Linux Lab Build 25-26
Introduction
We have now upgraded the core linux version to RHEL 9.5 which is in line with the VFX Reference platform linux version. There are also new ways of working with python for anyone using it for teaching I will add videos and arrange a lecture for staff soon.
For the most part this will seem very familiar to the older version we have had before.
Default shell is now zsh
We have been using the bash shell forever as the default shell. It has not aged well and there are better more modern alternatives. To this end all users will default to zsh which is also the new default on Mac. I strongly recommend installing oh-my-zsh as it give lots of visual clues when working in the terminal. There is an installer in the AppsEre Tools to do this for you.
Note bash (and sh) are still there is you want to remain old school, you can request the default shell change if you like but having used zsh for many years would recommend giving it a go.
Python
Whilst the default system python is installed this is also quite limited and we will be using uv to manage all python installs (including Jupyter etc). This is a big topic so will be in a separate lecture / blog post.
Core Tools
On logging into the Linux machines you should now see a new tool launched automatically called Apps’Ere which is a launcher for most of the core tools.
It is split into the following categories.
Core DCC Tools
Maya
Current installed version of Maya is 2025, as well as the default Arnold Renderer it has plugins installed for
PyMel is also installed.
It is also possible to start Maya from the terminal by typing goMaya
Note we tend not to install the very latest version of maya in the labs as not all plugins are supported at the time of release of the new versions.
Houdini
Current installed version of Houdini is 20.5, we also have Renderman for Houdini installed.
You can run Houdini from the terminal using goHoudini, there is also a Houdini shell you can run as a separate process in Apps’Ere as well as following instructions here
Nuke
The current version of Nuke is 16.02 you can run it from the terminal using goNuke. Note this will default run NukeX
NukeStudio
The current version of Nuke Studio is 16.02 you can run it from the terminal using goNukeStudio
MudBox
The current version of MudBox is 2025 it is a digital sculpting program similar to ZBrush (which is not available on Linux).
It can be run in the terminal using goMudbox
MotionBuilder
The current version of Motion Builder is 2025 it is used to edit motion capture data.
It can be run from the terminal using goMotionbuilder
DavinciResolve
The current version of Davinci Resolve is 20. It is used for video editing, colour correction, (VFX), motion graphics, and audio post-production. It is similar to Premier pro which is not available for Linux.
You can run it in the terminal using goDavinci
Katana
The current installed version of Katana is 8.03 it has the Renderman for Katana plugins installed and the default renderer is set for Renderman. It is used for Lighting and Look Dev.
It can be run from the terminal using goKatana
Mari
The current version of Mari is 7.1v2. It is a 3D Pain tool. It has the Renderman for Mari plugins installed.
You can run it from the terminal use goMari.
Blender
The current version of blender installed is 4.4.3 we don’t use this in any teaching but it is installed here for personal use / experiments.
Please ensure you read any project briefs closely as some explicitly say you should use a particular DCC tool such as Maya or Houdini and not Blender.
You can run blender from the terminal by typing blender.
UnrealEditor
The current version of UrenalEditor is 5.6. You will be able to build both C++ and Blueprint apps, but will need to read the Quick Start guide here for more information.
You can run from the terminal using UnrealEditor
OpenRV
The current version of OpenRV is 3.0.0 it is an image and sequence viewer for VFX and animation artists. Developed by the Academy Software Foundation
You can use it from the terminal by typing rv
ImageTool (it)
The current version of it is 26.3 it is the core Renderman image viewer tool and is especially useful for viewing exr files and sequences. You can use it from the terminal by using it [filename]
Rawtherapee
The current version of Rawtherapee is 5.12 it is a powerful raw photo processing system.
You can run it from the terminal using goRawtherapee
Gimp3
Gimp (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a image editor for Linux. This is the latest version 3 of gimp.
It can be run from the terminal using gimp3
Gimp2
Gimp (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a image editor for Linux. This is the latest default RHEL 9.5 2.99 version.
It can be run from the terminal using gimp
Audacity
Audacity is a audio recording and editing tool. It can be run in the terminal using audacity
MetaShape
metashape is a tool for photogrammetry pipelines. It allows you to process digital images and generate 3D spatial data.
You can run it from the terminal using goMetashape
HoudiniShell
This will open up a terminal setting up the houdini shell allowing access to various tool packaged with houdini. There are instructions here to add your own tabs to the different terminals and to create desktop shortcuts.
Developer Tools
CLion
Clion is a C++ ide it can be run from the terminal using clion.
PyCharm
pycharm is a python ide it can be run from the terminal using pycharm
Warp
warp is a modern terminal that can be used instead of the default gnome terminal. If you sign up you can add the basic AI tools with limited prompts / requests per month https://www.warp.dev/pricing by default this is disabled and the University does not license this software.
QtCreator
Qt Creator is an ide for Qt Projects in C++ or Python. Both Qt 5.15.2 and Qt 6.8.3 are installed in /public/devel/25-25/Qt
You can run the ide in the terminal by using qtcreator
DesignStudio
Qt Design Studio is a tool / ide to aid the development of modern QML based applications in C++ or PySide. Note for pyside development you will need to install pyside. See Jon’s lecture notes / labs for more details.
Podman
Podman is a container tool for managing containers on the local machine. Note that images are stored on a partition on the local disk so do not transfer from machine to machine.
LMStudio
LMStudio allows you to run local LLM models on your computer. Note that these can get quite large and will be stored in your home directory.
Command line ollama tools are also installed on the build, you can start ollama using the command line
ollama serve &>/dev/null &
Then run models on the local machine, the gollama tool is also installed which allows you to convert ollama models to run on LMStudio.
Zeal
zeal is an offline documentation browser (as sometimes it’s quicker to RTFM than it is to process the AI slop that google serves you up). I have installed quite a few of the docsets we use. More can be requested from Jon.
Code
Visual Studio Code is a very useful editor there are full instructions on setting up things here you can use the code command in the terminal to open the editor. Note this is a RHEL installed version and will not get updated regularly. If you need the very latest versions, you should install it locally.
You can download the CLI version here extract is and add an alias in your .zshrc
VenvCleaner
This tool allows you to scan and find .venv files on your disk to help clean them. This was written as an exercise in “vibe” coding by Jon. you can read more here.
You can run this app in the terminal using venv_cleaner which will work as a simple cli tool. If you use the flag venv_cleaner –tui you will get the terminal user interface mode.
Foss DCC Tools
Allusion
Allusion is a tool built for artists, aimed to help you organize your Visual Library it can be run from the terminal using allusion.
DJV
DJV provides professional review software for VFX, animation, and film production. It can be run from the terminal using djv
Gaffer
gaffer is a free, open-source, node-based VFX application that enables look developers, lighters, and compositors to easily build, tweak, iterate, and render scenes. Core development on this project is by BU Alumni John Haddon
VLC
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It can be run from the terminal using vlc [filename]
Obs
Obs Studio is software for video recording and live streaming, it will allow you to record your desktop as well as capture camera / microphones is attached. This can be used to make recordings of your project if required.
Inkscapoe
Inkscape is a Vector image tool similar to Illustrator which is not available under Linux.
Krita
Krita is a professional FREE and open source painting program. It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone. It is a good alternative to photoshop under Linux.
MeshLab
Meshlab is a tool for processing and editing 3D triangular meshes. It provides a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering, texturing and converting meshes. It offers features for processing raw data produced by 3D digitization tools/devices and for preparing models for 3D printing.
MeshRoom
Meshroomis a free, open-source 3D Reconstruction Software based on the AliceVision framework. It allows node based workflow to re-construct meshes from 2D images.
MrViewer2
Mr Viewer is a Flipbook, Video and Audio Player
Natron
Natron is an open source Node-based compositing tool similar to Nuke. If you need to do simple comps on your own machine this is easy to use and setup and will seem quite familiar.
OpenToonz
OpenToonz is a 2D animation tool. Based on the software “Toonz”, developed by Digital Video S.p.A. in Italy, OpenToonz has been customized by Studio Ghibli, and used for the creation of its works for many years. Dwango has launched the OpenToonz project in cooperation with Digital Video and Studio Ghibli.
Pencil2D
Pencil2D is an easy, intuitive tool to make 2D hand-drawn animations.
PurRef
PurRef is a stand-alone program that keeps track of your images. It can be used to make mood-boards or just to gather references.
UltimakerCura
Ultimaker Cura 3D printing software
Web / Office
Firefox
Firefox is installed as part of the core RHEL build. Most things should work ok but sometimes Teams can be an issue and you may have to use chrome. You can sign in to firefox to copy you mozilla account across machines. This should also include all plugins.
Brave
Brave is installed as part of the core RHEL build this is the best to use for most things as ad block etc are installed as default.
Chrome
Chrome is installed as part of the core RHEL build, teams and Brightspace both work well with chrome, however it will not allow certain add blockers.
LibreOffice
Libreoffce is the core office suite for Linux. It will work with most MS Office type documents.
Writer
libreoffice –writer is equivalent to Word.
Calc
libreoffice –calc is a spreadsheet tool equivalent to excel
Draw
libreoffice –draw is a drawing / diagram tool equivalent to visio
Impress
libreoffice –impress is a presentation tool equivalent to PowerPoint.
PDF Viewer
evince is a document viewer Evince supports documents in: PDF, PS, EPS, XPS, DjVu, TIFF, DVI (with SyncTeX), and Comic Books archives (CBR, CBT, CBZ, CB7).
Obsidian
Obsidian is an offline markdown based note taking app.
Joplin
Joplin is an open source note-taking app based on Markdown.
Installers
Zed
Zed is a fast modern text editor. This needs to be installed into your home directory. This script will install it.
omz
oh-my-zsh is a set of extension to make the zsh even better. This is an installer script that only needs to be run once.
rustup
rustup is a simple tool to install rust into your local environment so you can start developing in rust. You may need to add .cargo/bin to your path and re-start the terminal.