Darktable is a free and open-source photography application program and raw developer. Rather than being a raster graphics editor like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, it comprises a subset of image editing operations specifically aimed at non-destructive raw image post-production. In addition to basic RAW conversion, Darktable is equipped with various tools for basic and advanced image editing. These include exposure correction, color management, white balance, image sharpening, noise reduction, perspective correction, and local retouching.
In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install Darktable on Fedora 37/36/35 Linux workstation using the command line terminal with CLI commands using two different methods of the default DNF repository or the natively installed third-party package manager Flatpak and utilizing the Flathub.
Table of Contents
Recommended Steps Before Installation
Before you continue, your system is advised to ensure all existing packages are up to date to avoid system conflicts.
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh -y#1st Method – Install Darktable – DNF Method
The first installation option is the DNF package manager, the easiest and quickest method.
Run the following command to install the software.
sudo dnf install darktable -yFor a more up-to-date version, I recommend the following method for users especially fond of using Flatpak.
#2nd Method – Install Darktable – Flatpak Method
The second option is to use the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak should already be pre-installed on your Fedora 36 desktop unless you have removed it. Flatpaks are often ahead if the maintainer is active; in this case, it is with the new 4.0 Darktable release featured on Flatpak.
First, install the Flatpak manager if it was removed previously.
sudo dnf install flatpak -yFor users installing Flatpak for the first time, it is often recommended to reboot your system. Failure to do this can occur with odd issues, such as wrong icon paths.
sudo rebootSKIP THE REBOOT IF FLATPAK IS INSTALLED.
Next, you need to enable Flatpack using the following command in your terminal.
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoNow install Darktable using the following flatpak command.
flatpak install flathub org.darktable.Darktable -yIf the above command does not work and you receive the “error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can’t fetch summary from disabled remote ‘flathub’‘ use the following command.
flatpak remote-modify --enable flathubLaunch Darktable on Fedora Linux
Launching can be done in a few ways now that you have the software installed.
First, in your terminal, type the following command to launch immediately.
darktableAlternatively, Flatpak users will need to launch using the command below from a terminal instance.
flatpak run org.darktable.DarktableHowever, this is not practical, and you would use the following path on your desktop.
Show Applications > Show Applications> Darktable.
Example:
Once open, you can begin to use image-editing software. For complete documentation on getting started with Darktable, I suggest first-time users visit the official Darktable resources page.
Example:
Update Darktable on Fedora Linux
Depending on the method of installation used, the following commands can be used to update. More than likely, you have desktop GUI auto-updates and notifications set up. I would advise newer users to run these commands to ensure their system updates correctly once in a while or full-time.
DNF Update Method
sudo dnf update --refreshFlatpak Update Method
flatpak updateRemove Darktable on Fedora Linux
Use one of the following commands to suit the original installation method for users who no longer require the application.
DNF Remove Method
sudo dnf autoremove darktable -yFlatpak Remove Method
flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.darktable.DarktableNext, run the following command for any leftover clean-up.
flatpak remove --unused