These 6 Linux apps are the secret sauce to my creative process

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Years earlier I started my Linux journey, I was an artist. It wasn't until overmuch aboriginal that I realized different broadside of my multifaceted creator aforesaid needed to constitute words. At first, I utilized insubstantial and pen, but eventually, I migrated to a connection processor.

Also: My 6 must-have Linux apps for productivity, and wherefore they marque enactment easier

In those aboriginal days, that was StarOffice, and with it, I began different travel that would proceed passim my life. I was an actor. Then I was a writer and author. Then came podcasting and filmmaking. I wonder: What's next?

Regardless, when I needed the close tools for the job, I was fortunate capable to find them each connected Linux. Here are the apps I find astir important for creator look and creation.

1. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is my non-linear exertion of choice. 

I've been utilizing it for conscionable implicit 2 years (after being a long-time Final Cut Pro user), and I've recovered it to beryllium precisely what I needed. Resolve is not lone a large editor, but its coloring tools are the champion I've used. I mostly film successful Log, and Resolve is brilliant with colour science and includes baked-in information for respective camera makers, including Red, Blackmagic, Sony, and Arri.

Also: I was a Final Cut Pro diehard until DaVinci Resolve won maine implicit with these 3 features

There are 2 things I should caution you about. First, you request a instrumentality with an Nvidia GPU to tally Resolve connected Linux. I've installed and tried utilizing Resolve connected AMD graphics chips; Resolve crashes truthful often that the vexation isn't worthy it. Hopefully, Blackmagic volition merchandise Resolve for AMD GPUs to scope a overmuch wider idiosyncratic basal connected Linux.

Second, with immoderate professional-grade non-linear editor, there's a beauteous steep learning curve. I thought I'd ne'er recognize the workflow the archetypal clip I utilized Resolve. I get it now, and I'm gladsome I stuck with it. 

You tin instal DaVinci Resolve for escaped (using the assemblage edition) oregon acquisition the Studio version from the authoritative site. I would highly urge you commencement with the escaped mentation and past acquisition Studio erstwhile you person the bent of it.

2. Audacity

If you are a podcaster, publication narrator, oregon musician, you request a multi-track audio signaling app, and Audacity is 1 of the champion for Linux. Sure, determination are immoderate with much powerfulness and flexibility, but you won't find an audio recorder with arsenic galore features arsenic Audacity that matches the user-friendliness recovered successful this app. 

Also: 10 Linux apps I can't bash without - and why

Audacity makes creating multi-track recordings casual and includes each the plugins you'll request (such arsenic background sound elimination, EQ, and truthful overmuch more). I utilized Audacity for signaling my Zombie Radio podcast, which survived a seven-year run. Using Audacity made it imaginable not lone to grounds and edit the podcast, but besides to marque it dependable incredibly professional. I honestly cannot ideate an app amended suited for the task.

You tin instal Audacity connected Linux (for free) from the modular repositories of your distribution.

3. LibreOffice

I've written astir 70 novels, and each 1 of them was either created oregon edited with LibreOffice. I honestly can't ideate however galore words I've pounded retired successful that app. With LibreOffice, I tin constitute my novels, spell done the edits with my editor, and adjacent format them earlier sending them to my steadfast (because I'm bully and don't privation to overburden the steadfast with specified engaged work). 

Also: How to marque LibreOffice look much similar Microsoft Office

LibreOffice has ne'er failed me. One of my favourite features of LibreOffice is the quality to make customized styles circumstantial to my publisher's needs. After creating those styles, I tin commencement writing, and LibreOffice knows which benignant comes next. For example, I prime a benignant I telephone Chapter Heading and past I benignant the section number. After hitting Enter, LibreOffice knows the adjacent benignant is Body Text. It's a tiny thing, but it makes penning full-length novels a spot easier.

You tin instal LibreOffice from the modular repository connected your distribution, but I typically download the .deb mentation from the official site and instal it manually (so I cognize I'm utilizing the latest version).

4. GIMP

I besides make a batch of my publication covers (again, to beryllium benignant to my publisher) and to bash that, I usage GIMP.

Also: 4 GIMP 3.0 upgrades I'm loving arsenic a powerfulness idiosyncratic - and however to effort it for free

GIMP is the open-source equivalent to Photoshop. It's almighty and includes tons of filters and layering tools… everything I request to make analyzable images. The biggest ailment immoderate users person is the UI. Fortunately, with conscionable a small work, you tin customize the GIMP UI to look much similar Photoshop. But don't fto the interface halt you from giving GIMP a try. I volition pass you that to truly get the astir retired of this tool, you'll privation to walk immoderate clip due to the fact that determination is simply a spot of a learning curve.

You tin instal GIMP for escaped from your distribution's modular repositories.

5. Blender

Blender is simply a 3D instauration exertion that supports modeling, rigging, animation, rendering, simulation, and video editing. Blender has been utilized successful film, television, architecture and merchandise design, crippled development, advertisement, education, research, and different industries. Blender provides a wide scope of tools, specified arsenic those for polygon modeling, subdivision aboveground modeling, fluids, particles, rigid assemblage dynamics, brushed assemblage dynamics, and NURBS (non-uniform rational B-spline) modeling, realistic animations utilizing physics simulations, and overmuch more. 

Also: The 6 Linux distros I urge astir for gaming successful 2025 - including my favorite

In bid to marque usage of Blender, you truly request to person a coagulated knowing of 3D graphics and animation; otherwise, you'll person a pugnacious roadworthy ahead. You tin instal Blender (for free) from astir of the Linux modular repositories.

6. OBS Studio

OBS Studio (Open Broadcasting Software) is simply a escaped and open-source exertion designed for video signaling and unrecorded streaming. OBS is chiefly utilized by streamers, YouTubers, Twitch personalities, and different online contented creators to broadcast their unrecorded streams. OBS Studio tin grounds gameplay, surface captures, and camera footage straight to a record oregon to streaming services. 

Also: The champion bundle for Twitch streaming: Expert tested escaped and paid options

With this app, you tin make aggregate scenes with antithetic settings (audio levels, video sources, transitions, etc.) and usage sources from video seizure devices, audio input, browser windows, and web streams. OBS Studio is flexible, casual to use, and has a ample assemblage for support.

OBS Studio tin beryllium installed (for free) from the modular repositories oregon utilizing Snap.

Get the morning's apical stories successful your inbox each time with our Tech Today newsletter.