet :
Gnome family :
Go to the configuration panel of your system , and click on the 'tablet icon' to setup your tablet via an interface. The interface is simple and allow you to do the common things.
KDE family :
Install the tablet module :
then reboot your system, you should see in the 'system setting' panel , under "Input device" an interface to configure the tablet. The interface is simple and let you set any advanced things.
LXDE / XFCE ( and all other in option ) :
You have to write a script and load it at each start to setup your Wacom tablet :
For more infos, watch the 'Wacom tablet' chapter this old depreciated how-to : http://www.davidrevoy.com/article95/linux-mint-11-install-notes , the Wacom part is still working.
✤ 3. Mypaint 1.0.0+Git ppa :
Notes : Mypaint will run fine on mainly all desktop environment.
LXDE / XFCE : Mypaint feel "smoother" here for sure.
KDE family : you may miss some GUI icons or be limited to a poor set of old GTK2 gnome icons if not using System Settings > Apparence > GTK Panel : 'oxygen-GTK' ; it seams there is issue with GTK icons and KDE icons management ; and oxygen-gtk sort of let KDE installed icons theme to be used in the GTK apps. One cons os 'oxygen-GTK' produce also errors of clicking in Mypaint brush menu. An alternative is to install another GTK theme as 'Greybird' , etc... But this will make you have poor icon and a 90s look.
✤ 4. Gimp 2.8.1 + G'Mic :
Notes : Gimp 2.8 series lags compare to 2.6, on every desktop environment I tried ( and on more than 5 differents PC I tried ) . The main lag comes from the brush outliner ( bug report here ) ... Also all the new 'on canvas' things ( traced fat ) just seems to refresh slowly or have five frame per second. This make a frustrating experience compare to 2.6 .I stopped to paint on Gimp after 3 years using it daily for this. But many awesome features as "single windows" , "cage transform", "group layer", "on canvas text editing" made the pills OK to eat. I use it occasionally to launch G'mic and some color filters nowadays.
✤ 5. Krita 2.5.2 :
Notes : Krita relies on a lot of library and is deeply mixed to KDE. I advice to update your whole system after installing this ppa.
If you use proprietary drivers, or Gfx driver, you may want to have the last stable :
KDE family : Krita run here without any problem.
All other family : Krita may looks bad , I mean really bad themed , and color and also for the icons. You will need to install other package to configure it's 'look' and feel.
With installing this 2 GUI you 'll have control over KDE apps theme.
- Run 'qtconfig' and set 'Appearence > Select GUI style > Oxygen' , go in the menu, File > Save , then File > Exit
- Run 'systemsettings' and go to 'Appearence > Icon ' you can install new icon theme with 'Get New Theme' to fit your actual D.E.system theme.
✰ Bonus ✰
my brushes Kit for Krita :
I pasted easy code lines to install them here :
http://paste.kde.org/561878/raw/
Launch Krita, my preset and brushes will be at the end of the list
✤ 6. Open raster thumbnails :
I work mainly with open-raster file format. Having thumbnails is important to keep track of the version of the pictures I work on. Some D.E. have preview some not.
XFCE : have a *.ora thumbnailer, but Thunar display very little thumbnail in 'max' view size. Well it's an exellent move.
KDE : If you have Krita installed, go into Dolphin ( File manager ) then on preferences to configure Dolphin. You can select the open raster preview on General > Preview
Gnome family : They will work when Mypaint save a *.ora. But not otherwise on Nautilus environment.
✤ Conclusion :
Here I use KDE for the moment and since 10 month, I'm happy with it because of the exclusive advanced features : Plasma widget , dualscreen management, Windows rules, multiple files rename in Dolphin , Cleaner file configuration , a mode running without openGL desktop effect for super performances, a total control on every preferences , highly customisable , centralised forum and bugtracker and a good community.
My actual problems are with GTK application who behaves badly on it : Oxygen-gtk problem ? Not easy to guess. With Inkscape , Gimp and Mypaint , I'm forced to adopt an 'hybrid' system for GTK/KDE apps. But the split feels more and more accentuated. KDE 'buntus distribution are raw materials and need a lot of tweaking to enjoy it. Default settings produce one of the worst desktop. But after customisation , it's for me the best. Better default would be great.
For Gnome based ( Unity / Cinammon / Gnome ), not enough configuration, missing *.ora thumbnails , hard to customise... XFCE is making is way nicely...
To end, I've heard about future other big breaking in the Linux desktops ; 12.10 ? Qt 5 ? GTK+3 for XFCE ? Wayland ? I already feel bad for all the feature user will loose on the way ...