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Archives For November 30, 1999

MyPaint 2.0 Released with New Layer Mode, Linear Compositing

Last updated: February 17, 2020

MyPaint 2.0, free open-source raster graphics editor for digital painters, was finally released after more than a year of development.

MyPaint 2.0 is a new major release that features a new layer mode and uses linear compositing by default.

Linear compositing and spectral blending (pigment).
Full Python3 support
Layer views.
Brush strokes dependent on view rotation and view zoom.
Additional symmetry modes: vertical, vertical+horizontal, rotational, snowflake.
Expanded flood fill functionality: offset, feather, gap detection and more.
New brush settings: offsets, gridmap, additional smudge settings, posterize, pigment.
New brush inputs: barrel rotation, base radius, zoom level, gridmap x/y, direction 360, attack angle.

How to Install MyPaint 2.0 in Ubuntu:

So far, there’s only .appimage available in the Github releases page. Go to the following link, scroll down, and select download the ‘MyPaint-v2.0.0.AppImage‘ package.:

Download MyPaint [.Appimage]

Then right-click on the .appimage file, go to Properties -> Permissions, and finally make it executable by checking the box says ‘Allow executing file as program’.

Finally run the .appimage file from its context menu to launch MyPaint and enjoy!

In Howtos, News MyPaint

Blender 2.82 Released with UDIM, USD Support

Last updated: February 15, 2020

Blender 2.79

Blender 2.82 was released as the second update for the 2.80 series. The snap package has been updated for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

Blender 2.82 comes with over a thousand fixes and several important updates. Changes in the new release include:

New Mantaflow system allows to create mind-blowing fire and smoke simulations.
New FLIP solver to create lifelike liquids
Improved Cloth Simulations
The popular tiled-based UV mapping system is now fully integrated
Pixar’s USD export support.
Cycles supports AI-Accelerated Denoiser from OptiX, for NVIDIA RTX graphics cards.
AI denoising, Grease Pencil improvements, and much more!

How to Install Blender 2.82 in Ubuntu:

Blender offers official Snap packages (runs in sandbox) for Linux Desktop. If you’ve already installed the snap package, it will be updated automatically.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply search for and install it from Ubuntu Software:

Note there are 3 Blender packages in Ubuntu Software: blender snap, native .deb package, and blender-tpaw (abandoned).

Go check the package details, and install the one from Snap store.

For Ubuntu 16.04, first open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install snapd:

sudo apt install snapd

Then install the official Blender snap package via command:

sudo snap install blender --classic

Once installed, launch it from your system application launcher and enjoy!

In News blender

Vivaldi Browser 2.11 Released with Themes Update

Last updated: February 14, 2020

Vivaldi web browser 2.11 was released a few days ago. The new release features pop-out video improvements and themes update.

Vivaldi 2.11 brings pop-out video improvements. Now you can easily launch the separate, floating video window via a single click on a small video box icon displayed in the center of the video.

Other changes in the new release include:

The default browser theme will follow system’s Dark/Light mode.
Add F6/Shift+F6 focus handling. allows moving keyboard focus between a few UI elements and active pages.
Improved full-screen tab casting that adjusts to fit in the current window.
And various stability improvements and fixes.

Download / Install Vivaldi in Ubuntu:

The official Ubuntu .DEB packages are available for download at the link below:

Download Vivaldi (DEB)

Grab the deb matches your OS type, then install it via either Ubuntu Software or Gdebi package manager. Or run command in terminal:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/vivaldi-stable_2.11*.deb

You may also add the official Vivaldi apt repository to your system, to be able to receive the browser package updates via Software Updater utility.

Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for terminal from application menu. When it opens, run following commands one by one:

1. Download and install the repository keyring:

wget -qO- https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -

Typer user password when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Add Vivaldi repository via command:

sudo add-apt-repository 'deb https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main'

3. Finally check updates and install the web browser via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install vivaldi-stable

Or upgrade from an old version via Software Updater utility.

(Optional): To remove Vivaldi apt repository from you system, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

In News Vivaldi

Ubuntu 18.04.4 Released with Kernel 5.3 [How-to Install]

Last updated: February 13, 2020

Ubuntu 18.04

The fourth point release Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS was released. Here’s how to install the new Linux Kernel 5.3 and Xorg in your current Ubuntu 18.04 machine.

Ubuntu 18.04.4 comes with an updated “hardware enablement stack” (HWE) from Ubuntu 19.10, including Kernel 5.3 that enables the latest hardware and peripherals available from IBM, Intel, and others.

It was announced last night:

The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the release of Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS (Long-Term Support) for its Desktop, Server, and Cloud products, as well as other flavours of Ubuntu with long-term support.

Like previous LTS series, 18.04.4 includes hardware enablement stacks for use on newer hardware. This support is offered on all architectures and is installed by default when using one of the desktop images.

Ubuntu Server defaults to installing the GA kernel; however you may select the HWE kernel from the installer bootloader.

…

How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04.4:

Besides downloading the ISO image, installing all available updates via Software Updater will bring you to the latest point release in the current Ubuntu 18.04 machine.

If you never installed the “hardware enablement stack” in your Ubuntu 18.04 machine, you may also do:

To install the 5.3 Kernel, you may need to run following command in terminal:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04

Or run command to install both new kernel and Xorg Server stack:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-18.04

Once installed, restart and enjoy!

How to remove the new hardware enablement stack:

To remove the new v5.3 kernel, first reboot and choose previous kernel from Grub boot-loader > Advanced options. Then run command:

sudo apt remove linux-image-unsigned-5.3*generic linux-image-5.3*generic

To remove the new Xorg packges, run command:

sudo apt remove xserver-xorg-*-hwe-18.04

And you DO HAVE to install back the old xorg packages via command:

sudo apt install xorg

In Howtos, News Ubuntu 18.04.4

Plasma 5.18 LTS Released! How to Install in KUbuntu 19.10

Last updated: February 12, 2020

KDE Plasma 5.16

KDE Plasma desktop 5.18 LTS was released a day ago. Now it’s available to install it in (K)Ubuntu 19.10 via PPA.

Plasma 5.18 is an LTS (Long Term Support) release that will be updated and maintained by KDE contributors for the next two years. It features:

New Emoji Selector (press Windows key + the peroid (.))
New Global Edit mode
Better support for GTK applications using client-side decorations.
Audio Volume System widget improvement.
Optional User Feedback settings (disabled by default).
Redesigned the Application Style settings.
Fractional scaling improvement on X11

How to Install Plasma 5.18 in (K)Ubuntu 19.10:

Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, do:

1. Add Kubuntu Backports PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Install Plasma 5.18 in Kubuntu 19.10:

Either install all system update via Update Manager, or run command in terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

3. For non-Kubuntu user:

Run command to install Plasma desktop:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install plasma-desktop

or install full KDE desktop environment via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

Uninstall:

You can purge the Kubuntu Backports PPA, which also downgrade Plasma desktop to the stock version (5.16.5) in Ubuntu 19.10 repository.

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

In Howtos, News KDE Plasma 5

Firefox 73 Released with Global Zoom Level Setting

Last updated: February 11, 2020

Mozilla Firefox 73.0 was released today. The new release features new global zoom level setting and High Contrast Mode improvement.

While per-site zoom is still available, Firefox 73.0 adds a new global default zoom level setting, which is available in about:preferences under ‘Language and Appearance’.

For user with low vision rely on Windows’ High Contrast Mode, without disabling background images websites in High Contrast Mode are now more readable.

Firefox 73.0 release highlights:

New global zoom level setting.
High Contrast Mode improvement.
Audio playback improvement
WebRender will roll out to laptops with Nvidia with drives newer than 432.00 and smaller than 1920X1200 screen resolution.
Various security fixes.

Download / Install Firefox in Ubuntu:

While Ubuntu 20.04 already contained the new Firefox package in the main repository, Firefox 73.0 will be available to upgrade via Software Updater utility in a few days for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 19.10. Check HERE.

Or you can install the Firefox 72 Snap package (runs in sandbox) simply from Ubuntu Software. It can be installed alongside the pre-installed Firefox, and will be automatically update to the latest.

Also Mozilla Firefox website offers non-install (extract and run the executable) tarball for all Linux desktop.

In News Firefox

OpenShot 2.5 Released with Hardware Encoding/Decoding Support

Last updated: February 15, 2020

OpenShot Video Editor

OpenShot video editor 2.5.0 was released a few days ago with exciting new features hardware acceleration support.

OpenShot 2.5.0 brings experimental support for hardware acceleration. You will see some new options available if you have a supported encoder/decoder. This can result in a huge performance improvement on some systems.

It has also completely rewritten the keyframe system to deliver real-time interpolated values, and no longer cache the entire value set.

Other changes in openshot 2.5.0 include:

Export and Import of EDL and XML.
Improved Thumbnail generation via a local HTTP server
Blender 2.8+ support
Ability to recover previous saves
many fixes and improvements to SVG support.
Improved preview window resizing in OpenShot
Disable metrics until opt-in
Export, built, and Cross-platform improvements.

How to Install OpenShot 2.5.0 in Ubuntu:

OpenShot has an official PPA repository that contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10 ~~though it’s not updated at the moment for the new release~~.

1.) You can add the PPA repository by running command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T), so to receive future software updates via Software Updater utility.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openshot.developers/ppa

2.) Then install the video editor via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install openshot-qt

Alternatively you may simply download the 64-bit .appimage file from OpenShot website:

OpenShot Downloads Page

Right-click on the .appimage and make it executable in the file ‘Properties > Permissions’. And finally run the .appimage to launch Openshot video editor 2.5.0.

In Howtos, News OpenShot Video Editor

RawTherapee 5.8 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 19.10

Last updated: February 5, 2020

RawTherapee

RawTherapee 5.8, cross-platform raw photo processing system, was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Linux Mint 19.x.

RawTherapee 5.8 release highlights:

New Capture Sharpening tool to automatically recover detail lost to lens blur.
CR3 support: image data is decoded, though metadata is not supported yet.
Improvements of various camera models
Speedups and optimizations to various tools
Better memory management and various bug fixes.

Download / Install RawTherapee 5.8 in Ubuntu:

The official Linux Appimage, single executable to launch the software (non-install), is available for download in the previous link.

For Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Linux Mint 19.x, you can also install RawTherapee 5.8 via this unofficial PPA.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for “Terminal” from application menu. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dhor/myway

Type user password (no asterisk feedback due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter to add the PPA.

2. After that, upgrade the software via Software Updater if a previous version was installed:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install RawTherapee:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install rawtherapee

How to Remove:

To uninstall the free raw developer, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove rawtherapee

And remove the PPA via Software & Updates utility under Other Software tab, by removing the line says “http://ppa.launchpad.net/dhor/myway/ubuntu”.

In Howtos, News RAW processor

CopyQ Clipboard Manager 3.10 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: February 3, 2020

CopyQ clipboard editor released version 3.10.0 a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10.

CopyQ is a free open-source clipboard editor with editing and scripting features. It monitors system clipboard and saves its content in customized tabs. Saved clipboard can be later copied and pasted directly into any application.

Changes in CopyQ 3.10.0 include:

Use environment variable COPYQ_DEFAULT_ICON=1 to show the original
application icon.
Avoid updating menu unnecessarily
Require at least Qt 5.5
Use non-native color and font dialogs which fixes showing these in Gnome/Gtk
Fix GUI with fractional scaling
Improve clipboard/selection synchronization
Avoid reading clipboard in parallel in the monitor process

How to Install Copyq 3.10.0 in Ubuntu:

The official PPA repository has made the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Linux Mint 18.x, 19.x.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) from application menu and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hluk/copyq

Type user password (no asterisk feedback due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then install CopyQ either via Synaptic package manager or by running commands in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install copyq

Once installed, start the clipboard manager from application menu and you’ll see the icon in system tray area.

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use Synaptic package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove copyq

To remove PPA repositories, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News clipboard manager, CopyQ

How to Install TLP (Battery Saving Tool) in Ubuntu

Last updated: April 24, 2024

TLP is a free and open-source tool aims to save laptop battery life for Linux laptops. It’s a feature-rich command line utility for saving battery power without the need to dig deeper into technical details

It comes with a default configuration already optimized for battery life, so you may just install and forget it. Nevertheless TLP is highly customizable to fulfill your specific requirements.

TLP features include:

Kernel laptop mode and dirty buffer timeouts
AMD/Intel CPU scaling driver operation mode
Processor frequency scaling and turbo boost
Intel CPU max/min P-state limits to control power dissipation
AMD/Intel CPU energy/performance policies (EPP) and dynamic boost
Intel GPU frequency limits
AMD GPU power management
Enable/disable integrated bluetooth, Wi-Fi and WWAN devices
And much more.

How to Install TLP in Ubuntu:

The software has an official PPA repository so far supports for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.10, and Ubuntu 24.04.

1.) Open terminal either from application launcher or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linrunner/tlp

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2.) If you already installed an old version, open Software Updater and upgrade the package.

This will also upgrade TLP from the beta release to the latest stable.

Or run command in terminal to install it for the first time:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install tlp

After installation, just leave it running silently in the background and you’re done.

For advanced users, you may edit the config file /etc/tlp.conf and change the settings according to your need:

sudo gedit /etc/tlp.conf

For Ubuntu 23.10, and Ubuntu 24.04, replace gedit with gnome-text-editor. For non-default desktop environments, use your own text editor, or use nano that works for all. For how to configure the file, see the official documentation.

Uninstall TLP:

You can run command in terminal to purge the PPA which also downgrade TLP to the stable version available in Ubuntu main repository:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:linrunner/tlp

To completely remove the TLP power management tool, run command:

sudo apt remove tlp tlp-rdw

In Howtos, News battery saving, TLP