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How to Install Krita on Linux Mint 21/20
Originally posted on by Joshua James
Krita is a powerful, open-source digital painting and illustration software that has become popular among artists, designers, and creators. It offers a rich feature set, including:
A wide array of brushes and brush engines
Layer management and non-destructive editing
Advanced drawing tools, like symmetry and perspective grids
Support for various file formats, including PSD
Customizable interface and workflow
Frequent updates and an active community
Linux Mint users may find Krita particularly appealing due to its seamless compatibility with the Linux environment and its commitment to open-source principles. Krita’s extensive capabilities and versatility make it an excellent alternative to other proprietary software options, like Adobe Photoshop. Moreover, Krita is cost-effective, as it is free to use and constantly updated by its community of developers. This makes it a great choice for those who want a professional-grade tool without the hefty price tag.
This guide will demonstrate how to install Krita on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20 distribution using the default APT repository or Flatpak with Flathub, which is automatically installed and enabled on Linux Mint-based distributions.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Install Krita on Linux Mint
Option 1: Install Krita with APT
Before installing Krita, it is essential to ensure your Linux Mint system is up-to-date to prevent potential issues during the installation process and maintain the best security practices. To do this, open your terminal and enter the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Krita is readily available in Linux Mint’s default repositories, making the installation process straightforward for users who need a stable version, even if it’s not the most recent release. To install Krita using APT, open your terminal and execute the following command:
sudo apt install krita krita-l10n -y
Option 2: Install Krita with Flatpak and Flathub
For those seeking an alternative approach to installing Krita on Linux Mint, consider using Flatpak, a flexible package management system with a sandboxed application environment, and Flathub, an online repository popular among Linux distros.
Integrating the Flathub Repository
Start the installation of Krita by opening your terminal and executing the following command to integrate the Flathub repository:
Step 3: Tips on Getting Started with Krita on Linux Mint
Once you have Krita installed on your Linux Mint system, it’s time to explore its features and get comfortable with the software. This section will review some general tips, customizations, and other useful information to help you start with Krita on Linux Mint.
General Tips
Keyboard shortcuts: Krita has a variety of keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. Familiarize yourself with these shortcuts to improve your efficiency. Some common shortcuts include:
B for Brush Tool
E for Eraser Tool
Ctrl+Z for Undo
Ctrl+Y for Redo
Spacebar for Panning
Ctrl+T for Transform Tool
Layers: Take advantage of Krita’s powerful layer management system. Layers allow you to separate different artwork elements, making editing and organizing your work easier.
Brush engines: Explore Krita’s various brush engines to find the perfect brush for your needs. You can customize brushes and create your own to achieve the desired effects.
Customizations
Workspace: Customize your workspace in Krita to match your preferences and workflow. You can rearrange dockers, create new ones, and save your workspace layouts for easy switching.
Color themes: Krita offers multiple color themes for its interface, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your taste. To change the color theme, navigate to Settings > Themes and select your preferred option.
Custom keyboard shortcuts: If you find that Krita’s default shortcuts don’t suit your needs, you can create your own custom shortcuts. To do this, go to Settings > Configure Krita > Keyboard Shortcuts, where you can assign new shortcuts to specific actions.
Other Tips
Save often: To avoid losing your work, make sure to save your progress frequently. Krita supports various file formats, including its native KRA format, which preserves layer and other project data.
Online resources: Take advantage of Krita’s extensive online resources, such as tutorials, forums, and documentation, to enhance your skills and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Plugins: Extend Krita’s functionality by exploring its selection of plugins. These can help improve your workflow, add new features, or even integrate Krita with other software.
By following these tips and customizing Krita to your preferences, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this powerful digital painting software on your Linux Mint system. Happy creating!
If you no longer require Krita on your Linux Mint system, follow the appropriate method below to remove the software based on your original installation method.
Removing Krita Installed via APT
To remove Krita installed using the APT repository, open your terminal and execute the following command:
sudo apt remove krita krita-l10n
Removing Krita Installed via Flatpak
If you installed Krita using the Flatpak method, you can remove it by running the following command in your terminal:
flatpak uninstall org.kde.krita
Conclusion
In summary, Krita is a powerful and versatile digital painting software that is compatible with Linux Mint. Following the installation methods discussed in this guide, you can easily set up Krita on your system and start creating stunning digital art. Whether you’re new to digital painting or an experienced artist, Krita offers a wide range of features and customization options to cater to your needs.
Additional Resources and Links
To help you get the most out of Krita on Linux Mint, here are some official resources and links:
Krita Official Website: Visit the Krita homepage to stay updated on the latest news, updates, and events related to the software.
Krita Documentation: Dive into the extensive Krita user manual to learn more about its features, tools, and techniques.
Krita Forums: Join the Krita forums to engage with the community, ask questions, and share your experiences.
Krita Tutorials: Access official Krita tutorials for step-by-step guidance on various aspects of the software, from beginner to advanced levels.
Krita Plugins: Discover and download Krita plugins to enhance the software’s functionality and features.
