In the next article we are going to take a look at AzPainter. This is a full color painting software with which we can draw illustrations on different Gnu / Linux distributions. This is a lightweight tool with pressure support for tablets. It also offers users basic functions such as the selection option, layers, filters, etc.
AzPainter is a 16-bit color painting software to draw illustrations. It is an extremely lightweight program that opens instantly and shows little to no lag with your mouse or tablet.
General characteristics of Azpainter
In this painting software, users are going to find features such as the following:
- The GUI is built with xlib, which it's get the program to start in a moment. When you start the program you will see little or no lag with your mouse or tablet (except when working with large files).
- Se regulates the pressure using XInput2.
- Color is handled with 16-bit colors, thereby increasing color accuracy by consuming memory accordingly. The type of color can be changed for each layer.
- The layers have useful features like 'folders' and 'alpha masks'.
- The keyboard shortcuts are customizable from the option Settings → Set keyboard shortcuts.
- The brush can be finely customized. We will can make use of built-in brushes and those created by the community, listed in the wiki page «Brushes». In that wiki we will find information on how we can use these brushes. AzPainter supports the copy code of the selected brush directly to the system clipboard, as a plain text string.
- Users can consult the page wiki «Themes». On this page, users can obtain information on how to customize the interface colors.
- Most options for a tool are found in the Tool window, in the last two rows. Some tools, such as the brush options, extend to the Control window as well.
- Most of the available color options are found in the Control window.
- We will be able to edit images using different filters available.
- The program will also allow us draw Japanese text vertically.
- Supports the read APD (v1-v3) / ADW / PSD / BMP / PNG / JPEG / GIF, and the APD (v3) / PSD / BMP / PNG / JPEG writing.
These are some of the features that AzPainter offers. If you want consult them all in detail, can direct you to the project website (it's in japanese).
Install AzPainter on Ubuntu
Users, we will be able to install the latest AzPainter packages in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Ubuntu 20.04 and their derivatives through the corresponding PPA. To begin with what we will do is add said PPA, so we will have to open the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and execute the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alex-p/azpainter
The next thing we need is going to be update cache of available software packages. When the update is finished, we can install this program running the following commands in the same terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install azpainter
Once the installation is finished, we can start this painting software from the system applications menu. You just have to look for the program launcher on our computer:
We can also use the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) to launch the program on our computer. This is as simple as typing the command:
azpainter
Uninstall AzPainter
If you would like to remove the PPA of your team, you can open Software and updates, and in the Other software tab uninstall it. We can also choose to open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and execute the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:alex-p/azpainter
Now we can proceed to the removal of the AzPainter program. It will only be necessary to execute in the same terminal:
sudo apt remove --autoremove azpainter
If you would like to learn to use AzPainter, all users can take a look at the page wiki «Tutorials». In it we will be able to find different tutorials and video tutorials.