TUXPAINT(1)
โจ NAME โจ
okay so bestie, welcome to the TUXPAINT(1) manual page โ this is all about tuxpaint, aka Tux Paint, and it's literally a drawing program for young children. ๐๏ธ๐
๐ธ SYNOPSYS ๐ธ
here's the exact command-line shape, no edits, no cap:
tuxpaint [--help --version --verbose-version --usage --copying]
tuxpaint [--fullscreen {yes|native|no}]
[--allowscreensaver]
[--WIDTHxHEIGHT]
[--native]
[--orient=portrait]
[--buttonsize SIZE | --buttonsize auto]
[--startblank]
[--nosound]
[--nostereo]
[--noquit]
[--noprint]
[--printdelay=SECONDS]
[--printcfg]
[--altprintalways | --altprintnever]
[--papersize PAPERSIZE | --papersize help]
[--printcommand COMMAND]
[--altprintcommand COMMAND]
[--simpleshapes]
[--uppercase]
[--grab]
[--noshortcuts]
[--nowheelmouse]
[--nobuttondistinction]
[--nofancycursors]
[--hidecursor]
[--nooutlines]
[--nostamps]
[--nostampcontrols]
[--nostamprotation]
[--nomagiccontrols]
[--nomagicsizes]
[--ungroupmagictools]
[--noshapecontrols]
[--nolabel]
[--nobrushspacing]
[--complexity=beginner | --complexity=novice]
[--notemplateexport]
[--newcolorslast]
[--mirrorstamps]
[--colorsrows=ROWS]
[--mouse-accessibility]
[--onscreen-keyboard]
[--onscreen-keyboard-layout LAYOUT]
[--onscreen-keyboard-disable-change]
[--joystick-dev=DEVICE]
[--joystick-dev=list]
[--joystick-slowness=SPEED]
[--joystick-threshold=THRESHOLD]
[--joystick-maxsteps=STEPS]
[--joystick-hat-timeout=MILLISECONDS]
[--joystick-hat-slowness=SPEED]
[--joystick-btn-escape=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-brush=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-stamp=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-lines=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-shapes=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-text=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-label=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-magic=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-undo=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-redo=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-eraser=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-new=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-open=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-save=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-pgsetup=BUTTON]
[--joystick-btn-print=BUTTON]
[--joystick-buttons-ignore=BUTTON1,BUTTON2,...]
[--stampsize=SIZE]
[--keyboard]
[--nosysfonts]
[--alllocalefonts]
[--uifont FONT NAME]
[--savedir DIR]
[--exportdir DIR]
[--datadir DIR]
[--saveover]
[--saveovernew]
[--nosave]
[--noerase]
[--autosave]
[--reversesort]
[--colorfile FILE]
tuxpaint (defaults)
[--windowed]
[--disablescreensaver]
[--800x600]
[--orient=landscape]
[--buttonsize 48]
[--startlast]
[--sound]
[--stereo]
[--quit]
[--print]
[--printdelay=0]
[--noprintcfg]
[--altprintmod]
[--complexshapes]
[--mixedcase]
[--dontgrab]
[--shortcuts]
[--wheelmouse]
[--buttondistinction]
[--fancycursors]
[--showcursor]
[--outlines]
[--stamps]
[--stampcontrols]
[--stamprotation]
[--magiccontrols]
[--magicsizes]
[--groupmagictools]
[--shapecontrols]
[--label]
[--brushspacing]
[--complexity=advanced]
[--templateexport]
[--newcolorsfirst]
[--dontmirrorstamps]
[--stampsize=default]
[--mouse]
[--sysfonts]
[--currentlocalefont]
[--uifont=default]
[--saveoverask]
[--save]
[--erase]
[--noautosave]
[--noreversesort]
tuxpaint [--locale LOCALE]
tuxpaint [--lang LANGUAGE | --lang help]
tuxpaint [--nosysconfig]
[--nolockfile]so many brackets, so much power. ๐
๐ DESCRIPTION ๐
Tux Paint is a drawing program for young children. It is meant to be easy and fun to use. It provides a simple interface and fixed canvas size, and provides access to previous images using a thumbnail browser (i.e., no access to the underlying filesystem). So it's giving "safe creative zone" and we love that. ๐จ
Unlike popular drawing programs like "The GIMP," it has a very limited toolset. However, it provides a much simpler interface, and has entertaining, child-oriented additions such as sound effects. It's iconic, periodt. โจ
๐ OPTIONS - INFORMATIONAL ๐
tuxpaint accepts the following options to emit information about the program. It then exits immediately (without opening a graphical window). So it's a quick info drop and then it's out. ๐
--helpโ displays short, helpful information about Tux Paint.--versionโ outputs the version info.--verbose-versionโ outputs the version info and compile-time build options.--usageโ displays a list of all commandline options.--copyingโ shows the license (GNU GPL) under which Tux Paint is released.--listfontsโ displays a list of fonts found by Pango (and so available to Tux Paint via--uifont).
โจ OPTIONS - INTERFACE โจ
okay bestie, so tuxpaint accepts the following options to alter the interface. They can be used along with, instead of, or to override options set in configuration files. (See below.) ๐
๐ฅ VIDEO ๐ฅ
--fullscreen=yes,--fullscreen=native,--fullscreen=no,--windowedโ Run Tux Paint in full-screen mode at its default -- or a specified -- screen resolution (--fullscreen=yes); or in full-screen mode at the system's native resolution (--fullscreen=native); or run in a window (--fullscreen=noor--windowed) (default). โจ--nativeโ When in fullscreen mode, use the system's default screen resolution.--WIDTHxHEIGHTโ Run Tux Paint in a particularly-sized window, or at a particular fullscreen resolution (if--nativeis not used). Default is800x600. Minimum width is640. Minimum height is480. Portrait and landscape orientations are both supported. (Also see--orient, below.) ๐ฆ--orient=landscape,--orient=portraitโ If--orient=portraitis set, asks Tux Paint to swap the WIDTH and HEIGHT values it uses for windowed or fullscreen mode, without having to actually change the WIDTH and HEIGHT values in the configuration file or on the command-line. (This is useful on devices where the screen can be rotated, e.g. tablet PCs.) ๐--allowscreensaver,--disablescreensaverโ Normally,tuxpaintdisables your screensaver. Use--allowscreensaverto prevent this from happening.
๐ SOUND ๐
--nosound,--soundโ Disable or enable (default) sound. ๐--nostereo,--stereoโ Disable or enable (default) stereo panning support. ๐ง
๐ INTERFACE SIZE ๐
--buttonsize SIZE,--buttonsize autoโ Adjust the size of the buttons in Tux Paint's user interface, between24and192pixels (48is the default, and suitable for displays with96to120dpipixel density). Useautoto have Tux Paint choose a button size based on Tux Paint's window/display size.--colorsrows=ROWSโ How many rows of color palette buttons to show; useful when using a large color palette, and/or for use with coarse input devices (like eyegaze trackers). It can be between1(default) and3.
โจ INTERFACE SIMPLIFICATION โจ
--simpleshapes,--complexshapesโ Disable or enable (default) the rotation step when using the Shape tool within Tux Paint. When disabled, shapes cannot be rotated; however, the interface is easier (click, drag, release), which can be useful for younger or disabled children.--nooutlines,--outlinesโ With--nooutlinesenabled, much simpler outlines and 'rubber-band' lines are displayed when using the Lines, Shapes, Stamps and Eraser tools. (This can help when Tux Paint is run on slower computers, or displayed on a remote terminal.) ๐๏ธ--uppercase,--mixedcaseโ With--uppercaseenabled, all text prompts and the Text and Label drawing tools will display only uppercase letters. This is useful for children who are not yet comfortable with the lowercase characterset. Default mode is mixed case. ๐
๐ฏ INITIAL STAMP SIZE ๐ฏ
--stampsize=SIZE,--stampsize=defaultโ Overrides the default size of all stamps, relative to their possible sizes (determined by Tux Paint, based on the dimensions of both the stamps themselves, and the drawing canvas). Valid values are from0(smallest) to10(largest). Use--stampsize=defaultto let Tux Paint choose on a per-stamp basis (this is the default setting). โญ
๐ STARTING OUT ๐
--startblank,--startlastโ When you start Tux Paint, it loads the last image that was being worked on. The--startblankoption disables this, so it always starts with a blank canvas. The default behavior is--startlast.--newcolorslast,--newcolorsfirstโ List solid (blank) colors at the end, or beginning (default) of the options displayed when using the New tool to start a new picture. ๐
๐ฎ CONTROL SIMPLIFICATION ๐ฎ
--noquit,--quitโ Disable or enable (default) the on-screen Quit button and[Escape]key for quitting Tux Paint. Instead, use the window close button in the titlebar, the[Alt]+[F4]key sequence, or the[Shift]+[Control]+[Escape]key sequence. ๐ช--nostamps,--stampsโ With--nostampsset, Rubber Stamp images are not loaded, so the Stamps tool will not be available. This option can be used to reduce the time Tux Paint takes to load, and reduce the amount of RAM it requires. ๐พ--nostampcontrols,--stampcontrolsโ Disable or enable (default) buttons to control stamps. Controls include mirror, flip, shrink and grow. (Note: Not all stamps will be controllable in all ways.) ๐ฆ--nostamprotation,--stamprotationโ Disable or enable (default) the rotation step when placing a stamp in the drawing. ๐--nomagiccontrols,--magiccontrolsโ Disable or enable (default) buttons to control Magic tools. Controls include controlling whether a Magic tool is used like a paint brush, or if it affects the entire image at once. (Note: Not all Magic tools will be controllable.) โจ--nomagicsizes,--magicsizesโ Disable or enable (default) Magic size controls. (Note: Not all Magic tools offer size controls.) ๐--ungroupmagictools,--groupmagictoolsโ Disable or enable (default) grouping of Magic tools. ๐ง--noshapecontrols,--shapecontrolsโ Disable or enable (default) buttons to change the Shape tool's behavior -- shapes expanding from the center, or from a corner, where the mouse is initially clicked. ๐ท--nolabel,--labelโ Disable or enable (default) the Label tool, which lets you create text which can be altered or moved later. ๐ท๏ธ--nobrushspacing,--brushspacingโ Disable or enable (default) the brush spacing option of the Paint and Lines tools, which allows you to override the default spacing of a brush. ๐๏ธ--complexity=advanced,--complexity=beginner,--complexity=noviceโ Set the complexity (expertise) level, which affects whether certain Magic tools are available, or how they operate. (advancedis the default) ๐--notemplateexport,--templateexportโ Disable or enable (default) the ability to create new Templates from saved drawings via the Open dialog. ๐--noerase,--eraseโ The--noeraseoption disables Tux Paint's ability to erase files (saved drawings, via the Open dialog, and exported templates, via the New dialog). Useful to prevent a user from accidentally erasing their own work, or that of others (especially used in combination with--saveovernew). ๐
๐ OPTIONS - CONTROLLING TUX PAINT ๐
okay bestie, this whole chunk is about how you drive Tux Paint โ cursors, keyboards, mice, joysticks, all of it. And here's the tea: you can use these options along with, instead of, or to override whatever's chilling in the configuration files. (Config files? Yeah, they're further down. iykyk.)
๐ฆ CURSOR ๐ฆ
--nofancycursors,--fancycursorsโ turns the โจfancyโจ mouse pointer shapes off or on (on is the default, btw). The shapes are bigger and they react to context, which is adorable, but ngl some environments straight up can't handle them โ they'll glitch out or leave lil ghost 'trails' all over your screen. ๐ญ--hidecursor,--showcursorโ fully hides the mouse pointer, or brings it back (showing it is the default). Super handy on touchscreen devices like tablet PCs, where a floating arrow is just doing too much. ๐
โจ๏ธ KEYBOARD โจ๏ธ
--noshortcuts,--shortcutsโ in--noshortcutsmode, keyboard shortcuts get switched off (think[Ctrl]+[S]for Save, that kinda thing). Default vibe is shortcuts enabled, periodt.
๐ฑ๏ธ MOUSE AND ACCESSIBILITY ๐ฑ๏ธ
--grab,--dontgrabโ grabs the mouse and keyboard input (if it can), so the mouse gets confined inside the Tux Paint window. Default is to not grab. No trapping bestie, we're not like that.--nowheelmouse,--wheelmouseโ by default, the wheel (that jog dial situation on your mouse) gets used to scroll. With--nowheelmouse, the wheel is completely ignored. This is genuinely great for kiddos who aren't comfy with the mouse yet. Default is to support the wheel.--mouse-accessibilityโ in this mode, instead of click-drag-release to draw, you do: click, move, then click again to end the motion. Sticky mouse clicks, iconic behaviour honestly.--keyboard,--mouseโ the--keyboardoption lets you control Tux Paint's mouse pointer with the keyboard.[Up],[Down],[Left]and[Right]move the pointer, and[Spacebar]acts as the mouse button. Slay.--nobuttondistinction,--buttondistinctionโ by default, only mouse button #1 (usually the leftmost one, on mice with multiple buttons) can interact with Tux Paint. With--nobuttondistinction, mouse buttons #2 (middle) and #3 (right) work too! Great for kids who aren't yet comfy with the mouse. Default is to only recognise button #1.
๐ธ ONSCREEN KEYBOARD ๐ธ
--onscreen-keyboardโ pops up a clickable on-screen keyboard whenever you're using the Text and Label tools. Cute and functional. ๐ซถ--onscreen-keyboard-layout LAYOUTโ sets the default layout for that on-screen keyboard (the one from above, yeah ๐).--onscreen-keyboard-disable-changeโ kills the left/right arrow buttons that show up on the on-screen keyboard, the ones you'd normally use to switch between the available keyboard layouts. No switching for you. ๐ซ
๐ฎ JOYSTICK ๐ฎ
--joystick-dev=DEVICEโ picks which joystick device Tux Paint should use. Default value is0(aka the first joystick).--joystick-dev=listโ lists all the joysticks your system has, then exits. (It does not launch Tux Paint. Just a peek, no commitment. ๐)--joystick-slowness=SPEEDโ sets a delay at each axis motion, which slows the joystick down. Allowed values are0to500. Default value is15.--joystick-threshold=THRESHOLDโ sets the minimum level of axis motion needed before the pointer starts moving. Allowed values are0to32766. Default value is3200.--joystick-maxsteps=STEPSโ sets the maximum pixels the pointer will move at once. Allowed values are1to7. Default value is7.--joystick-hat-timeout=MILLISECONDSโ sets the delay after which the pointer will start moving automatically if the hat is kept pushed. Allowed values are0to3000. Default value is1000.--joystick-hat-slowness=SPEEDโ sets a delay at each automatic motion, which slows the speed of the hat. Allowed values are0to500. Default value is15.--joystick-btn-escape=BUTTONโ picks the joystick button number, as seen by SDL, that generates an escape event. Perfect for dismissing dialogs and quitting out. ๐--joystick-btn-COMMAND=BUTTONโ picks the joystick button number, as seen by SDL, that becomes a shortcut to the various tools inside Tux Paint. The lineup:brush| Paintstamp| Stamplines| Linesshapes| Shapestext| Textlabel| Labelmagic| Magicundo| Undoredo| Redoeraser| Erasernew| Newopen| Opensave| Savepgsetup| Print (dialog)print| Print (immediate)
--joystick-buttons-ignore=BUTTON1,BUTTON2,...โ a set of joystick button numbers, as seen by SDL, that should be ignored. Because otherwise โ unless they're claimed by one of the--joystick-btn-...options above โ those buttons get treated as a mouse left-click. Comma-separated, bestie. Don't forget the commas. ๐ฅ
๐จ๏ธ OPTIONS - PRINTING ๐จ๏ธ
now we're talking printer behaviour, and again: these can be used along with, instead of, or to override options set in the configuration files. (See below, as always. ๐)
๐ PRINT PERMISSIONS ๐
--noprint,--printโ disables or enables (enabled is the default) the Print command inside Tux Paint.--printdelay=SECONDS,--printdelay=0โ only allows printing (via the Print command) once everySECONDSseconds. Default is0, which means no limitation at all. Print away. ๐จ๏ธโจ
๐ SHOW PRINTER DIALOG ๐
--altprintmod,--altprintnever,--altprintalwaysโ these control whether a system printer dialog shows up when someone clicks Print. By default (--altprintmod), holding[Alt]while clicking Print brings up the dialog โ unless you're in fullscreen mode. With--altprintalways, the dialog appears every single time, no[Alt]required. With--altprintnever, the dialog never appears, even if you're holding[Alt]down like your life depends on it. ๐
๐พ SAVE PRINTER CONFIGURATION ๐พ
--printcfg,--noprintcfgโ (Windows and Mac OS X only, bestie.) Enables or disables the loading and saving of printer settings. By default, Tux Paint prints to the default printer with default settings. Pressing[Alt]while pushing the Print button makes a printer dialog appear (as long as you're not in fullscreen mode โ see also--altprintalwaysand--altprintnever, below). And unless--noprintcfgis used, your previous settings get loaded when Tux Paint starts up, and any changes you make get saved for next time. Memory queen. ๐
๐ง PRINT COMMANDS ๐ง
--printcommand COMMANDโ (only when PostScript printing is used.) Have Tux Paint print via an alternate command instead oflpr(1).--altprintcommand COMMANDโ (only when PostScript printing is used.) Have Tux Paint print via an alternate command when a dialog is expected (like when you're holding[Alt]while clicking Print; see above), instead ofkprinter.
โญ PAPER SIZE โญ
--papersize PAPERSIZEโ (only when PostScript printing is used.) Asks Tux Paint to generate PostScript at a particular paper size. Valid sizes are whateverlibpapersupports. Go checkpapersize(5). ๐
๐ OPTIONS - SAVING ๐
this is the save/export department โ options that change how Tux Paint acts when saving or exporting drawings. And yes, once again: use them along with, instead of, or to override options from the configuration files. (See below. ๐ซถ)
๐ SAVE OVER EARLIER WORK ๐
--saveover,--saveovernew,--saveoveraskโ if saving a picture is gonna overwrite an older version of that file, Tux Paint asks for confirmation by default: either save over the old file, or make a new one. You can turn that prompt off with--saveover(always saves over older versions of pictures) or--saveovernew(always saves a new file). The default is to prompt, which is--saveoverask.
๐ฆ SAVE AND EXPORT DIRECTORIES ๐ฆ
--savedir DIRโ tells Tux Paint where to save and load its drawings.--exportdir DIRโ tells Tux Paint where to export drawings and animations. ๐ค
๐ธ MORE SAVING OPTIONS ๐ธ
--nosave,--saveโ the--nosaveoption disables Tux Paint's ability to save files entirely. Use it when the program is just for fun, or when you're in a test environment.--autosave,--noautosaveโ the--autosaveoption stops Tux Paint from asking whether you want to save the current picture when quitting, and just assumes you do. Yes bestie, we're saving. ๐พ--reversesort,--noautosaveโ the--reversesortoption makes Tux Paint's Open and Slideshow dialogs show the oldest images at the top of the list. (Normally the newest ones appear at the top, and the oldest at the bottom.)
๐จ OPTIONS - DATA FILES ๐จ
where does Tux Paint get its stuff from, you ask? These options change where Tux Paint loads data (stamps, brushes, etc.) from. Yep, the usual deal: use them along with, instead of, or to override options set in configuration files. (See below.)
--datadir DIRโ tells Tux Paint where to look for personal data files (brushes, stamps, etc.).--colorfile FILEโ this one lets you override Tux Paint's default colour palette and swap in your own. The file should be a plain ASCII text file with one colour description per line. Colours can be in decimal, or 6- or 3-digit hexadecimal, followed by a description. For example,"#000 Black"and"255 192 64 Orange". Custom palette era. ๐
โจ OPTIONS - LANGUAGE โจ
Okay bestie, so tuxpaint can literally speak your language โ like, over a hundred of them. ๐ These options switch up the language the interface uses, plus some related settings. You can use them alongside config-file options, instead of them, or just to override them. (Config files are down below, don't worry.)
Tons of Tux Paint has been translated into a whole bunch of languages already. Tux Paint will try its absolute best to honor your locale setting (that's the LANG environment variable, iykyk), if it can. But you can also just straight-up pick the language yourself, on the command-line or in a configuration file. Slay.
--locale LOCALEโ pick the language by locale name. And bestie, a locale name is usually shaped like"language[_territory][.codeset][@modifier]", where"language"is an ISO 639 language code,"territory"is an ISO 3166 country code, and"codeset"is a character set or encoding identifier like"ISO-8859-1"or"UTF-8".
For example: "de_DE@euro" for German, or "pt_BR" for Brazilian Portuguese. ๐
--lang LANGUAGEโ pick the language by its name, the way Tux Paint recognizes it. Choose one of the names from this iconic list right here:english|american-englishacholi|acoliafrikaansakan|twi-fantealbanianamharicarabicaragonesarmenian|hayerenassameseasturianazerbaijaniaustralian-englishbambarabasque|euskarabelarusian|bielaruskajabengalibodobokmalbosnianbrazilian-portuguese|portugues-brazilian|brazilianbreton|brezhonegbritish|british-englishbulgariancanadian-englishcatalan|catalachinese|simplified-chinesecroatian|hrvatskiczech|ceskydanish|danskdogridutch|nederlandsesperantoestonianfaroesefinnish|suomifrench|francaisfula|fulah|pulaar-fulfuldegaelic|irish-gaelic|gaidhliggalician|galegogeorgiangerman|deutschgreekgronings|zudelk-veenkelonioalsgujaratihebrewhindihungarian|magyaricelandic|islenskaindonesian|bahasa-indonesiainuktitutitalian|italianojapanesekabyle|kabyliankannadakashmiri-devanagarikashmiri-perso-arabickiga|chigakinyarwandakhmerklingon|tlhIngankonkani-devanagarikonkani-romankoreankurdishlatvianlithuanian|lietuviulugandaluxembourgish|letzebuergeschmacedonianmaithilimalaymalayalammanipuri-bengalimanipuri-meitei-mayekmarathimexican-spanish|espanol-mejicano|mexicanmongolianndebelenepalinorthern-sotho|sesotho-sa-leboanorwegian|nynorsk|norskoccitanodia|oriyaojibway|ojibwepersianpolish|polskiportuguese|portuguespunjabi|panjabiromanianrussian|russkiysanskritsantali-devanagarisantali-ol-chikisardinianscottish|scottish-gaelic|ghaidhligserbianserbian-latinshuswap|secwepemctinshuswap-devanagarisindhi-perso-arabicslovakslovenian|slovenskosonghaysouthafrican-englishspanish|espanolsundaneseswahiliswedish|svenskatagalogtamilteluguthaitibetantraditional-chineseturkishtwiukrainianurduvalencianvendavenetian|venetovietnamesewalloon|walonwelsh|cymraegwolofxhosazapotec|miahuatlan-zapoteczulu
--lang helpโ displays a list of all the supported languages. Fr fr, it's the cheat sheet. ๐ซถ--mirrorstamps/--dontmirrorstampsโ turn on--mirrorstampsand the stamps that can be mirrored will show up mirrored by default. Which is honestly so useful if you're someone who prefers things right-to-left instead of left-to-right. ๐
๐ FONTS ๐
--nosysfonts/--sysfontsโ normally Tux Paint goes looking for extra TrueType Fonts installed in the common places on your system. If that's causing drama, or you'd rather only have the fonts installed in Tux Paint's own directory available, hit it with--nosysfontsto switch that feature off.--alllocalefonts/--currentlocalefontโ Tux Paint avoids loading any fonts it finds in its"locale"font subdirectory, except the ones matching the current locale Tux Paint is running under. Use--alllocalefontsto load all of those fonts, for the Text and Label tools. (Fun fact: this was the default behavior, prior to version0.9.21.)--uifont="FONT NAME"/--uifont=defaultโ tell Tux Paint the name of a font it should try to use for its user interface (UI) โ like, button labels, dialog pop-up text, that instructional text at the bottom. If you leave it unspecified, or you pass"default", then"DejaVu Sans"gets used. (And yes, this was the default behavior prior to version0.9.31.)
๐ฆ OPTIONS - MISCELLANEOUS ๐ฆ
And here's the grab-bag, bestie โ tuxpaint takes these to change up its behavior. Same deal as always: use them alongside config-file options, instead of them, or to override them. (Config files are still down below.)
--nosysconfigโ with this one, Tux Paint won't even try to read the system-wide configuration file (which is typically"/etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.conf"or"/usr/local/etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.conf").--nolockfileโ by default Tux Paint keeps a lockfile (stored in the user's local Tux Paint directory) that stops it from being launched more than once in 30 seconds. Because sometimes kids get too eager, or the UI only needs one click but the user thinks they gotta double-click. ๐ This option makes Tux Paint ignore the current lockfile.
๐ ENVIRONMENT ๐
Tux Paint might peek at a bunch of environment variables indirectly (like, through SDL(3) and friends), but these are the ones it reaches for directly. (Also go check out "FILES" below, fr.)
HOMEโ used to figure out where picture files go when you use the Save and Open commands inside Tux Paint, to keep track of the current image when you quit and restart Tux Paint, and to grab the user's configuration file.LANG,LC_ALL,LANGUAGE, andLC_MESSAGESโ used to determine which language to use, ifsetlocale(3)refers to"LC_MESSAGES".SDL_VIDEO_ALLOW_SCREENSAVERโ set this environment variable to'1'to let a screensaver pop up while Tux Paint is running. You can also do this with the"--allowscreensaver"option.SDL_VIDEO_WINDOW_POSโ if this is NOT set, Tux Paint will set it to"center", to try and park the Tux Paint window smack in the middle of a display. But if it IS set (say, to"nopref", meaning "no preference"), Tux Paint will leave it alone. ๐
๐ FILES ๐
[/usr/local/]/etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.confโ the system-wide configuration file. It gets read first (unless the"--nosysconfig"option was given on the command-line).
(Created during installation.)
$HOME/.tuxpaintrcโ the user's configuration file. Use it to set default options (instead of typing them on the command-line every single time), and/or to override anything set in the system-wide configuration file.
(Not created or edited automatically; you have to make it by hand. You can do that manually, or use tuxpaint-config(1).)
$HOME/.tuxpaint/saved/โ a directory of previously-saved images (plus thumbnails). Only files in this directory will be made available through the Open command inside Tux Paint. Overridden via the"--savedir"option.
(Created when the Save command is used.)
$HOME/.tuxpaint/current_id.txtโ a reference to the image that was being edited when Tux Paint was last quit. (That image gets automatically loaded the next time Tux Paint is re-run, unless the"--startblank"option is set.)
(Created when Tux Paint is Quit.)
$HOME/.tuxpaint/lockfile.datโ a lockfile that stops Tux Paint from being launched more than once every 30 seconds. Turn off lockfile checking with the"--nolockfile"option.
(There's literally no reason to delete the lockfile, since it holds a timestamp inside that makes it expire after 30 seconds anyway.)
$XDG_CONFIG_HOME[XDG_PICTURES_DIR]/TuxPaint/โ a directory where images and animations should be exported (via options found in Tux Paint's Open dialog), unless the"--exportdir"option is used to override it. If"$XDG_CONFIG_HOME"is set, a configuration file named"user-dirs.dirs"will be scanned within the directory it points to; if it's not set, Tux Paint will try to do that inside"$HOME/.config/"instead. If a setting named"XDG_PICTURES_DIR"is found, that's what gets used as the spot to export images to. And if all of that fails? Then"$HOME/Pictures/"gets used. A"TuxPaint"subdirectory will be created. โจ$XDG_DATA_HOME/Trash/or$HOME/.local/share/Trash/โ a directory where images get placed when the Erase option is used from the Open dialog. ๐๏ธ
๐ COPYRIGHT ๐
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
๐ซ OTHER INFO ๐ซ
Okay so bestie, there's literally a whole documentation set that ships with Tux Paint, and it has further instructions on how to use all the program's features. Go read it, it's giving โจ well-documented โจ.
And the canonical place to find Tux Paint information โ the main character of URLs, no cap โ is at https://tuxpaint.org/ ๐
๐ AUTHORS ๐
Lead developer and project manager: Bill Kendrick <bill@newbreedsoftware.com>. He is the blueprint fr fr ๐
And then โ okay this is the part where I get emotional ๐ฅน โ with patches, fixes, extensions, porting, translations, documentation, and more from so many people, including, but probably not limited to (see AUTHORS.txt and CHANGES.txt for the receipts, iykyk):
the A/B squad showed up and ATE: ๐
Aki, Ashish Arora, A S Alam, Khalid Al Holan, Daniel Andersson, Hodorog Andrei, Joana Portia Antwi-Danso, Adorilson Bezerra de Araujo, Xandru Armesto, Ben Armstrong, Ravishankar Ayyakkannu,
Dwayne Bailey, Matรญas Bellone, Martin Benjamin, Besnik Bleta, Denis Bodor, Rahul Borade, Yacine Bouklif, Miguel Anxo Bouzada, Renรฉ Brandenburg, Herman Bruyninckx, Lucie Burianova, Laurentiu Buzdugan,
the C's came through: ๐ธ
Albert Cahalan, Pere Pujal i Carabantes, Hugo Carvalho, Felipe Castro, Ouychai Chaita, Zdenek Chalupskรฝ, Wei-Lun Chao, Jacques Chion, Ankit Choudary, Yuri Chornoivan, Abdoul Cisse, Urska Colner, Adam 'akanewbie' Corcoran, Helder Correia, Ricardo Cruz,
D squad, we love you: ๐ฆ
Magnus Dahl, Laurent Dhima, Chandrakant Dhutadmal, Yavor Doganov, Joe Dalton, Tim Dickson, Dawa Dolma, Kevin Donnelly, Dovix, Korvigellou An Drouizig (Philippe), Serhij Dubyk,
E squad, iconic: โจ
Ander Elortondo, Alberto Escudero-Pascual,
F squad, absolutely slaying: ๐
T. Surya Fajri, Jamil Farzana, Fasokan, Sveinn รญ Felli, Emanuel Feruzi, Doruk Fisek, Flavia Floris, Fรฒram na Gร idhlig, Fabian Franz, Derrick Frimpong, Martin Fuhrer, Fula Localization Project,
G squad, main character energy: ๐
Alexander Gabillondo, Tรถrรถk Gรกbor, Gabriel Gazzan, Robert Buj Gelonch, Olesya Gerasimenko, Alexander Geroimenko, Torsten Giebl, Harvey Ginter, Solomon Gizaw, Robert Glowczynski, Chris Goerner, Mikel Gonzรกlez, Volker Grabsch, The Greek Linux i18n Team, Edmund GRIMLEY EVANS, Frederico Goncalves Guimaraes,
H squad, obsessed with y'all: ๐
HackerGene, Joe Hanson, Sam "Criswell" Hart, Guy Hed, Farinaz Hedayat, Prasanta Hembram, Willem Heppe, Tedi Heriyanto, Pjetur G. Hjaltason, Knut Erik Hollund, Henrik Holst, Khaled Hosny, Henry House, Mohomodou Houssouba, Song Huang, Karl Ove Hufthammer,
I squad, real ones: ๐
Roland Illig, Daniel Illingworth, Indigenas Sin Fronteras, Juan Irigoien, Students of Vocational Higher Secondary School Irimpanam, Itai, Dmitriy Ivanov,
J squad, no notes: ๐ซถ
Mogens Jaeger, Lis Gรธthe รญ Jรกkupsstovu, Nedjeljko Jedvaj, Aleksandar Jelenak, Rasmus Erik Voel Jensen, Lauri Jesmin, Wang Jian, Amed ร. Jiyan, Klaus Ade Johnstad, Petri Jooste, Richard June,
K squad, the way that you all contributedโฆ ๐ญ
Andrej Kacian, Thomas Kalka, Alevtina Karashokova, Carole Karema, Jorma Karvonen, Yannis Kaskamanidis, Kazuhiko, Gabor Kelemen, Mark Kim, Thomas Klausner, Koby, Marcin 'Shard' Konicki, Ines Kovacevic, Mantas Kriauciunas, Freek de Kruijf, Andrzej M. Krzysztofowicz, Anand Kulkarni, Enes Burhan KURAN, Piotr Kwilinski, Serafeim Kyriaki,
L squad, literally legendary: โญ
J.F.M. Lange, Matthew Lange, Fabio Lazarin, Niko Lewman, Arkadiusz Lipiec, Ricky Lontoc, Dag H. Loras, Burkhard Luck,
M squad went OFF: ๐ฅ
Nuno Magalhรฃes, Vincent Mahlangu, Ankit Malik, Neskie Manuel, Fred Ulisses Maranhao, Yannig MARCHEGAY (Kokoyaya), Jorge Mariano, Martin, Sergio Marques, Pheledi Mathibela, Scott McCreary, Marco Milanesi, Never Min, Kartik Mistry, Viateur MUGENZI, Mugunth, Benson Muite, Noรซlla Mupole, Steve Murphy, Samuel Murray (Groenkloof),
N squad, periodt: ๐
Philibert Ndandali, Shumani Mercy Nehulaudzi, Mikkel Kirkgaard Nielsen, Alesis Novik, Nudjaree, Daniel Nylander,
O squad, cute: ๐ง
Olli, Sven Ollino, James Olweny, Teresa Orive, Gareth Owen,
P squad, we see you: ๐ธ
Quentin PAGรS, Sorin Paliga, Yannis Papatzikos, Nikolay Parukhin, Cas Pascal, Alessandro Pasotti, Flavio Pastor, Patrick, George Patrick, Primoz Peterlin, Le Quang Phan, Henrik Pihl, Auk Piseth, Pablo Pita, Milan Plzik, Eric Poncet, Sergei Popov, John Popplewell,
R squad, royalty: ๐
Ivana Rakic, Adam 'foo-script' Rakowski, Rodrigo Perez Ramirez and Indigenas Sin Fronteras, Sebastian Rasmussen, Robert Readman, Leandro Regueiro, Samir Ribiฤ, Jozef ลรญha, Simona Riva, Michael de Rooij, Robin Rosenberg, Philipp Rรถsner, Ilir Rugova, Jaroslav Rynik,
S squad, absolutely unhinged amounts of talent: ๐
Bert Saal, Ibraahiima SAAR, Saikumar, Pablo Saratxaga, Samuel Sarpong, Kevin Patrick Scannell, Stephanie Schilling, Luc 'Begasus' Schrijvers, Kiriaki SERAFEIM, Pavithran Shakamuri, Savitha Shankar, Terrence Sheflin, Gia Shervashidze, Clytie Siddall, Kliment Simoncev, sipho, Tomas Skรคre, Sokratis Sofianopoulos, Khoem Sokhem, Songhay localisation and dictionary project, Geert Stams, Peter Sterba, Raivis Strogonovs, Luis C. Suรกrez, Sugar Labs i18n team,
T squad, ate and left no crumbs: โจ
Tomasz 'karave' Tarach, Michal Terbert, Will Thompson, Ignacio Tike, Tilo, Tarmo Toikkanen, TOYAMA Shin-ichi, Niall Tracey, Gerasim Troeglazov, tropikhajma, Peter Tuhรกrsky, Florence Tushabe,
U squad: ๐
Matej Urbanฤiฤ,
V squad: ๐ฆ
Vankata453, Rita Verbauskaite, Daniel Jose Viana, Charles Vidal,
W squad: ๐
Darrell Walisser, Frank Weng,
Y squad: ๐
Damian Yerrick,
and the Z squad, closing us out: ๐
Muhammad Najmi Ahmad Zabidi, ่งไผ ๆ, Eugene Zelenko, Martin Zhekov, and Huang Zuzhen.
Not me getting genuinely misty over a credits list ๐ญ every single one of these people helped make Tux Paint what it is.
๐ SEE ALSO ๐
Go look at your other faves, bestie:
tuxpaint-import(1)tuxpaint-config(1)tp-magic-config(1)xpaint(1)gpaint(1)gimp(1)kolourpaint(1)krita(1)gcompris(1)
And documentation within /usr/[local/]share/doc/tuxpaint/0.9.35/. ๐ซถ
And that's a wrap on this whole manpage, bestie!! ๐ This was Tux Paint version 0.9.35, dated May 26, 2025, and the page itself is TUXPAINT(1). Go make something cute, okay? Slay โจ๐๐ฆ
๐ฆ where this page comes from
- alpine 3.24: tuxpaint-doc 0.9.35-r0 ยท GPL-2.0-or-later
- fedora 43: tuxpaint 1:0.9.35-2.fc43 ยท GPL-2.0-or-later
- fedora 44: tuxpaint 1:0.9.35-4.fc44 ยท GPL-2.0-or-later
- nixos 26.05: tuxpaint 0.9.35
- nixpkgs unstable: tuxpaint 0.9.35
- ubuntu resolute: tuxpaint 1:0.9.35-1 ยท GPL-2.0-or-later
- ubuntu stonking: tuxpaint 1:0.9.35-1 ยท GPL-2.0-or-later
- ๐ girlified by deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V4.1-Flash on : a language model's rewrite of the original, under its terms