How to Install RawTherapee on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

This guide will demonstrate how to install RawTherapee on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS Linux releases utilizing the command-line terminal and either APT Package Manager or the third-party package manager, Flatpak with Flathub, for an alternative installation.

RawTherapee stands out as a powerful open-source image processing software, designed for refining digital photos. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for high-quality photo editing, catering to photographers and image editing enthusiasts alike. Unlike standard photo editing software, RawTherapee specializes in non-destructive editing, ensuring the original image files remain untouched. Its key features include advanced color handling, enhanced exposure and tonality tools, multiple denoising methods, and batch processing capabilities. RawTherapee supports a wide range of raw file formats, making it a versatile choice for photographers working with different camera brands and models.

Key Highlights of RawTherapee:

• Non-destructive editing: Your original files are always safe.
• Advanced color handling: Offers precise control over colors.
• Enhanced exposure and tonality tools: Fine-tune your images with ease.
• Multiple denoising methods: Keep your images crisp and clear.
• Batch processing capabilities: Efficiently process multiple files.
• Wide raw file format support: Compatible with numerous camera brands.
• Customizable interface: Tailor the workspace to your needs.
• Free and open-source: No cost to use and continuously improved by the community.

Transitioning from the technical prowess of RawTherapee to the practical steps of installation, let’s dive into the specifics of getting RawTherapee up and running on your Ubuntu system.

Install RawTherapee on Ubuntu via APT

Update Your Ubuntu System Before RawTherapee Installation

To create a stable and conflict-free environment for your new software, it’s crucial to ensure your Ubuntu operating system is up-to-date. This is achieved by running the apt update command, which ensures your local package index is synchronized with the latest changes in the repositories.

sudo apt update

In addition to this, the apt upgrade command is also recommended. This command effectively installs the newest versions of your system’s software, ensuring it is fully updated. It is recommended to run both of these commands together, as shown below:

sudo apt upgrade

Running this, you’re priming your Ubuntu system to accept the new installation without any hitches, paving the way for a smooth installation of RawTherapee.

Install RawTherapee on Ubuntu APT Command

RawTherapee can be installed on Ubuntu using different methods, including the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) via the terminal. This command-line tool allows us to interact with Ubuntu’s package management system. It simplifies the process of managing software on Unix-like computer systems.

Let’s go ahead and install RawTherapee using the apt install command as shown:

sudo apt install rawtherapee

Once you run this command, the terminal will interact with the repositories, fetch the RawTherapee software package, and install it onto your Ubuntu system.

Install RawTherapee on Ubuntu via Flatpak and Flathub

Flatpak is an open-source technology that provides a sandbox environment where users can run applications in isolation from the rest of the system. This installation method is becoming increasingly popular due to its security, compatibility, and ease of distribution benefits. It allows applications to run on any Linux distribution that supports Flatpak without any modifications to the application code.

Note: If your system doesn’t have Flatpak installed, you can refer to our comprehensive guide on How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu for detailed instructions on how to install the most recent supported version of Flatpak.

Enabling Flathub for RawThereapee

Before we can install RawTherapee through Flatpak, we must first enable Flathub. Flathub is a third-party application store, essentially a repository of Flatpak applications. The wide variety of applications available on Flathub makes it an invaluable resource for users seeking to leverage the benefits of Flatpak installations.

To enable Flathub, we need to add it to our Flatpak configuration. This is achieved by executing the following command in the terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command checks if Flathub is already configured in your Flatpak setup (hence the --if-not-exists part). If not, it adds Flathub as a remote source of Flatpak applications.

Step 2: Install RawTherapee on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command

Once Flathub is enabled and your system is ready to fetch applications from it, you can install RawTherapee on Ubuntu. This is achieved by using the flatpak install command. This command fetches the RawTherapee application from the Flathub repository and installs it on your system. Run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub com.rawtherapee.RawTherapee -y

With this command, you’re not just installing the RawTherapee application but also obtaining the latest version of the application that’s available on Flathub. Flatpak takes care of all the application’s dependencies, giving you a smooth installation experience.

Launching RawTherapee on Ubuntu via CLI Commands or GUI Path

Now that we’ve successfully installed RawTherapee on your Ubuntu system let’s launch the application. This can be achieved via two different methods, based on whether you installed the application using APT or Flatpak. Both methods are straightforward and will get RawTherapee up and running quickly.

Launching RawTherapee from the Terminal

If you installed RawTherapee using the APT method, you could launch the application by typing the following command in your terminal:

rawtherapee

For those who installed RawTherapee using Flatpak, the command differs slightly. The flatpak run command is used to launch applications that have been installed via Flatpak. The following command should be used to open RawTherapee:

flatpak run com.rawtherapee.RawTherapee

Launching RawTherapee from the Ubuntu Desktop

RawTherapee can be launched directly from your Ubuntu desktop environment for those who prefer a more visual approach. This doesn’t require any command line instructions. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on “Activities” at the top left corner of your screen.
2. Choose “Show Applications” at the bottom of the sidebar that appears.
3. Scroll through your installed applications or use the search function to find “RawTherapee“.
4. Click on the RawTherapee icon to launch the application.

First-Time Tips with RawTherapee on Ubuntu

Now that you’ve successfully installed RawTherapee on your Ubuntu system, it’s time to explore some essential tips to help you get started with this powerful image editing software. These tips are tailored specifically for Linux users and aim to enhance your editing workflow, customize your experience, and leverage RawTherapee’s full potential.

General RawTherapee Tips for Getting Started

• Explore the Preferences: Before diving into editing, take a moment to navigate through Preferences. This is where you can adjust settings to match your workflow, such as theme, language, and more. It’s crucial for setting up RawTherapee in a way that suits your needs.
• Understand the File Browser: Familiarize yourself with the File Browser tab. It’s your gateway to organizing and accessing your photos. Learning how to efficiently use the File Browser will streamline your editing process.
• Utilize the Queue: The Queue tab is a powerful feature for batch processing images. You can apply adjustments to multiple photos, saving time and ensuring consistency across your work.
• Check for Profiles: RawTherapee comes with a variety of processing profiles. These are great starting points for editing and can be modified to achieve the desired effect.

RawTherapee Customization Tips

• Tailor the Interface: You can customize the interface layout by dragging and resizing panels. This allows you to create a workspace that is comfortable and efficient for your editing style.
• Dynamic Profiles: Learn how to create and use dynamic profiles. These are settings that automatically adjust based on the image you’re working on, such as ISO or camera model, optimizing your workflow.
• Keyboard Shortcuts Customization: RawTherapee allows you to customize keyboard shortcuts. Tailoring these can significantly speed up your editing process. Find this option under Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.
• Color Management: Make sure to set up your color management profiles in the Color Management section of the Preferences. This ensures that the colors in your photos are accurately represented on your monitor and in your final output.

Keyboard Shortcuts with RawTherapee

• Quick Zoom: Use the z key to zoom in and out quickly. This is handy for checking details or the overall look of an image.
• Before/After View: Pressing the y key toggles the before/after view, allowing you to compare the edited image with the original.
• Copy/Paste Processing Profiles: Use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to copy and paste processing profiles between images. This is a great time-saver for applying similar edits to multiple photos.
• Switch Between Tabs: Use Ctrl+Tab to switch between the Editor, File Browser, and Queue tabs efficiently.

RawTherapee Workflow Optimization Tips

• Leverage the Rating System: Use the rating system in the File Browser to organize your images. This can help you prioritize which photos to edit first.
• Batch Edit with Profiles: Apply a processing profile to multiple images at once by selecting them in the File Browser and then applying the profile. This is perfect for photos taken under similar conditions.
• Use Snapshots: Snapshots allow you to save different states of your editing process. This feature is invaluable for comparing different edits or undoing changes without starting over.
• Learn the Ins and Outs of the Detail Tab: Spend some time getting to know the tools in the Detail tab. Sharpening, noise reduction, and micro-contrast adjustments can make a significant difference in your final image.

Incorporating these tips into your RawTherapee workflow on Ubuntu, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this comprehensive photo editing tool. Remember, practice and experimentation are key to unlocking the full potential of RawTherapee.

Managing RawTherapee on Ubuntu

It’s not just about installing software like RawTherapee; you also need to know how to maintain it, such as performing updates and, when necessary, uninstalling it from your Ubuntu Linux system. Let’s explore these actions and the respective commands that facilitate them.

Update RawTherapee

Once you have RawTherapee installed, keeping it up-to-date ensures access to the latest features and bug fixes. How you update RawTherapee depends on your installation method.

APT Update Command Method for RawTherapee

If you installed RawTherapee using the APT package manager, you can update it along with your other system packages using the following terminal command:

sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade

This command will first update your system’s repository index to ensure it references the latest versions of all packages. The second part of the command upgrades your installed packages, including RawTherapee, to their newest versions.

Flatpak Update Command Method for RawTherapee

If RawTherapee was installed using Flatpak, you can update it by running the following command in your terminal:

flatpak update

This command checks your Flatpak repositories for updates and applies them. It covers all your Flatpak applications, including RawTherapee.

Remove RawTherapee

There may come a time when you no longer need RawTherapee on your system. In such a case, you can uninstall it. Again, the exact method depends on how you installed the software initially.

APT Remove Command Method for RawTherapee

If you’ve installed RawTherapee using the APT package manager, you can remove it with the following command:

sudo apt remove rawtherapee

This command uninstalls RawTherapee and removes any unused dependencies installed with it.

Flatpak Remove Command Method for RawTherapee

For those who have installed RawTherapee through Flatpak, the uninstallation command is as follows:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data com.rawtherapee.RawTherapee -y

This command uninstalls RawTherapee and also deletes all data associated with the application.

In both cases, the -y flag is used to automatically answer yes to all prompts, thus allowing the operations to run without manual intervention.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked through the steps to install RawTherapee on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 LTS, diving into both APT and Flatpak methods to set you up. We’ve also shared some first-time tips to kickstart your journey with this powerful image editing tool, from customization to workflow optimization. Remember, the key to mastering RawTherapee lies in exploring its features and practicing your skills. Whether you’re tweaking preferences to match your workflow or mastering keyboard shortcuts, each step enhances your editing prowess. So, dive in, experiment with the settings, and let your creativity flow with RawTherapee on Ubuntu. Happy editing!