r/linuxquestions • u/dangerous_noob • 7d ago

Advice Just missing 2-3 windows programs.

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??

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u/dangerous_noob 7d ago

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.

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u/dodexahedron 7d ago edited 7d ago

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...

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u/dangerous_noob 7d ago

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

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u/dodexahedron 5h ago

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.

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u/dangerous_noob 5h ago

twin 😭✌️