Open Source Software for Artists and Illustrators · Why should Artists consider using “Open...
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Open Source Software for Artists and Illustrators By Jim Larson, RA
Transcript of Open Source Software for Artists and Illustrators · Why should Artists consider using “Open...
Open Source Software
for Artists and Illustrators By
Jim Larson, RA
I am Jim Larson, RA
Bachelor Fine Arts in Architecture-
University of New Mexico
Licensed Architect
Illustrations by Jim Larson
What is “Open Source”
Software? Open Source software is software
licensed under a “General Public
License (GNU).
Software Under GNU is available to
anyone.
It is free and cannot be sold.
Who writes it and why?
Just as painters like to paint,
programmers like to program and
create great programs.
Some make money selling
customization of the program.
Some make money selling training.
For some companies it is a strategy to
undermine competitors or just create
“buzz” for their business.
Why should Artists consider
using “Open Source” software? Price (did I mention free).
Some Artists prefer not patronizing
and supporting “Corporations” and
prefer giving power to the people.
It can be as good or better than the
commercial equivalent.
No subscriptions and continuous
upgrade cycle.
Don’t confuse “Open Source”
Software with Pirated Software Pirated software is stolen software.
Open Source is a freely granted
license for the software.
It’s a lot like art; if you have your work
ripped off and used without your
permission you are mad, if you give it
to the World and get credited for it you
are happy.
Types of Software for Artists
Photo Editing (i.e. Adobe Photoshop)
Vector Graphics (i.e. Adobe Illustrator)
3-Dimensional Modeling (i.e. Maya)
Animation (Apple Final Cut)
Technical Drawing (i.e. Autocad)
Office Suites (i.e. Microsoft Office)
Photo Editing
Program: GIMP
◦ Available at www.gimp.org
◦ Equivalent: Adobe Photoshop
◦ Cost: $0.00
◦ Operating Systems: PC, MAC, Linux
◦ Note: Works almost identically to
Photoshop.
Screenshot of GIMP:
Program: Paint.Net
◦ Available at. www.Paint.Net.org
◦ Equivalent: Adobe Photoshop
◦ Cost: $0.00
◦ Operating Systems: PC, MAC, Linux
◦ Note: A simpler more user-friendly
equivalent to Photoshop.
Screenshot of Paint:
Vector Graphics:
Program: Inkscape
◦ Available At: http://www.inkscape.com
◦ Equivalent: Adobe Illustrator
◦ Cost: $0.00
◦ Operating Systems: PC, MAC, Linux
◦ Note: Easy to use.
Screenshot of Inkscape:
3-Dimensional Modeling:
Program: Google SketchUp
◦ Available At: www.SketchUp.com
◦ Equivalent: None
◦ Cost: $0.00 (Professional Version $195)
Operating Systems: PC, MAC
◦ Notes: Great for sketching out scenes and
casting shadows.
◦ Visit www.3DWarehouse.com for great
content.
Screen Shot SketchUp
SketchUp Demo:
Technical Drawing:
Program: Draftsight
◦ Available At: www.draftsight.com
◦ Equivalent: Autocad
◦ Cost: $0.00
◦ Operating Systems: PC, MAC, Linux
◦ Notes: Great for technical drawing.
Alternative: www.doublecad.com
Draftsight Screen Shot:
Animation
Program: Blender
Available at: http://www.blender.org
Equivalent: Maya
Cost: $0.00 Operating Systems: PC,
MAC
Notes: This program has a long
learning curve. Those who stick with it
get good results.
Blender Screen Shot
Office Suite:
Program: LibreOffice
◦ Available At: www.libreoffice.org
◦ Equivalent: MS Office
◦ Cost: $0.00
◦ Operating Systems: PC, MAC, Linux
◦ Notes: Very complete.
◦ Alternatives: Try OpenOffice at
www.OpenOffice.org
LibreOffice Screen Shots
Thank You!
Contact Jim Larson at [email protected]
Buy my wife’s book “Hummingbirds Facts and Folklore from the Americas”
Don’t run with scissors.
