Linux and Post Production

[digital ed]

I have just configured one of my PC's to run Linux Ubuntu. I have Gimp and am installing some others. Currently Gimp will not open RAW or jpg files networked from my other PC's.

All suggestions will be welcome as what I should install or add to be doing RAW and PP on Linux.

Obviously I am new to Linux, being a Windows convert from Apple.

Ed

 

[Ned Fleming]

I have just configured one of my PC's to run Linux Ubuntu. I have
Gimp and am installing some others. Currently Gimp will not open
RAW or jpg files networked from my other PC's.

First, try this from a command line:

apt-get install ufraw

or you can use synaptic to install it. ufraw is a wrapper for dcraw (which actually reads the raw files) and it works as a plug-in to the Gimp. This may be all you'll need. See:

http://ufraw.sourceforge.net/

If the above didn't work, I suggest you configure Ubuntu to use the "universe" repositories. It will open Ubuntu to an addtional, large set of software. Read up on it here:

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper

If you decided to use the universe/multiverse repositories, try the "apt-get" command again.

If you want to buy a good commercial raw decoder, Bibble (bibblelabs.com) makes a good one that runs on Linux (or Windows). Highly recommended. It has a slightly dated interface, but it runs fast and once you get used to it, it's very easy to use. Beats Raw Shooter (free or premium) hands down (which runs only on Windows).

Ned

 

[digital ed]

Thank you for the information. I normally use Silkypix to develop raw and have been trying the new Adobe app. I will take a look to see if Silkypix will run on Linux.

Ed

 

[radsaq]

Ned Fleming wrote

First, try this from a command line:

apt-get install ufraw

At least in Debian (which Ubuntu is based on, so I assume it's the same), "ufraw" is the standalone version. Install "gimp-ufraw" for the GIMP plugin version.

--
radsaq
http://thesaq.com/pics/

 

[Bill_Turner]

to go here...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1004
You may get a better answer.

Editorially speaking, I've been a Windows user for more years than I can recall. Aside from a minor glitch with the upgrade to SP2, I have no problems.

GIMP probably has some potential but it's not, nor ever will pretend to be, Photoshop, or PSP, for that matter.

I don't really understand the "need" to avoid the Windows environment and go to the crippled and difficult to utilize "open source" environments.

I like to turn on my computer, click on what I need, and it's there. I have enough of a learning curve with PS, Lightroom, etc., and don't really need to have an OS learning curve.
Mac users have another perspective, I'm sure, and that's their choice.

--
Regards,
(afka Wile E. Coyote)
Bill
PSAA
Equipment in profile.
Eschew obfuscation.
The frumious Bandersnatch

 

[digital ed]

I had a spare PC sitting doing nothing. Was deciding to make it a server or learn Linux. Decided to learn Linux.

Do most of my photography PP on a XpPro PC mainly with Silkypix, PSCS2 and Qimage.

Ed

 

[Jay Turberville]

I don't really understand the "need" to avoid the Windows
environment and go to the crippled and difficult to utilize "open
source" environments.

One strong practical benefit I can come up with is the cost saving if you want to run a server with more than 10 clients accessing it. There are probably others. But I tend to agree with you. Windows XP is the fourth iteration of the NT operating system and it is pretty robust and capable.

I do, however, like the fact that Linux exists and helps to keep Microsoft from being too complacent. But as practical matter, I buy Windows as an OEM product when I build a computer and it just isn't that expensive really.

--
Jay Turberville
http://www.jayandwanda.com

 

[Michael Meissner]

to go here...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1004
You may get a better answer.

Editorially speaking, I've been a Windows user for more years than
I can recall. Aside from a minor glitch with the upgrade to SP2, I
have no problems.
GIMP probably has some potential but it's not, nor ever will
pretend to be, Photoshop, or PSP, for that matter.
I don't really understand the "need" to avoid the Windows
environment and go to the crippled and difficult to utilize "open
source" environments.
I like to turn on my computer, click on what I need, and it's
there. I have enough of a learning curve with PS, Lightroom, etc.,
and don't really need to have an OS learning curve.
Mac users have another perspective, I'm sure, and that's their choice.

Different strokes for different folks. I have been using UNIX/Bsd/Linux systems since 1978 or so, and I find it more natural.

 

[Michael Meissner]

I have just configured one of my PC's to run Linux Ubuntu. I have
Gimp and am installing some others. Currently Gimp will not open
RAW or jpg files networked from my other PC's.

All suggestions will be welcome as what I should install or add to
be doing RAW and PP on Linux.

Obviously I am new to Linux, being a Windows convert from Apple.

I see people have told you about UFRAW.

Another option is Bibble lite/pro now runs native under Linux, and it has a RAW converter and basic Noise Ninja as part of the package:
http://www.bibblelabs.com

Noise Ninja also works on Linux, though I've found I have to reduce the number of threads on my dual core machine, since there seems to be a timing bug, but it works well:
http://www.picturecode.com/

Codeweavers has a commercially supported version of Wine that allows you to run many Windows applications:
http://www.codeweavers.com/

I have run Neat Image (before I got the native Noise Ninja), and Qimage under it.

I also have VMware's vmplayer that I can run apps that don't run under the wine environment.

 

[Jay Turberville]

Different strokes for different folks. I have been using
UNIX/Bsd/Linux systems since 1978 or so, and I find it more natural.

Yes. If you are already comfortable with Unix, then Linux is probably a wonderful thing.

--
Jay Turberville
http://www.jayandwanda.com

 

[Lenzflair]

Linux is not ready for the masses yet. Unfortunatley I need some programs that only work on Windows otherwise I'd switch over completely. My router is Linux, my Home Theatre PC is Linux and my Tivo is Linux......

I used to think Bill G was evil, but he's redeaming himself by giving his $$ away to various charities...

to go here...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1004
You may get a better answer.

Editorially speaking, I've been a Windows user for more years than
I can recall. Aside from a minor glitch with the upgrade to SP2, I
have no problems.
GIMP probably has some potential but it's not, nor ever will
pretend to be, Photoshop, or PSP, for that matter.
I don't really understand the "need" to avoid the Windows
environment and go to the crippled and difficult to utilize "open
source" environments.
I like to turn on my computer, click on what I need, and it's
there. I have enough of a learning curve with PS, Lightroom, etc.,
and don't really need to have an OS learning curve.
Mac users have another perspective, I'm sure, and that's their choice.

--
Regards,
(afka Wile E. Coyote)
Bill
PSAA
Equipment in profile.
Eschew obfuscation.
The frumious Bandersnatch

--
'A picture is worth a thousand dollars'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenzflair/

 

[digital ed]

no text

 

[Louis_Dobson]

has a lot of virtues.

I use Windows and Linux - I actually prefer Linux, but there is always some critical app I have to run that needs Windows, right now Photoshop CS2.

I take it nobody knows of a Linux photo editor that supports layers and masks?
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acam
http://www.pbase.com/acam/

 

[johno135056]

has a lot of virtues.

I use Windows and Linux - I actually prefer Linux, but there is
always some critical app I have to run that needs Windows, right
now Photoshop CS2.

I prefer Linux too. I dabble with windows from time to time, but generally find it something of a pain in the neck to do things that way, and am not fussed with the claustrophobic feel of the window manager (only one desktop space, can't easily move and size windows etc). Then the applications I primarily use don't generally run as well under windows - but it is getting closer

On the other hand, for people used to the windows way of doing things, they are going to be fish out of water driving linux too. Then in many cases you are forced into a particular OS for the software you need.

I take it nobody knows of a Linux photo editor that supports layers
and masks?

Well, Gimp has layers and masks, and has had them for some time. Gimp is still mainly in missing high bit depth, colour management and adjustment layers though.

There is an emerging Linux application "Krita" http://www.koffice.org/krita/ that has those things that Gimp is missing - but last time I checked is still missing some other basic things that Gimp has.

Another Linux application of interest:is Hugin http://hugin.sourceforge.net/ for panorama stitching / image alignment and projection mapping.

 

[Louis_Dobson]

Didn't know gimp had masks and layers. Missing 32 bit (who cares?) or 16 bit (which is critical?)

Sorry to be lazy...
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acam
http://www.pbase.com/acam/

 

[Michael Meissner]

Didn't know gimp had masks and layers. Missing 32 bit (who cares?)
or 16 bit (which is critical?)

Unfortunately it is missing 16-bit support. The UFRAW plugin that does RAW support does its calculations in 16-bit, but it has to convert to 8 bit when the file is handed off to GIMP proper. There is a 16-bit of GIMP called Cinepaint that split off some time ago, and I don't know much about it. Color management is another feature GIMP has traditionally lacked, but it evidently is in the beta releases for the next version.

 

[Danny Yee]

It's Windows that's crippled! To get a Windows system with the same capabilities as any major Linux distribution, I'd a) need to spend days and days installing software from various sources and b) spend many 1000s of dollars.

Linux systems come with compilers or interpreters for scores of programming languages, photo editing software, panorama stitching software, web server software, office suites, etc. etc. etc. All managed and kept up to date by one (or a few) distributors or repository maintainers.

Trying to maintain a secure and up to date Windows system with the same functionality would be a total nightmare.

Danny.

I don't really understand the "need" to avoid the Windows
environment and go to the crippled and difficult to utilize "open
source" environments.

 

[Jay Turberville]

It's Windows that's crippled! To get a Windows system with the
same capabilities as any major Linux distribution, I'd a) need to
spend days and days installing software from various sources and b)
spend many 1000s of dollars.

This reminds me of those shopping cart store comparisons. You can prove either store better depending on what you put into your shopping cart.

I've gone down the road of considering using Linux as a server. But for my particular purposes it was definitely not the best or most cost effective choice.

Linux systems come with compilers or interpreters for scores of
programming languages, photo editing software, panorama stitching
software, web server software, office suites, etc. etc. etc. All
managed and kept up to date by one (or a few) distributors or
repository maintainers.

And, with the possible exception of compiler and interpreters, most of the software is not what is typically being used in professional environments and the software choices are much more severly limited. Improving and less expensive in many cases, but still much more limited.

Trying to maintain a secure and up to date Windows system with the
same functionality would be a total nightmare.

I've done it since the mid '90s and I have pleasant dreams. If it weren't for the platoons of jerks trying to vandalize Windows, the security issue would be almost non-existent. Let that group loose on Linux and the tables are turned. Some of the more famous hacks were Unix folks hacking Unix.

--
Jay Turberville
http://www.jayandwanda.com

 

[Hylander]

I prefer Linux too. I dabble with windows from time to time, but
generally find it something of a pain in the neck to do things that
way, and am not fussed with the claustrophobic feel of the window
manager (only one desktop space, can't easily move and size windows
etc). Then the applications I primarily use don't generally run as
well under windows - but it is getting closer

Just an FYI, there is a virtual desktop manager from Microsoft that allows you to have multiple desktops:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Look down at the virtual desktop manager. It allows you to have up to 4 desktops. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing it to Linux by any means - but I've used that Power Toy for quite awhile and it's not too bad for a Microsoft gimmick.

--
RacingHistorian.com

 

[Michael Meissner]

Didn't know gimp had masks and layers. Missing 32 bit (who cares?)
or 16 bit (which is critical?)

Unfortunately it is missing 16-bit support. The UFRAW plugin that
does RAW support does its calculations in 16-bit, but it has to
convert to 8 bit when the file is handed off to GIMP proper. There
is a 16-bit of GIMP called Cinepaint that split off some time ago,
and I don't know much about it. Color management is another
feature GIMP has traditionally lacked, but it evidently is in the
beta releases for the next version.

I was just checking in the cinepaint.org site, and they are claiming that the completely new version (Glasgow) will be released at the end of August. Now, googling shows that it was originally promised in December, but like a lot of software projects, the date was ummm ambious (as a manager who has had to struggle with dates, I can certainly understand about slipages). So it might be worth it to check back at the beginning of September to see what it looks like.