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 larsonstudio@gmail.com

Buy my wife’s book “Hummingbirds Facts and Folklore from the Americas”

Don’t run with scissors.