Best Linux Distros for VFX Software
Asked by
CreativeNomad42
Hey everyone! With Windows 10 reaching its end, I've decided to switch to Linux since my PC can't handle the upgrade to Windows 11. I'm working in the VFX field mainly as a 3D modeler, using software like Maya, Houdini, Mari, Unreal Engine, Nuke, and occasionally Zbrush, DaVinci Resolve, and Gaea/WorldMachine (Maya and Mari are for work; the others are more for hobby and portfolio). I'm aware that Adobe doesn't work well with Linux, which is fine because I'm trying to move away from Adobe products anyway.
From what I've gathered, most of the software I use is compatible with Linux apart from Zbrush, which needs something like Wine. However, I've received mixed opinions on which Linux distro is the best for VFX work. I've been considering Rocky Linux, Zorin OS, or Linux Mint. Can anyone in the FX industry or who has experience with these tools share which distro has worked best for them? Thanks!
Answers
I work with Houdini, Nuke, and Blender on Rocky Linux. I’ve tried both Fedora and Rocky 10, but I’m currently on version 9.6 since it runs smoothly for me. The choice of distro really comes down to how tech-savvy you are. Personally, I prefer to spend my time creating rather than troubleshooting, so Rocky Linux works out great. Just a tip, stick to version 9 since 10 has a few issues with Houdini.
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3DModeler101: Thanks for sharing! I’m more on the artist side too, so I’ll definitely consider sticking with version 9.