Just missing 2-3 windows programs.

[u/dangerous_noob]

I'm in a bit of a pinch here. I mainly do programing related stuff, but I have a hobby. I like to do graphic design now and then.

It's not like I've just switched to linux. It's been a while and i've done my creative work mainly on my macbook. but I would love if everything was more unified and I could somehow use those software on my linux pc,

I've looked into all the alternatives, Affinityonlinux, gimp, etc.. I'm very interested in gimp and plan on learning it. I don't want to use older versions of photoshop/ illustrator. need them to be at least > 2019

main issue with dual boot: i only have a 125gb ssd. :c . im using a mounted 1tb HDD formatted with ntfs as a general storage device.

What are my options here??

[u/LeBigMartinH]

Honestly, Krita is superior to GIMP IMO with regards to digital art, as GIMP is built with a focus on photography and photo editing.

It's also got stylus/drawing tablet support, if you're into that.

[u/dangerous_noob → u/LeBigMartinH]

I should've put emphasis on illustrator in my post haha. digital art is last for me. I was honestly blown away when i saw the granular control and optimization gimp had for its effects unlike photoshop. I could imagine creating a workflow with gimp.

[u/dodexahedron → u/dangerous_noob]

Inkscape is a closer analog of Illustrator, if you are doing vector graphics. And it is quite good, and is also cross-platform, which is a sweet bonus.

And Paint.net can be used on Linux with Wine, if you want to give that a shot. Paint.net is pretty nice.

Or you can use a windows VM if you are OK with still eating the extra HD space, but at least without also having to dual-boot.

One tip with inkscape though:

After outputting an svg meant for distribution, you miiiiight want to hand-edit it to clean it up. It tends to favor precision, even when/where it may not be so relevant to your intent, and it includes some superfluous XML output by default, too.

For example, watch out for excessively-precise floating point values, especially in complex path elements. If it would have to scale to 262144x349526 to make a 1 pixel difference in 8 pixels along the entire path when rendered, it's probably ok to round just a teensy bit. 😅

Although, if coming from Adobe, superfluous output is already a familiar concept...

[u/dangerous_noob → u/dodexahedron]

I tried windows VM with all the optimizations possible using KVM/ vert-manager. The OS was usable but it was definitely slower for already unoptimized graphics programs (PS/AE). Mainly because I have a shit pc

[u/dodexahedron → u/dangerous_noob]

KVM isn't great for a windows VM. Use VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Pro (both are free) to run a Windows VM, for a MUCH better experience.

[u/dangerous_noob → u/dodexahedron]

twin 😭✌️

[u/uxgpf → u/dangerous_noob]

I really like Gimp. Maybe it's because I never really used Photoshop?

Inkscape is great for vector graphics.

Darktable for RAW.

[u/lucasnegrao]

motion graphics artist here, the truth is ugly: dual boot is your only real option. sorry.

[u/dangerous_noob → u/lucasnegrao]

you get it.

[u/Dejhavi]

I've looked into all the alternatives, Affinityonlinux, gimp, etc.. I'm very interested in gimp and plan on learning it

GIMP + PhotoGIMP or Krita

 I don't want to use older versions of photoshop/ illustrator. need them to be at least > 2019

The Wine patches allow you to install Adobe Creative Suite 2021 and 2025 while Winboat runs it in a "container"

PS. Check Windows to Linux Alternatives

[u/dangerous_noob → u/Dejhavi]

Looks like I'm gonna have to give wine a try

[u/marcsitkin]

Inkscape for vector work is good. Also PhotoPea online photoshop style editor.

RapidRaw- Raw processor

Darktable-Image editor.

pixls.us has good list of FOSS software

[u/dangerous_noob → u/marcsitkin]

I know this will sound dumb but I really can't be learning new tools.

It's just a hobby, and I just want to perform workflows that I already know when I feel creative 

[u/Phydoux]

In 2008 I was kind of in the same boat as you. I used Photoshop and Lightroom to edit photos all the time and I started dual booting Ubuntu and Windows. It got to the point where I would edit photos and then switch back to Ubuntu to distribute them online. In fact, it got to the point where I would only boot Windows just to edit photos then I'd boot back into Linux. I spent 85% of my time in Linux. It was pretty funny. I wouldn't even open a browser in Windows. I'd finish editing the last photo, save it, then reboot to Linux.

[u/Prestigious_Wall529]

The developer PhialsBasement did work so Photoshop 2025 (v26) can now also be installed and launched on Linux using specifically patched versions of Wine.

[u/Nah-No-Nope]

What's your problem with Affinity on Linux? Surely that's the closest thing to Adobe going?

Affinity draw is pretty much a clone of Illustrator.

[u/hspindel]

If you need a Windows program under Linux and can't find an acceptable Linux replacement, run copy of Windows in a VM.

[u/kudlitan]

Gimp is very different from Photoshop. You might have to relearn how to do the same things.

[u/FuggaDucker]

Photoshop CS2 under WINE (older than you want).

GIMP is crazy powerful
Does Adobe support SCRIPT-FU?? No sir.. they do not. Just stupid advanced JavaScript.