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foss_graphics.md

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FOSS Graphics

  • All programs are cross-platform.

3D Programs

Blender

  • For 3D assets.
  • Version 2.79 is perfect for game assets, while 2.8 is a huge overhaul primarily aimed at animators (with big plans for game assets too).
  • Version 2.79 is recommended until the official release of 2.8 but beginning animators may prefer to start with 2.8
  • Can also be used to bake normalmap textures and procedural textures (though the workflow is not straight-forward due to Blender's high number of features; these things will improve in the future).

Wings3D

  • Simpler 3D option which is often loved by beginners.
  • Designed for modeling with subdivision, the key missing feature is animation support.
  • Best used for exporting static Wavefront OBJ meshes (when working with Godot).

2D Programs

GIMP

  • Good procedural texture rendering (Filters) in 2.8
  • Great procedural texture rendering in 2.10
  • Great all-around 2D editor for raster graphics (pixel graphics).
  • Graphics tablet configuration can be difficult (I like to disable autosave input config, and manually save the pen config, plus let mouse and pen use same brush options).
  • Many plugin options, including heightmap->normalmap conversion and G'MIC.
  • Can export animated GIFs but has zero animation support (feel free to try out the GIMP Animation Package which I had no luck with).

Inkscape

  • Standard vector graphics software, base standard for SVG (Scalar Vector Graphics) images.
  • Vector uses shapes and numbers to define images, which web browsers and other applications use to render the image every time.
  • The image (SVG) is the source file.
  • Anti-aliasing is a document property, and affects rendering. This applies to exporting and the SVG itself because the property is saved within the SVG XML.

MyPaint

  • Great for concept art, or drawing your ideas.
  • Great brush engine for graphics tablets.
  • Expanding canvas is not limited by preset canvas size.
  • Fullscreen mode automatically hides the UI giving a fullscreen canvas. Let the ideas flow.
  • MyPaint library lets other programs use the brush engine (as seen in GIMP 2.10). The expanding canvas still makes MyPaint a must-have.

Krita

  • Critically acclaimed brush engine works great with mouse or graphics tablet.
  • Full tablet support.
  • Vector and raster graphics support.
  • 2D animation editing included.
  • Unique tool interactions (such as with the Bezier tool) intended for creative artists.
  • Procedural texture generation available through G'MIC. heightmap->normalmap conversion included with Krita.
  • Relatively high system requirements (Qt) may push some users to a GIMP and Inkscape toolkit.

Other

Pencil2D

  • Mostly unrelated to game asset design, but it's a fun and simple 2D animator.
  • Includes audio track support.
  • Blender 2.8 is a more popular (and powerful) option. The Pencil2D devs don't intend to have the latest and greatest features, just Pencil2D features.

File Compression

Linux / Mac

  • Most formats are supported by default, or easily supported with an install from repository.

Windows

  • Just get Peazip. It does it all and more (such as Peazip-specific file formats).
  • Other odd features like "Secure file delete" are typically included with Peazip.
  • All the general utilities in one spot.