How do you migrate the graphic artists to open source apps and Linux?
May 27, 2008 by Clair Ching
Filed under General
If you have a small company with one graphic artist with his own tools, things might not be difficult in terms of resource allocation. But if you’re considering expansion… It’s another matter. You’d have to look at the software that they use. If a lot of your applicants are well-versed in the Adobe Creative Suite and Corel, you might have to spend a lot on software licenses.
Now that’s an issue with small companies who would like to invest in resources properly. If you’re on a tight budget, hiring another person is a major decision. And the tools for that new person another. One could opt to outsource the work, but sometimes if a company gets projects left and right, that’s probably why they hire people who are graphic artists or have the skill.
I’ve seen graphic artists struggle with Linux and the open source tools available. It’s the familiarity with the tools that give them a lot of headache and frustration.
So here are some of my ideas:
- Make a list of open source software that have potential use for their work. Example: Inkscape, GIMP and Krita.
- Have a training period.
- Apply the learning on projects even if it is difficult.
But I think that this list isn’t enough. I guess I need to hear more from you guys, I need to read your experiences on tools. If you’re one of the people who have experienced something similar, the better! Hope to hear from you soon! 
Open Source does NOT have replacements for the stable and full-featured proprietary software on the market: used by both graphic designers and web designers. In my everyday operation I use Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop and other software unavailable on the Linux platform. Though I use Linux, I am forced to boot to my Mac for work purposes.
There are no valid open-source solutions for what I need. None. Period.
I don’t believe the solution is to create open-source alternatives but to convince these proprietary vendors to port their software to the Linux platform. But this is easier said than done. Because there are numerous methods of installation and any one method will not work on every Linux PC. Linux desperately needs a one-install solution. Until it has one, vendors will consider Linux a waste of time.
Plus, Linux needs to show numbers that make a software port a profitable option.
Some will argue that the software I mentioned above will work through WINE or some virtual PC. I never understood the purpose of a virtual PC. If I need to boot into Windows, why not just boot into windows?
As for Wine… Wine is great if you plan on using really old software. Most GDs and WDs are not. They need the latest up-to-date software available.
I agree that there is no good replacement for graphics software on Linux. GIMP can do the job, Blender is excellent once you get used to it and there the list finishes. Yes, there is Maya for pro use as well. But vector graphics is a touchy spot because Inkscape might do the job but it just make designers accustomed to illustrator laugh. Flash is unavailable in any usable form.
Not so long ago, I did an experiment with three designers trying to make them work with the GIMP. They would quit after 15 minutes or so complaining that while maybe GIMP can do the job, they need to get used to its interface. Nothing was where they expected it to be and that can be very frustrating in the creative process. Then I’d give them GimpShop to try out (GimpShop is a variation of GIMP with interface changed to resemble Photoshop’s). You guess, they were in in after a couple of minutes. Not perfect but capable of working. I don’t know for which reason GimpShop is so hard to get and install.
@jay: Virtual machines have their use. I like to use them. If I need to do something in Flash, it is easier to get virtual machine hen to reboot. Rebooting cuts me off the rest of the world, I don’t have any of the apps I got used to and that works perfectly, I don’t have access to any of the files on ext3 file systems (which makes me to have to “bring” all needed files with me before rebooting – yes, I always forget something) and…. it is not a surprise that win is more stable and secure if you disable any access to the Internet. So my windows are without ‘net too which is not a working environment I prefer. With virtualization, I have my apps, my files and internet available, while those few apps I need are there n the window.
I’m a web designer/coder and almost full-time Linux user for the last 5+ years or so. I am a *HUGE* fan of GIMP and Inkscape and use them all the time on commercial freelance projects, but really, they often just don’t cut it when placed alongside Photoshop and Illustrator. Let’s not even get started on Flash! Unfortunately I still find myself dual-booting (QEmu is OK-ish, but still a bit slow for my liking), and short of Adobe suddenly deciding to port it’s apps to Linux, I think that’s the way it’s likely to remain for some time.
I use GIMP and Inkscape because I’m an Open Source fan and determined to use them, and you certainly can achieve a lot using them with a bit of knowhow. But that’s the problem – they don’t work the same as Photoshop and Illustrator, lacking many of the features that designers take for granted; layer effects, decent text layout tools, CMYK support for print design… I guess that’s actually pretty much my list, come to think of it! I dearly love these Open Source graphics tools and they have many great features, but I wouldn’t force another designer to use them because I know there’s just sometimes no getting around their limits, even when you understand and have plenty of experience in the ways they work differently.
I haven’t tried Krita, so thanks for the heads up, will give that a go. But I think libre graphics tools still have a lot of catching up to do before they will satisfy the needs of the most demanding designers. Which isn’t to say I won’t keep finding new and exciting ways to use them…
Thanks for the informative replies everyone! This is exactly why I had to ask this question. I have to hear it from people with experience using these tools.
@Jay Your observations sound quite negative. But I think that you are pointing out an important issue: “Linux needs to show numbers that make a software port a profitable option.” I guess that there really are some tools which have dilemmas like that and it’s something which needs to be addressed.
@dandellion and Dave S I wonder how else they could use the apps in the same way you did. How much time did you spend re-learning what you already were accustomed with in Adobe software?
@Clair: Ironically, learning to work around GIMP’s limitations (I’ve been using it since 1.2.0!) taught me plenty of new tricks for Photoshop!
GIMP has come on in leaps and bounds in that time, but so has Photoshop, and I must say, I really like Photoshop CS3. (Which I’ve recently started using in quite a lot of depth again, as I’m now teaching it to university students.)
So, to answer your question – from my perspective, it’s not so much time spent that is a problem, but more of a “battle of wits” mentality. You really have to want to use Open Source, and I think many designers are perfectly happy using what they already know. (Which makes sense on many levels, so I can’t say I blame them.)
Personally, I value each piece of software for it’s own merit. I still grab Inkscape (before that, I was using Sodipodi) for most of my vector graphics work, as I really like how it works and for many tasks it’s the perfect tool.
For websites and other graphics, I mostly use GIMP and Inkscape. For Flash work, I do my preparation in Photoshop and Illustrator, as it’s often just easier that way (and I have to be in Windows anyway for Flash).
There is no right answer yet, as far as I’m concerned… but that’s probably because what I want (native Linux versions of Adobe software) just doesn’t exist! :-S
Honestly, it was pain to switch from Photoshop to GIMP. Only thing that made me start messing with it is that rebooting for a simple job is more pain.
One more thing is important here. PS has some terrific functions. Liquify can make miracles. But it is not functions and filters that make it so great. It’s the UI. It just comes towards the user, if I can express it that way. There are several ways to achieve the same result in PS (and I am not thinking about shortcuts vs. menu items but more complex things). Which of those ways one will go is the matter of the way of thinking, habits, temperament even. But because of UI being organized that way, one can assume how to run for a desired aim. It is not learning how to do something, it is that once user got the feel of the tool it uses it and doesn’t think about it. Even things that one doesn’t know how to do will solve themselves. Sure, developing of such UI costs a lot of money and effort.
@Dave S I am glad to read your comments
You have the experience of teaching tools to other people aside from your personal experience of using the tools. Even if there’s the thing with perspective, the battle of wits, as you point out, I guess that if you are considering on migrating the people to certain software there’s really bound to be time spent on learning it anyway. This is especially if you’re going to implement certain policies in a company or home setting.
@Dandellion Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I actually agree that the UI is a factor in using tools. There’s really a lot of effort in studying and coming up with usable user interfaces. Which reminds me I should look for ways to help out open source and Linux developers in creating better UI especially if that means we could all get involved in one way or another. 
Now when you said it, can you share ways to communicate better with coders about UI, software graphics and docs part of the job?
I think this piece heads off in the right direction:
http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ch09_Interface_First.php
Interface should be designed first – before programming takes place. I think often part of the problem of Open Source Software in general is that the programming nearly always takes place before the interface is designed, because we geeks tend to focus on making software that “does stuff” and solves problems, rather than creating nice prototype user interfaces which don’t “do stuff”.
I think this is why quite often in the FLOSS world we end up with incredibly full-featured software that very few people can actually use properly, and why sometimes our user interfaces feel like a bit of an afterthought (because that’s what they are).
Obviously I’m generalising here and not all FLOSS is like that, but I think the vast majority of FLOSS which starts out as a problem solving idea in a geek’s head gets coded long before a user interface is even considered, whereas in the large commercial software world it’s not like that (to the best of my knowledge).
I don’t feel the pain of folks who have been trained and professionally using Photoshop and Illustrator trying to switch over to GIMP and Inkscape or trying to include them in the tool kit. I am starting off with GIMP and Inkscape and see the pro-ware as a future maybe. But it is hard being part of a younger user community, still developing user base, tips and tricks to share and that industry presents. The cool part about FOSS is that many are seeing that the extensive tools of the pro-ware is not required for every project. GIMP and Inkscape are adequate pixel pushers in their own right, especially as learning tools. First get your feet wet (bare feet are free!), then buy socks, shoes and boots as needed.