ArtistX

ArtistX is an open source GNU/Linux distribution designed from the ground up to transform your personal computer into a fully capable audio/video and graphics production studio in a shortest time as possible. It is based on the world’s most popular free operating system, Ubuntu.

Available for download as a dual-arch Live DVD

The distribution is available for download as a dual-arch Live DVD ISO image or approximately 4GB in size. It’s a pretty big operating system that includes numerous tools for multimedia production tasks, suitable for 32-bit (i686) or 64-bit (x86_64) computers.

Boot options

The boot screen is very standard, allowing the user to start the live environment with default boot options or in safe graphics mode, perform a memory test, boot an existing OS from the first disk drive, as well as to start the installer directly and permanently deploy the operating system on a local drive.

The most comprehensive free OS for multimedia production

Being based on Ubuntu operating system, ArtistX incorporates all the necessary open source video and audio codecs, as well as full support for 2D and 3D graphics. Its graphical user interface comprises of a tiny panel on the upper right side of the screen and a dock (applications launcher) located on the bottom edge of the screen.

It includes free 3D engine and development software, 3D modelling and animation tools, cluster software, editor and script programs, video and audio players, image and picture editing apps, render queues and renderer software, shader and GPU tools, CAD software, a DMX light control utility, DVD-Video ripping and mastering apps, as well as video editing/encoding/decoding software.

Free TV and recording software, video streaming applications, fractals tools, vectorial and UML software, optical character recognition (OCR) programs, image synthesis utilities, image and picture viewer apps, audio synthesis, streaming, editing, encoding and decoding software, audio frameworks, radio software, voice recognition and synthesis apps, audio mixer software and media archives are also included.

Bottom line

As its name suggests, ArtistX is a software project designed by artists for artists. It is the number one operating system for setting up a dedicated multimedia workstation.

What is new in this release:

• Free 3D Engine and Development Software: Meshlabs
• Free 3D Modelling and Animation Software: Art of Illusion, Ayam, Blender, Equinox 3D, K3d, Make Human, Moonlight3D, Sculptris, Wings3D, SweetHome3D, Y.A.P.R.M
• Free Audio DJ Software: Beatport SYN, Freecycle, Freewheling, Mixxx, QSampler, Smasher, Tactile 12000, TerminatorX
• Free Audio Synth Software: amSynth, Freebirth, Horgand, Hydrogen, Ingen, Mx44, Psychosynth, Qsynth, Rakarrack, SetBfree, Sineshaper, Yoshimi
• Free Audio MIDI Tools: Arpage, MusE, Patchage
• Free Audio Sound Editor Software: Audacity, Kwave, Rezound, Sweep, Wavesurfer
• Free Audio DAW and Tracker Software: Ardour, Jokosher, Lmms, Rosegarden, Traverso, Wired
• Free CAD Software: FreeCAD, LibreCAD
• Free DVD Mastering Software: Bombono DVD, KMediaFactory, Mistelix
• Free Font Software: FontForge, FontMatrix
• Free Fractals Software: Fractalnow, Fraqtive, Mandelburber
• Free Image and Picture Editing Software: GIMP, Krita, Pinta
• Free Image and Picture Viewer Software: ImgSeek, Fotowall
• Free Image Synthesis Software: Evolvotron, JavaMorph
• Free Optical Caracter Recognition (OCR) Software: YAGF
• Free Radio Software: Darksnow
• Free Renderer Software: Aqsys, Kerkythea, Sunflow
• Free TV and Recording Software: TV-Maxe, VLC
• Free Vector Software: Delineate, Inkscape, SK1, Xara Xtreme
• Free Video Editing Software: Avidemux, Cinelerra, Cinepaint, Jahshaka, Kdenlive, Lives
• Free Video Encoding and Decoding Software: Handbrake, Mobile Media Converter, Transmageddon
• Free Video Animation and Cartoon Software: Animata, Flash4Linux, Luciole, Synfig Studio, Toonloop
• Free Video VJ Software: DelVJ, FreeJ, FreeMix, Gephex, OnyxVJ, Veejay, VSXU

What is new in version 1.3:

• It's an Ubuntu 12.04-based live DVD that turns a common computer into a full multimedia production studio. ArtistX 1.3 includes the 3.0.0-15 Linux kernel, GNOME 3 and KDE 4.8 and about 2,500 free multimedia software packages, nearly everything that exists for the GNU/Linux operating system organized in the GNOME menu. Main features: based on Ubuntu 12.04 without Unity and with all updates (from April 2012); most of GNU/Linux multimedia packages and the very easy Ubiquity installer.

What is new in version 1.1:

• It's an Ubuntu 11.04 based live DVD that turns a common computer into a full multimedia production studio: "ArtistX 1.1 is created with the Remastersys software for live DVDs and includes the 2.6.38 Linux kernel, GNOME 2.32 and KDE 4.6, Compiz Fusion and about 2500 free multimedia software packages, nearly everything that exists for the GNU/Linux operating system organized in the Gnome menu. Main features: based on Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" with all updates (from April 2011), Compiz for 3D desktop effects; most of GNU/Linux multimedia packages and the very easy Ubiquity installer.

What is new in version 0.7:

• ArtistX 0.7 is based on the Remastersys software for creating live CDs and includes the 2.6.27 Linux kernel, GNOME 2.24 and KDE 4.2, Compiz Fusion and about 2,500 free multimedia software packages, nearly everything that exists for the GNU/Linux operating system. Main features: based on Ubuntu 8.10 'Intrepid', Compiz Fusion for 3D desktop effects; most of Ubuntu multimedia packages; Ubiquity installer. A partial list of software included in the DVD: 2D graphics software - GIMP, Inkscape, Nip2, Krita, CinePaint, Synfig, Rawstudio, Skencil, Hugin; 3D graphics software - Blender, Wings3D, KPovModeler + POV-Ray 3.6, K3D; video software - Cinelerra, Kino, Open Movie Editor, Kdenlive, PiTiVi, Avidemux, DeVeDe....

What is new in version 0.6:

• ArtistX 0.6 is based on the great Remastersys software for creating live CDs and includes the 2.6.27 Linux kernel, GNOME 2.24 and KDE 4.1.3, Compiz Fusion and about 2,500 free multimedia software packages, nearly everything that exists for the GNU/Linux operating system. Main features: based on Ubuntu 8.10, Ubiquity installer (tried in VirtualBox, please back up your data as this is the first version shipped with ArtistX). A partial list of software included in the DVD: 2D graphics software: GIMP, Inkscape, Nip2, Krita, CinePaint, Synfig, Rawstudio, Skencil, Hugin; 3D graphics softwares: Blender, Wings3D, KPovModeler + POV-Ray 3.6, K3D; video software: Cinelerra, Kino, Open Movie Editor, Kdenlive, PiTiVi, Avidemux, DeVeDe....