Apps Online

Not only is it possible to find free software for most operating systems. It is also the case that there are apps that are exclusively online. You can create objects and images for your projects without the need to buy or download software. A great example of this is Sumo Paint. Sumo Paint is a Photo Shop look alike that allows you to create images straight from the browser. The great thing about this is you can rock up to a clients office get them to load the URL, start working on the job and then save it to your eyeOs account to then work on it back in your studio. You should check it out http://www.sumopaint.com/app/, if you know of others please let me know because I really love these tools.

Figuring It All Out

As this is the first time I have attempted running a cloud studio using old hardware, I have decided to document processes, successes and failures. To start I have begun developing some diagrams outlining the general idea in order to help me formulate the initial setup. What I want to do is have an old computer capable of basic graphics etc, using Ubuntu and associated software for graphic and illustration purposes. This box will be where I do the artwork. possibly scanning stuff in and cleaning it up. I will then use the cloud to store the clients work, saving an occasional hard copy on DVD as required. I then hope to contact the clients, convince them to use accounts I set up for them and get them to brief me via chat software available on the cloud or email. While I work they can update me on their feelings about the works progress. When its all finished I will upload the finished piece to the cloud invoicing and directing them to a pay-pal account for payment. It all sounds good and looks ok on paper but....I am running into some glitches early on. My first problem is getting Ubuntu to run on such a small hard drive. I have only got a couple of Gigs at the moment. I will be trying to source a cheap or free larger drive in order to get Ubuntu and company to run.



In an attempt to get a smaller OS but still maintain a Ubuntu distribution I have searched the Net hi and low. I have found a couple of options but none more exciting that Ubuntulite 0.8. It is a cut down version of Ubuntu with the capability of being expanded. I am hoping I can get the usual graphics software to run on it so I can go forth and illustrate. I found the iso at ( http://u-lite.org/content/get-u-lite) for those who are'nt technical enough to get it running. I will look around for others. But for the time being Ulite will suit my purposes.

Some of The Best Software Is Free

Cha ching, cha ching, I love to save money and open source software is by far, for the freeware illustrator, the best way to save and make money. In comparison to market driven " Industry Standard Software", free open source software can have as many features, give similar or better results and cost you nothing to boot. When I was a lecturer at university it was my duty to insure students used 'industry standard" packages, in order to help them slot in to the working world. But since leaving my position and re entering the art and design industry again. I have wondered exactly what is "industry standard" and why do universities insist on adhering to it. In the case of the university I lectured at, "industry standard" was the concept that the most current and used software available is the only software that should be taught to fledgling designers/artists. This in my opinion, is an odd notion and only serves the software companies not the art and design industries. It insures the sales of a select few programs and forces lecturers to promote programs when they should be teaching practical theory. This results in these companies products becoming falsly popular in the arts industry and in turn the "industry standard". That seems like a paradoxical cycle to me. It also means these software companies, don't have to spend money and effort developing better products. They have an established nurtured market that was created in the education system instead of in a cometitive marketplace. I think students need to challenge the software companies. They should be allowed to make the choice what software they use to do assignments. They should also be prepared to find out how to use all sorts of software. University lecturers can then be free to teach correct theory and arts practice as universities once did.

Better Free Software:

By now you will have read about Ubuntu and you now have your operating system. You have had play with the apps it loads and are keen to install some decent design software. The apps I favor for design might differ from yours as you start experimenting and attempt different effects etc. But for now I should point you toward some helpful open source design programs I think should be on your freeware illustrators computer. The first program is already loaded with the standard Ubuntu install. Its name is "Gimp". Although this is an unfortunate name, Gimp is a versatile photo editing and design tool, available in flavors for most operating systems. Likened to Photoshop an "industry standard" program , Gimp is also popular with designers who buy their software. There is a load of good tutorials around the web for Gimp. Youtube will be a good place to start.

The next software is Krita. Krita has some excellent painting style tools and I liken it to software like Painter or Fractal design Painter these are no longer available but in their day considered great programs. Krita is a painting software that emulates real brush strokes and paint effects. I love using it with a graphics tablet that I picked up on eBay for $25. To install Krita in Ubuntu start Ubuntu select Applications and select Ubuntu Software Center. In the search field type Krita, select the Krita icon at the top and choose install and put in your password. Once Krita has installed you can find it under Applications - Graphics. Help for Krita can be found on the Krita forum, click the image below. Oh, Windows and Mac users this software is also available for you. I am trying hard to find cross platform versions of all my software. So for those who want Krita for another OS click here

Finally I have to highly recommend Inkscape. Inkscape is by far the most versatile of drawing packages I use. Its features include an ability to trace line drawings and create vector graphics quickly and effectively. This is excellent for clean lines. I would be lost without the trace feature as it is really good for cleaning up hand drawn images I scan in for coloring and effects. There are a few more drawing packages I use but I will go into detail about these later. To install Inkscape use the same method as above. For those who want Inkscape for another OS click here

The Operating System

Windows and Mac Os' are not the only operating systems out there. For years now Linux has been the favorite O's for Nerds and Programmers. In fact these days most web servers use Redhat Linux as the Os for their client servers and Redhat Linux is a great free operating system. Though to a large degree you need to be comfortable with Linux scripts and other overly complicated processes to get things to work for you. But not any more, more recent developments in community based open source operating systems. Has lead to the development of Ubuntu.




Ubuntu is an operating system that works well on laptops, desktops and servers. Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to free illustration and 3D software, games and lots of other tools.

Ubuntu is free of charge. You don't pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing. I highly recommend it for the freeware illustrator. There is often small hurdles to overcome getting software to work correctly but as free Operating Systems go Ubuntu will provide the start up skin flint illustrator all the tools to do business in the graphics world. For my money ( which is none ) it stands out the winner. I have used it for 3 years now running it on 80% of my computers at home either in a virtual machine or a dedicated desktop system.