Inkscape ( org) provides a user-friendly vector graphics editor for a variety of design situations from print media to websites and animations. The beauty of Linux is the abundance of choices and freedom to modify and adapt what doesn’t fit with your workflow. Ubuntu, another long-standing community favorite, may resonate with former Mac OS users, and KDE is making strides to provide a unique, modern desktop computing experience. Linux Mint ( com) is the most popular distribution according to DistroWatch, and is an excellent starting point for beginners. The massive, talented development communities behind the Linux kernel and its staggering variety of distributions (often called distros) collaborate to provide a highly secure, stable alternative to Windows and Mac OS that respects your privacy. Linux is a completely free and open-source computer operating system. Most everything we will cover is available on Windows and/or Mac OS, but more importantly, everything mentioned runs on Linux. If you are ready to try Linux, you’ll even save a bit by skipping the Windows license. Plus you’ll end up with higher-quality components and specs that are perfectly attuned to your needs. Computer: Building a PC from parts is easier than it sounds and is often cheaper than buying a pre-built system.Scanners are great for capturing textures and drawings for use in digital animations, and can even be repurposed for stop-motion animation. Scanner: There’s a good chance you already have a decent flatbed scanner built into your printer, so don’t worry about seeking out something better.If you don’t have the budget for it, pick up a set of shop lights or a handful of clip lights and the brightest daylight-balanced fluorescent or LED light bulbs you can find. Lighting is possibly the most important tool in your video production kit. Lights: If you have the budget for a professional light kit, by all means go for it.Tripods are critically important for video and an absolute necessity for stop-motion animation. Tripod: Invest in the best tripod you can afford without breaking the bank.Older models are often heavily discounted, and most Canon cameras can be given a bit of a performance boost with Magic Lantern ( fm), a free software add-on that runs from the SD/CF card and adds a host of new features that weren’t included from the factory. Interchangeable lenses also provide greater quality and control than most video cameras. These offer greater flexibility over video cameras, as they can be used for video, stop-motion animation, and still photography. Camera: Consider picking up a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera.Below is a list of the essential hardware to consider if you intend on doing any video production or stop-motion animation. While we will discuss entirely free software-based methods for making media, the truth is that media production will always have some cost associated with it. You are free to use FOSS whenever, wherever, and with whatever hardware you want. Furthermore, FOSS eliminates the licensing headaches associated with proprietary applications. Generally speaking, this means you end up with a much more secure software suite, even if it is a little rough around the edges. It differs from “freeware” in that the source code is openly shared with the community, often with encouragement for users to contribute to and improve upon the design. Anyone may use, copy, study, and modify it in any way. Perhaps more important than being free as in (root)beer, FOSS is free as in freedom. This shifts the media conversation away from corporate interests and puts the power to create in the hands of the people. Anyone of any age or background with any budget can make professional grade media using free and open source tools. With the astonishing growth of Linux and the explosion of quality free and open source software, the barrier to entry for media production has never been lower.
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