I'm an artist and writer planning to switch to Linux Mint from Windows 10. I use several programs like Clip Studio Paint, Paint Tool Sai, Realistic Paint Studio, Notion, Scrivener, and Rebelle for my work, but I noticed that most of them don't have Linux versions. I'm really eager to make the switch but I need a way to use all my essential software on Linux. Are there any good methods or tools to run these Windows applications on Linux?
3 Answers
If virtual machines sound daunting, you might try using Bottles, which is a compatibility tool that can help run Windows software in Linux. It's another route if you can't find suitable alternatives for the apps you love. Also, testing Linux Mint on a live USB is great for checking how your current workflow would adapt before fully switching.
Using tools like Wine for creative software can be hit or miss. While some users have had luck running certain apps by tweaking settings, it’s not guaranteed that everything will work smoothly. If you need all your programs functioning properly, you might want to consider a Windows VM instead. That's usually more reliable, but you'll need a decent computer to support it.
A lot of the programs you mentioned might work with Wine. For instance, Clip Studio Paint and Scrivener can run with some minor adjustments. You might need to grapple with settings for Paint Tool Sai and Rebelle, but they aren’t impossible! Notion actually has a Linux build, so you can use that directly without Wine. I'd recommend checking alternatives too, just in case.
Definitely try running it through Wine from a live USB first! It’ll help you see what works and what doesn’t without committing to a full installation.
Yeah, Wine can be tricky! The VM option seems to be better in the long run, especially if you rely heavily on specific programs.