Adobe, Linux Support, and the Linux Foundation.

Report · Apr 08, 2019

While generally I've only lurked the Adobe forums I've finally worked up guts to post this. I also know that about every 1-2 months this question is asked but I think it deserves a another go around.

My premises is this:

Adobe joined the Linux Foundation in 2008 for a focus on Linux for Web 2.0 Applications like Adobe® Flash® Player and Adobe AIR™. Currently Adobe holds a silver membership status with the Linux Foundation. So why in the world do they not have any Creative Cloud Programs available in Linux without the need for WINE and other such workarounds. I think it's a sucky move to support the Linux Foundation and use Linux in the back-end while not doing anything to support actual Linux users who have for at least a decade requested Adobe desktop products on Linux. Sure it's going to take a lot of manpower, financial resources, etc. But to truly support Linux and the Linux Foundation I think it's necessary that y'all do make things like Photoshop and Lightroom available for the Linux desktop. In any regards the wider Linux community would most likely help with testing and debugging programs. We're used to it.

Report · Jan 28, 2018

This is no longer the correct answer. The link is broken.

Report · Jan 28, 2018

Thanks. I've asked David if he, or anyone, could update his answer from 514 posts before your one.

Report · Feb 01, 2018

I'd also like to add my vote for this oft-requested feature, and add some further clarification.

I am currently a subscriber to the full creative-cloud suite. I'm also a designer, a software engineer, and am often described as a "full stack" developer... Truly "full" stack given that I'll also work with UI/UX and artistic assets.

I use Linux, extensively, it would be my OS of choice for all seasons if not prevented by certain software not being available. Specifically CC, keynote and omnigraffle. So when I see official replies like this, it makes me want to weep:

Again, we've done the research. The profits aren't there -- very few Linux users are willing to pay for commercial software. And the cost of entry is still high because of the fragmented Linux landscape.

Because it's the wrong research. This isn't a request to make CC available to a new market of existing Linux users. It's a request to make it available on a better platform to existing, paying, CC subscribers. Many of us gave up on Windows long ago for various reasons, and macOS is just getting worse and worse with each new release. They're both poor choices for various reasons, and I'd happily give them both up if not otherwise tethered.

It feels like my hand is being forced by Adobe here, I'm being made to use a system I'd rather not. Sooner or later someone will produce Linux alternatives to the CC suite apps that I use that are good enough against a background of macOS becoming increasingly unbearable. When the pain of using an inferior OS outweighs the pain of using an inferior app. On that day I'll be jumping ship... simply because Adobe was so myopic as to obsess about a growth strategy without also considering what's needed to retain existing customers.

I wonder how many other existing, paying, users feel the same way? How many others are in the same boat (and potentially willing to jump from it)?

Report · Feb 13, 2018

As a developer // designer I would highly recommend getting at least Photoshop and Premiere onto Linux. It is a bit of a shame to start the other Windows PC everytime I need to edit a spritemap or something else.

And another note regarding UX design of your forum: One can not get to the last page without surfing through every other page? Really? In 2018? I am a bit offended by this.

Also I would like to know why I can only download a test version of Photoshop CC, when I currently have a subscription with it included. And lastly: Your download page (when clicking from account site) does show nothing unless you refresh it a million times (tested with latest Chrome on Ubuntu 16.04 and Microsoft Edge on Windows 10). Seriously: Please, fix.

But to not make this a total rant: I love your software, keep up the great work!

Report · Feb 25, 2018

As you've seen "this option is now available".
Give us, customers, what we want.
Otherwise, we will find it by ourselves (maybe in another company if we need to).
Regards,

Liwy

Report · Feb 26, 2018

Unfortunately, Creative Cloud is not yet available for Linux, Ubuntu.

Thanks

Kanika

Report · Mar 01, 2018

Are there plans to make it available? I am currently in the process of backing up all files and switching away from Windows 10 due to their intrusive background apps. We pay good money for a subscription and shouldn't be held to ransom by either Apple or Microsoft.

Report · Mar 03, 2018

I second what Righteo asked. I've switched to Linux over a year ago & use Black Magic Design's products (including hardware).

Regarding the video, the script appears to work under the compatibility layer (on Arch Linux) - but without After Effects in the list for some reason. I will keep on checking.

Report · Mar 04, 2018

"Unfortunately, Creative Cloud is not yet available for Linux, Ubuntu.

Thanks

Kanika"

OHHH THAT ANSWER WAS HELPFULL! We did not know that. Thank you for iluminating us!

Report · Mar 04, 2018

Lets be respectful towards the messenger, at least we get some feedback from an Adobe rep. Its obvious that we are dealing with a corporate alliance with no intention of supporting Linux. Hopefully a company like Xiaomi will make the most of the thousands of newly graduated software engineers and give us some alternatives in the next few years.

Report · Mar 04, 2018

YEAH My apologise...but if you don't have anything to say...maybe is better not to say anithing

Report · Mar 04, 2018

In the past, I put several studios I cooperated with, to go with the Adobe platform for the support on the heavier visuals we were producing. However, when we went further independent (building up for TV Series & Films), we remained on the security and stability of Linux, which is vital for projects of this state. Everything we once suffered with on OSX and crashed crazily on Windows, remained rock solid on Linux. Now we run everything on that OS.

More recently I worked with a director, who used OSX & his blood pressure was through the roof with crashes - while my alternatives (building content for him) suffered ZERO on my Linux stations.

For that reason, the stations we're working on have switched to BMD (BlackMagic)and they have now become the platform we started suggest to people and companies we work with. Guess what, some are already starting to listen.

Besides, there are unified architectures to handle the "fragmented" Linux region. They are called Snap Packs & App Images. The kernels and drivers are pretty much a point of reference for all distros out there. From there on, everything else is simply symbolic links and directory placements. For example, every application that runs on Ubuntu, I can use on Arch - or applications that run on Fedora can be transformed and installed on Ubuntu (using Alien for example).

Conclusively, once the application becomes available for one distribution, the rest of the community will make it available for the rest. So, even the "fragmented Linux landscape" does not stand as a case.

My guess would be that Adobe is happy with the marketing data they receive from Microsoft & Apple (who are essentially spying on the respective systems), to move toward a platform that is secure and stable.

Report · Mar 05, 2018

This lady, Kanika convince me not to pay anymore to ADOBE. And i already convince one of my friend to switch to DARKTABLE. There always is a open source way...

Report · Mar 09, 2018

righteo wrote
Are there plans to make it available? I am currently in the process of backing up all files and switching away from Windows 10 due to their intrusive background apps. We pay good money for a subscription and shouldn't be held to ransom by either Apple or Microsoft.

I'm currently doing the same, running Manjaro Linux. Linux is quickly becoming a superior option over Windows and as of right now, Adobe CC is the only thing keeping me tied to Windows.

Report · Mar 12, 2018

Adobe CC is the only thing makes me restart my PC to open windows -_-
I hope they make Creative Cloud available for Linux someday soon

Report · Mar 15, 2018

Linux is the way. Like everything else, you have to research and learn how to do things to make it work. Even going as far as relearning new tools that happen to be free. For this reason, Windows and Mac will always win. Even if it's users face an onslaught of issues, they're simply too lazy to consider the alternative that is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Win and Mac are losing it's edge. If you want simple plug and play with full support, you'll have to pay. If the OS is free, then you surrender your data in exchange. Windows 7 was the pinnacle of MS, being the most stable in my 30 years of experience. I think it's becoming hard for companies to find programmers with critical thinking skills. Many are retiring. The forums are rife with complaints about poor support, the things we've come to expect with paying. All support is nothing more than someone reading back a script. My experience has been good. However, it's a systems approach and I'm on the fence with Win 10.

Linux is supported by a massive community of critical thinkers. However, it doesn't always mean privacy or security. There is none. However, the software is dirt cheap or free, with little to no support. Thus the price is picking up a manual and a learning curve.

Report · Mar 18, 2018

We use ubuntu because that is what our servers run on, that's it, plain and simple. If adobe won't adapt, then we'll have to bid adieu. We can't buy two machines where one will do.

Report · Apr 11, 2018

Hello, Kanika and Adobe! Please, make CC available on Linux and I'll probably pay for it.

Report · Apr 11, 2018

Hi данилос21991410,

Kindly post your suggestion/idea under: Creative Cloud Feature Requests

Thanks

Kanika

Report · Apr 17, 2018

Hello everyone,

I've been a Mac user since 1994, and I've become more and more disappointed with Apple's products (both hardware and software/OS) in the past few years.

Adobe CC is the only reason I didn't switch to Ubuntu on my laptop and on my main workstation yet (I'm running Ubuntu on multiple desktop computers and servers and personally I think it's much more stable and reliable than the Mac by now). I guess there's a number of users who would be interested in switching from the Mac, but for most of them Windows isn't an option.

So is there any chance that Adobe CC will become available on Ubuntu / Linux one day?

Thanks

Jos

Report · Apr 17, 2018

Currently, there might not be any plans of them coming into Linux.

I am totally disappointed with Windows 10 now due to their annoying updates, bloatware (cannot remove those stock apps), lack of control and so on. Adobe Creative Suite keeps me tied to Windows.

There is a small workaround that you can run the Creative Cloud on Linux using a custom PlayOnLinux script : GitHub - corbindavenport/creative-cloud-linux: PlayOnLinux install script for Adobe Creative Cloud

He says that Photoshop and Light room 5 works nice on his script.

They are not coming to Linux mainly because the Linux guys are more free and open source guys and therefore they feel that most of them don't buy their suite. But the real fact is, if they come to Linux, Win10's market share will be questioned. As a lot of the Linux lovers use Windows 10 just for Adobe.

Lightworks, Nuke and Resolve came to Linux. Why can't Adobe ?

I am also waiting for it.

Please make it soon.

Report · Apr 25, 2018

I would love to see Adobe CC on Ubuntu

Report · Apr 30, 2018

I've paid for the Creative Cloud since Oct. 2013. I've been hoping all these years maybe Adobe would have seen the light. That was probably dumb of me. I've shifted my career from using After Effects as my main tool to it's highly productive alternatives, Nuke and Fusion. Both happily available on Linux. I no longer need Creative Cloud and so this is my last month paying.

With Apple shifting focus to 'devices' and Windows to Candy Crush marketing I feel Linux has the best future. Snap packaging, flatpaks, and appimage are fueling a future with easily updateable applications while maintaining a super stable base system (which is 100% free as in beer and mostly free as in speech). Linux is easy to install, easy to maintain, and easy to customize to a business's needs.

In closing, I'd just like to point out the apps that are Linux native in the creative field that make money:

Nuke

Fusion

Houdini

Maya

Modo

Flame

Substance Painter & Designer

Davinci Resolve

Lightworks

If one day Adobe ports over even just Photoshop or AfterEffects I will be back. Until then, so long.

Report · Apr 30, 2018

I wonder! What distro do you use on linux?

Ubuntu? Fedora?

Report · Apr 30, 2018

I've dabbled in a few but pretty much always come back to CentOS. Rock solid and 7 will be supported until 2024.