Linux for Designers: Part 1

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I’ve been a Windows user since I was about 5, a Mac user for 5 days and a Linux user for 10 months. There’s being preachy about the whole Linux vs. Mac vs. Windows thing, or there’s actually discussing ways of getting things done. Case in point: graphic design. »

For the folks outside the loop, Linux, like Windows and Mac OS, is an “operating system”. This is the piece of software that is loaded with your computer, and runs the whole system; including your software and all the hardware bits too. What makes Linux different is, that it’s free, isn’t copyrighted, and comes in different flavours made by different people called “distributions.”

For graphic designers, Adobe Creative Suite software is only available for Mac and Windows users. Always has been this way. Lets face it, the majority of designers are Mac users, but there’s still a heck of a lot of Windows designers too.

For Linux, there doesn’t seem like there’s going to be a ported version anytime soon. So for now, we’ll have to make do with the alternatives out there. Plus, the market share of Linux is gradually increasing, so there may be some increase in graphic designers that adapt to the platform.

So here’s the scenario. You’ve never used Windows, you’ve ditched your Mac, and now you’re on a Linux OS. You’re a graphic designer but you still want to keep your job. What options do I have on a Linux box?

Here, I’ll show you and review the most effective alternatives for the Creative Suite set of applications, along with their pros and cons, of course. I didn’t realise how long this review was going to be, so I’ve decided to split it up a little to prevent choking.

Adobe Illustrator – Inkscape

Inkscape is definitely the most complete and advanced vector app under Linux.  Personally, I use it for mostly everything, and get down to the effects and advanced tweaking in GIMP. Things like the blogs’ banner was made under Inkscape.

In terms of features, you’ll find your basic Beizer line pen, freehand tools, text and polygons. Along with this, you get a calligraphy tool and 3D shapes. Files are saved as a SVG file, which is an increasingly popular format on the web, or as a PNG bitmap or PDF file. There’s a good range of editable features relating to the drawn media, and also transparency isn’t a problem, especially when designing for the web. CYMK is built in as a colour model, although no Pantone support without  a paper swatch.

Don’t rely on on the PDF output of Inkscape though, it is loosely configureable and produces pretty bad results, specially when dealing with gradients. You’re best suited to export the file as a PNG and import it into another application to print. However, unlike GIMP, Inkscape comes with a filter which places registration marks and trim lines onto your work.

Pros

• SVG format is lightweight.
• Good selection of drawing tools, filters and other features.
• Support for advanced input tools, Wacom tablets.
• Moderate amount of preset palettes for different purposes, but no Pantone.

Cons

• The stable version is quite old; most of the functionality comes with the unstable version. The unstable version needs compiling and this may take around an hour.
• Poor support with Adobe Illustrator .ai files.
• Imported images don’t import straight into the file – imported images get copied as files next to the saved document.
• No image compression features for the web

Inkscape website »

Adobe Photoshop -  GIMP

The tragically named GIMP – GNU Image Manipulation Program – isn’t exactly up to par with Photoshop, but still has a decent amount of features under it’s interface that can match most of the functionality in Photoshop. In fact, a lot of tutorials that involve the use of Photoshop can be completed with similar features in GIMP.

Files save as .xcf files, which is the native format in GIMP, but there is an option to save as .psd for Photoshop.

Like previously mentioned, I do most of my work in Inkscape and then it’s imported into GIMP for the extra touch. I’ve done a couple of websites that I’ve designed in Inkscape and then sliced up in GIMP, so web designers will feel right at home with the software. The inbuilt features that allow for compression will also be a welcome treat.

The pen tool in GIMP is hard to work with, but this may be because I’m used to using the pen tool in a vector editor like Inkscape.

One of my favourite features of GIMP is the high degree of customisation that the windows have. Things can be tabbed together and rearranged, which is useful for working on small-screened notebooks. My only foible with the UI is the disorganised stack of windows you end up with. It would be better to implement a tabbed feature similar to that in CS4.

Pros

• Excellent cross-compatibility with Photoshop, saves and opens .psd files.
• Good set of features, everything you would expect from an image editor.
• Nice amount of export features and settings.

Cons

• Starting off in GIMP is another learning curve.
• You’re screwed if you accidently save as PNG or any other format that will flatten the image, instead of the editable XCF format. It’s unclear about this, so remember to always “Save As Copy” into the flattened format and save as XCF.
• Lack of Pantone support.
• Weird search queries when looking for masking tutorials.

GIMP comes by default in distros like Ubuntu, but can be downloaded from gimp.org.

The next part of the series, including Linux alternatives for Dreamweaver, InDesign and Acrobat will follow next week. Leave you’re questions and abuse in the comments!

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Filed under Linux for Designers, graphic design, linux, series

Tags: adobe, creative suite, gimp, graphic design, illustrator, inkscape, linux, photoshop, ubuntu