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DECEMBER 31, 2002 Bring Out The GIMP
Step 6: Using Fink So now that you've got the Terminal open again, type:[an error occurred while processing this directive]su [return] to log in as root. Enter your password, and then type: fink [return] You should see a list of commands (fig. 6) that tell you how to use Fink to get Unix packages.  Fig. 6: The authors of Fink have done a great job of distilling the process of installing Unix apps on OS X down to a very manageable list of commands. We're going to do a bit of housecleaning here to make getting the GIMP easier. Type the following into the terminal: fink selfupdate [return] Just use the defaults when asked, but make sure you use your own login name instead of root when it asks you. This command updates Fink to the latest software available. Once that process is done, type: apt-get update [return] Since "apt-get" is the command Fink uses to get precompiled binaries, this particluar command updates the list of files you can get using apt-get. The default installation of Fink doesn't include the GIMP on its list of precompiled binaries, meaning you would have to type fink install gimp to install the GIMP, which would ultimately lead to having to compile the GIMP from the source code. Compiling source code can take a very, very long time to do, so whenever possible it's much quicker to get whatever you can using apt-get, as all of the heavy lifting has already been done for you. Step 7: Getting the GIMP Oh, we're getting so close! I can almost smell it. Enter the following command in the Terminal: apt-get install gimp [return] Just say yes when asked about NetInfo stuff, and boom. Some cryptic Terminal text will fly by, and once you see the command prompt again, the GIMP is installed and ready to use. Ahh, but how do you launch the GIMP? Step 8: Launching the GIMP Here we are: the moment of truth. To run the GIMP, first launch OroborOSX (or XDarwin, if you skipped ahead way back when). In OroborOSX, just go to the Launch menu and select MacGIMP (fig. 7).  Fig. 7: Now that the GIMP is installed, you can use the MacGimp menu item that's already in the OroborOSX Launch menu to start up the GIMP. Or, if you're either in XDarwin or prefer to use the XTerm program that opens automatically from OroborOSX, just enter "gimp" at the command prompt. That's it! You should be presented with a couple of configuration screens. You can just accept the defaults, and by golly, you're running the GIMP on Mac OS X (fig. 8).  Fig. 8: Here it is! The GIMP lives on OS X. It even looks like an Aqua program, more or less. Wrapping it up While getting the GIMP (or any other Unix app, for that matter) to run on Mac OS X isn't the most straightforward task in the world, hopefully we've killed two birds with one stone here. First, you've got a pretty nice Unix environment installed and an easy way to get more Unix programs, and second, you've got a very capable free image editor ready and waiting for you to explore. Happy GIMPing! When not fleeing the paparazzi or spending his vast fortune associated with the fame and notoriety of being a Creative Mac contributing editor, Kevin Schmitt can be found with his eyeballs glued to his computer screen, actually using some of the hardware and software he rants so incoherently about. An award-winning animator, artist and multimedia producer, he is currently a freelance designer located in the enormously bustling megalopolis of Charlottesville, Va. Whether you're looking to "give him the business" of either the figurative or literal type, feel free to drop him a line. He's ready to believe you! Prev 1 2 3 4 Related sites: • Creative Mac • Digital Media Designer • Digital Producer • The WWUG Related forums: [an error occurred while processing this directive] 
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