Photoshop CS5 on Ubuntu 10.04: A Beginner's Guide
Installing Photoshop CS5 on Ubuntu 10.04: A Guide
Recently, Ubuntu 10.04 was installed on an available partition. Prior experience with Linux was limited, consisting mainly of using a Knoppix Live CD in the past.
However, working with MakeUseOf frequently exposed me to compelling content geared towards Linux users, making Ubuntu a particularly appealing operating system.
The ease of installation, directly through Windows with a simple reboot, further solidified this decision.
The Photoshop Dilemma
A significant inconvenience arose from the absence of Photoshop. As both a photographer and a writer for MakeUseOf, the program is utilized on a daily basis.
Alternatives like The GIMP – or GIMPShop – have not proven satisfactory.
A Solution with WINE
Fortunately, the WINE compatibility layer, designed to run Windows applications on Linux, offers a viable solution.
It was discovered that WINE functions effectively with the newest version of Adobe’s image editing software!
This allows for seamless operation of Photoshop CS5 within the Ubuntu 10.04 environment.
Preparing Wine for Ubuntu
This guide details the installation process for the standalone version of Photoshop, specifically avoiding the full CS5 Master Collection. A valid Photoshop version is required, obtainable either through a trial download directly from Adobe or from a previously purchased license.
It’s important to note the existence of non-officially sanctioned, portable Photoshop versions compatible with Linux, though further discussion of these is outside the scope of this tutorial.
This installation procedure should function correctly on Ubuntu-based distributions. Users of Kubuntu or Xubuntu can proceed with the outlined steps without modification.
With your desired Photoshop copy at hand, navigate to the Ubuntu Software Centre. Perform a search for “wine”. The primary result, typically labeled “Wine Microsoft Windows Compatibility Layer”, is the component you need to install.
Following the Wine installation, you must acquire winetricks. The most straightforward method is through the Terminal. Launch a new Terminal window (located in Applications, Accessories) and input the following command:
wget http://www.kegel.com/wine/winetricks
Should the Terminal prompt you for a password, enter your user password – note that characters will not be displayed as you type – and press Enter. After the winetricks download completes, execute the following command to install it:
sh winetricks msxml6 gdiplus gecko vcrun2005
Finally, to ensure proper Photoshop functionality, certain core Microsoft fonts are necessary. Within the still-open Terminal window, execute this command:
sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts
The Terminal is no longer required; you may now close the window.
Photoshop Installation Guide
Prior to beginning the installation process, it is recommended to gain some familiarity with Wine. Navigate to the Applications menu, then select Wine. You will observe a virtual C: drive has been created for you.
Open this drive (Browse C: Drive) and locate the C:\Windows\System32 directory. Two specific DLL files – msvcr80.dll and atmlib.dll – must be placed within this folder.
Following this step, initiate the Photoshop executable installer. The installation will proceed similarly to how it would function on a native Windows operating system.
You may be prompted to designate the installation directory. A suitable location would be C:\Program Files\Photoshop.
Should you select the "Run Photoshop CS5" option at the installer's conclusion, the renowned image editing software from Adobe should launch successfully.
Creating a Desktop Launcher
To facilitate easy access, create a desktop shortcut, referred to as a "launcher" in Ubuntu. Right-click on the desktop and select Create Launcher.
In the command field, input the following: wine "<path>", ensuring the path to your Photoshop installation is enclosed in quotation marks.
For example: wine "C:\\Program Files\\Photoshop\\PhotoshopCS5.exe". Assign a descriptive name to the launcher, choose an appropriate icon, and utilize it for future Photoshop launches.
With these steps completed, you are now equipped to utilize Photoshop for photo editing and manipulation within the Linux environment.
Consider this a clever solution, wouldn't you agree?
Are you an Ubuntu user? What are your thoughts on The GIMP as an alternative to Photoshop? Would native Linux support for Photoshop be a significant improvement? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
