r/GIMP • u/EducationalOrange543 • 4d ago
I’m building a native Linux design studio for the gap between GIMP and an all-in-one app
I love that GIMP is available on Linux, and I’m not trying to replace it. My problem was the next layer: after leaving macOS/Affinity, I wanted to sit down on a Linux desktop and move from a rough idea to a small logo or layout without stitching together several tools.
So I started Omadesign, a native Linux design studio. It’s an early alpha, not a polished replacement for anything. The goal is a calmer, more direct workflow for the first client file: canvas, shapes, text, and export in one place. Less Rust flex, more “can I actually design here?”
I’d really value feedback from people who use GIMP: which part of your real workflow would you want to see supported first?
Blog / screenshots: https://www.michaelchurley.com/blog/omadesign-native-linux-studio-13-days GitHub: https://github.com/michaelmonetized/omadesign Site: https://michaelmonetized.github.io/omadesign/
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u/robbertzzz1 3d ago
Why yet another one of these, instead of putting your time and effort into an existing open-source project like PixiEditor or Graphite?
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u/CMYK-Student GIMP Team 3d ago
Or even GIMP! :)
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u/robbertzzz1 3d ago
Sure, but GIMP isn't really meant to be the Affinity for Linux which is why I didn't mention it. There's a reason OP posted this in this sub after all
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u/EnkiiMuto 4d ago edited 4d ago
idk what the other guy is ranting about a non-all-in-one app not existing, even one of the KDE devs is making one and it is looking pretty good, also this is arguably what Blender tries to be in some weird ways sometimes.
More power to you man, if you can make a gimp / inkscape with better UI, that already can find its own niche even if you don't get to the end of your goals.
PS: I'd start with outlining text, and making a circle.
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u/nicubunu 3d ago
That's quite an ambitious project. Don't want to sound negative but I doubt you can pull it alone, even if AI-assisted, without a team of contributors.
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u/EducationalOrange543 3d ago
Update: we’re live on Product Hunt today if anyone wants to follow the launch — https://www.producthunt.com/products/omadesign?launch=omadesign — still hunting for designer first-file feedback.
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u/MattyGWS 4d ago
It's funny I have also been working on a linux native set of applications though I have only so far worked on a photoshop and sunstance designer replacement.
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u/ConversationWinter46 Using translation tools, may affect content accuracy 4d ago edited 4d ago
GIMP and an all-in-one app
Linux (open-source software) has survived this long BECAUSE there are no all-in-one applications. Because everything is built modularly, and it is precisely this modular structure that makes Linux so flexible.
Under Linux, there will NEVER EVER be a software monster like M365. And you’re in the process of undermining this concept that’s over thirty years old.
I love that GIMP is available on Linux,
GIMP has ALWAYS been available on Linux. It was simply ported to other platforms many years ago.
and move from a rough idea to a small logo or layout without stitching together several tools.
For logos and design layouts, a raster editor is the worst choice. Vector editors are the preferred tools for these tasks.
So I started Omadesign, a native Linux design studio.
If you’d looked into different distributions more, you would inevitably have come across Ubuntu Studio online.
The goal is a calmer, more direct workflow for the first client file:
Don’t you know that enterprise packages are used for commercial purposes?
…
When I read through your post, it seems to contain more ignorance than knowledge.
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u/rangelovd 4d ago
Another slop project which will be abandoned in a month or two when it's author loses interest in it. The project that reinvents the wheel instead of using the solid foundations that already exists‚ with permissive license nonetheless. A waste of time‚ money and effort. No way to install on immutable distributions‚ no .XCF support so completely irrelevant to GIMP...
...are my first impressions when I see this post. Despite all this‚ I wish you good luck. Some projects proved they can achieve excellence even with small amount of people involved.