How to install Krita 5.2.6 on a Chromebook

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Krita 5.2.6 on your Chromebook. Krita is a powerful, free, and open-source digital painting and illustration software that's popular among artists and designers. By following these steps, you'll be able to use this professional-grade tool right on your Chromebook.

Compatibility Check

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is specifically for Chromebooks with Intel or AMD processors that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs. If you're unsure about your Chromebook's processor, you can check our lists of Intel-based Chromebooks and AMD-based Chromebooks.

Installation Process

Follow these steps carefully to install Krita on your Chromebook:

  1. First, ensure that Linux apps are enabled on your Chromebook. If you haven't done this yet, go to your Chromebook's settings, find the Linux (Beta) section, and follow the prompts to set it up.
  2. Once Linux is set up, open the Terminal app from your app launcher.
  3. Now, we'll run a series of commands to install Krita. Copy and paste each command into the terminal, pressing Enter after each one:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kmenuedit fuse libnss3
wget -c https://download.kde.org/stable/krita/5.2.6/krita-5.2.6-x86_64.appimage
chmod 755 krita-5.2.6-x86_64.appimage
./krita-5.2.6-x86_64.appimage
kmenuedit

Let's break down what these commands do:

  • The first command updates your package lists.
  • The second installs necessary dependencies, including a menu editor we'll use later.
  • The third downloads the Krita AppImage.
  • The fourth makes the AppImage executable.
  • The fifth runs Krita to ensure it works correctly.
  • The last command opens the menu editor, where you can add Krita to your app launcher for easy access.

Adding Krita to Your App Launcher

After running the kmenuedit command, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a category for Krita in the menu editor.
  2. Click on "New Item".
  3. Choose a name for the desktop entry (e.g., "Krita").
  4. For the command, enter the path to the AppImage you downloaded (e.g., /home/yourusername/krita-5.2.6-x86_64.appimage).
  5. Save the launcher.

Now Krita will appear in your app launcher, making it easy to start the application without using the terminal.

Using Krita on Your Chromebook

Remember that any files you want to use with Krita must be stored in your Linux files section in the file manager. This is due to how Linux apps are containerized on Chrome OS for security reasons.

Krita offers a wide range of features for digital artists, including brush engines, layer management, and support for various file formats. Take some time to explore its capabilities and you'll find it's a powerful tool for creating digital art on your Chromebook.

Additional Resources

If you need more detailed instructions, you can refer to the Google Doc used in the tutorial.

For more information about Krita and its features, visit the official Krita website.

Conclusion

Installing Krita on your Chromebook opens up a world of digital art possibilities. Whether you're a professional artist or just starting out, Krita provides powerful tools to bring your creative visions to life. If you encounter any issues during the installation process, don't hesitate to ask for help in the comments section of our YouTube video.

For those who prefer a simpler installation process, you can also install the Play Store version of Krita. While it may have some limitations compared to the full Linux version, it's a great option for quick sketches and lighter work.

Happy creating with Krita on your Chromebook!

For more information on Chromebooks and their capabilities, check out our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide.

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