How to Install LightZone on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Lightzone is a free and open-source photo editing software that provides users with comprehensive tools to enhance their images. It is available for various operating systems, including Ubuntu, and is well-suited for amateur and professional photographers.

Features of LightZone include the following:

• Intuitive User Interface: Lightzone’s interface is designed to be simple and intuitive, making it easy for users of all levels to start the software quickly.
• Non-Destructive Editing: All of the edits you make in Lightzone are non-destructive, meaning that your original images remain intact. This makes it easy to undo changes or to make different edits to your images at a later time.
• Comprehensive Toolset: Lightzone includes a range of powerful tools for editing your images, including tools for adjusting exposure, color balance, and sharpness, as well as for removing noise and correcting distortion.
• Advanced Selection Tools: With Lightzone’s advanced selection tools, you can easily select specific areas of your images for editing, making it easy to perform precise adjustments.
• Image Comparison: Lightzone’s image comparison feature allows you to compare different versions of your images side by side, making it easy to see the impact of your edits.
• Batch Processing: With Lightzone’s batch processing capabilities, you can edit multiple images simultaneously, saving time and effort.
• RAW Support: Lightzone supports a wide range of RAW image formats, making it easy to edit your images in their native format.
• Third-Party Plugins: Lightzone supports a range of third-party plugins, giving you access to even more powerful editing tools and features.
• History and Versions: Lightzone keeps a history of all your edits, making it easy to go back and revisit previous versions of your images. This is particularly useful if you need to make changes to your images later or if you want to compare different edits to see which one looks best.
• Export and Sharing: Lightzone makes it easy to export your images in various formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and PNG. You can also share your images directly from the software, making sharing your work with others easy.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Lightzone is available for various operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it easy to use the software no matter what platform you’re working on.

In this guide, you’ll discover the steps to install or upgrade LightZone on Ubuntu 22.04 “Jammy Jellyfish” LTS or Ubuntu 20.04 “Focal Fossa” LTS using a Launchpad PPA repository recommended by the LightZone team. This method ensures you’ll always have access to the latest software version, which can be easily installed through the command line terminal.

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

Before you begin, update your Ubuntu to ensure all existing packages are up to date to avoid conflicts when installing LightZone.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Use the following command to install or check if the packages are installed.

sudo apt install ca-certificates apt-transport-https software-properties-common lsb-release -y

Step 3: Import LightZone PPA

Once your system has been updated, it’s time to import the LightZone Launchpad PPA. This repository contains the most recent version of LightZone that is compatible with Ubuntu.

Before adding GPG keys from the Launchpad PPA using the terminal, verifying if a key from the Ubuntu keyserver has already been imported is advisable. Failure to do so may result in difficulties during the import procedure, as the necessary directories may not have been created. To circumvent this, you can run a straightforward command to establish these directories, ensuring a seamless import process.

sudo gpg --list-keys

Example output:

gpg: directory '/root/.gnupg' created
gpg: keybox '/root/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
gpg: /root/.gnupg/trustdb.gpg: trustdb created

The next step involves importing the required GPG key.

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/lightzone.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 2DA92BDC746F2AA4B4D731A85AA486499A711C63

Example output:

gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/lightzone.gpg' created
gpg: key 5AA486499A711C63: public key "Launchpad PPA for LightZone" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

Having imported the GPG key, you can now add the repository to your system, which will be accessible on all supported versions of Ubuntu that the LightZone team has enabled in their PPA. This will grant you access to the latest version of LightZone that is compatible with your system.

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/lightzone.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/lightzone-team/lightzone/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/lightzone.list

Before continuing with the installation, it’s essential to run an APT update to confirm that the recently added LightZone Launchpad PPA is accurately reflected in the sources list file and the package cache is current. This can be achieved by executing the following command in the terminal.

sudo apt update

Step 4: Install LightZone

With the repository added to your system, it’s time to install the latest version of LightZone on your Ubuntu desktop. This can be done by executing the following command in the terminal.

sudo apt install lightzone

Step 5: Launch LightZone

Once the software is installed, you can launch it in two ways. One option is to use the following command in your terminal.

lightzone

However, this may not be the most convenient option for desktop users, so you can access LightZone through the following path on your desktop.

Activities > Show Applications > LightZone

Example:

Upon launching LightZone, you will be presented with the default landing screen. This is your starting point for using the application, and you may find it helpful to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the interface and customize it to suit your needs. Some tips for getting started with LightZone include experimenting with the tools and adjustments in the toolbar, exploring the different workspaces, and adjusting your preferences to suit your specific workflow.

Additionally, you may find it helpful to browse through the documentation or online tutorials to learn more about the various features and functions available in LightZone. With a little bit of exploration and experimentation, you should be able to get started with LightZone and begin creating beautiful and professional-looking photo edits in no time!

Example of LightZone installed on Ubuntu:

Additional Commands & Tips

Update LightZone

For desktop users who utilize the APT package manager, LightZone should automatically keep itself up to date along with your system packages. However, a simple command in the terminal can be used for those who prefer to check for updates manually.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Remove (Uninstall) LightZone

Uninstalling LightZone can be done effortlessly with the execution of a single command.

sudo apt remove lightzone

Next, remove the imported PPA if you have no desire to re-install the software.

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/lightzone.list

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing LightZone on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that allows users to enjoy a powerful and feature-rich photo editing tool on their Linux systems. Users can easily enhance their photo editing capabilities by following the necessary steps, including adding the required repositories and installing the software. Overall, LightZone offers a great alternative to other popular photo editing applications, providing advanced functionality for Ubuntu users.

Additional Resources and Tips

Below is a list of additional resources and links to help users deepen their understanding of LightZone and its capabilities.

• LightZone Wiki: Consult the LightZone Wiki hosted on GitHub for in-depth knowledge of the software and tips and tricks shared by the community.