LINUX FOR VFX AND CG PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS TUTORIALS IN INDIA

Chapter Descriptions 1. Introduction Linux has a rich history of development and deployment ranging from cell phones to supercomputers. It has worked it's way into high end computer graphics pipelines and is here to stay. 2. Installing Getting Linux installed can be one of the most daunting tasks for new users. Modern installers have made this process much easier to tackle which are leveraged by the distributions shown. Ubuntu and Fedora are covered with step by step installation instructions. 3. The Desktop Multiple high quality and production ready desktop environments are available for Linux. Get an overview of the most popular desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, XFCE) to make choosing one an easy decision. Tweaks and fixes for common stumbling blocks when using 3D applications are covered so users can hit the ground running. 4. The Shell The shell gives organized and streamlined power directly to the user in a way sure to bring a smile to any power user's face. There are no prerequisites and no programming skills needed to learn by going one step at a time. For the tough commands learn how to find help quickly or lookup previously used commands for reference. 5. Managing Software Tens of thousands of production proven software packages fulfilling all sorts of needs are available for free (plus they can update themselves to include the latest patches and fixes). With graphical tools or simple commands users can expand the capabilities of a workstation drastically in a few minutes. 6. Visual Effects Software Many visual effects software packages are available as native Linux applications and provide the same capabilities or greater than their Windows and OS X siblings. Step by step instructions are provided for installing Nuke, Houdini, RealFlow, Blender, The GIMP, AMD graphics drivers, and Nvidia graphics drivers. 7. Managing Resources Keeping things running smoothly is a breeze with the right tools. Monitor and control every available resource including memory and swap, processor cores, network traffic, and disk usage. Prepare for a worst case scenario with bit for bit backups that can be scheduled to run automatically. 8. Working With Others Linux workstations can work hand in hand with existing infrastructure and workstations by using industry standard protocols to interact. For users that really dig the "Linux way" there are tools that enable the application of that knowledge and workflow to other platforms, even Windows. 9. Closing Get an honest opinion of Linux from the author of the series, some tips about how to get involved with the Linux community at large, and resources to continue to expand knowledge of the subject.