Linux graphic art apps tutorials: suggestions?

Lounge Linux lounge
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I am searching the forums and the web, but I thought I’d also ask here. Do you have any favorite tutorials/sites for getting up to speed quickly with any of these?

Scribus
Inkscape
Gimp
Krita – I did find Krita’s Intro Coming from Photoshop section already

I’m also open to suggestions for alternate programs or why one might prefer Gimp or Krita over the other. These are just the ones that I’ve heard about and have installed.

Please and thank you! Any suggestions welcome. I do not want to try to figure this out on my own, but I’d also rather not spend a week trying to find sites and/or videos that go beyond just the very basics (though I need those, too).

Rambly, whiny part:

My graphic art classes were almost 30 years ago. I originally learned PageMaker and Macromedia Freehand. :person_shrugging: So I have an ingrained understanding–and habits–regarding how I’m supposed to do things.

I open these programs and can’t figure out how to deselect. :face_with_spiral_eyes: I needed to make a small change in an image the other day, so I thought I’d try Krita instead of opening my VM. Clicked black arrow like I normally would. Very polite message pops up saying that I actually want the move tool. Well, where is it?? Oh, it’s the one that has four arrows… going in different directions… like for moving. :person_shrugging: :woman_facepalming: Sure, it makes sense, but only AFTER I know what I’m looking for.

I couldn’t figure out how to paste text in Scribus. :distorted_face:

I have a very small bit of experience with Inkscape. I was creating fonts last year and getting an error message when I tried to import my Illustrator SVG files into FontForge, and I kid you not, Illustrator basically gave me an “lol, that file is so borked” message about the file it had just exported. :face_with_raised_eyebrow: So I can fumble my way through with Inkscape a bit, but there’s a lot of cussing involved.

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I would suggest practice and maybe watch some youtube videos, it can be hard to break habits but with practice it will become second nature like those other programs where.

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You’ve touched on one of the harder truths of Linux @anarkitty. My qualifications and career were heavily Macromedia and Adobe centric, so I’m well aware of where things fall short under Linux.

With respect to Krita or Gimp, it probably depends what you need. Gimp is more full featured and closer to being a Photoshop equivalent. Krita is perhaps the nicer looking program, but it’s simpler and focused more towards digital art.

I know what you mean about finding deselect :sweat_smile: I’ve been using Gimp for years and I still find myself reaching intuitively for the Adobe shortcuts.

The Inkskape SVG is non-standard. You’ll need to make sure you export your work as a standard SVG before using it in other applications or online or they’ll kick up a fuss, as you’ve noted.

As mentioned already, practice is probably the only thing for it. I’d suggest really trying to get comfortable with the native interfaces, and not resorting to 3rd party Adobe’fying addons.

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I actually was not aware that such things exist, but no, my goal is to run away from Adobe and MSFT completely as fast as I can.

Right now, I’m just trying to figure out where to start, e.g., is there a particular site or video channel that’s really good OR just start watching random videos. I prefer a systematic approach to learning, but I’m preparing for the latter.

For the past 10 years, I was (mostly) content with my Mint system and running Adobe in my Windows VM. But I freakin’ love Endeavour–I’ve never gushed over an OS before :grin: –so I’m finding that I hate having to use Windows at all. And then there’s the absolute loathing I have for those companies and the things they’re doing, every year a little worse. :unamused_face: I’m not technically supporting them since I’m using 10 year-old software, but still.

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Just remembered: If I can’t find anything else, I did find this guy recently. He has paid video courses for Gimp and Inkscape at least. I need to watch some more of his free content; I’ve only watched one so far, but it was good, and the courses are reasonably priced.

Thanks to you both, and anyone else who chimes in. :smiling_face:

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