Open-source painting app releases major updates with Qt6 port for Linux users on March 24
The open source digital art application Krita announced the simultaneous launch of version 5.3 as a maintenance update to its stable branch and an entirely new release, version 6.0 built upon the latest Qt framework (Qt6). This major overhaul introduces significant improvements including enhanced Wayland support for better color management on Linux desktop environments alongside HDR capabilities in text rendering features previously available only during beta testing phases from early February.
Key Points
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1Krita released two simultaneous updates on March 24th from a shared codebase: version 5.3 for mature systems and an all-new major release of Krita 6.
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2The new update includes significant technical improvements such as full Wayland color management support, HDR capabilities in the compositor engine, and improved Docker recording tools to capture real-time work sessions.
Developments
Perspectives
Krita has released two simultaneous updates that are almost functionally identical but differ in their underlying toolkit: version 5.3 runs on mature Qt5 while version 6.0 is a new port to Qt6.
— [Mar 24, 17:03] Krita 5.3.0 Released! (News.tuxmachines.org)Krita's dual release includes significant improvements for modern operating systems and workflows, specifically enhanced Wayland support in version 6.0 alongside a completely new text engine.
— [Mar 24, 13:57] Krita Digital Painting App Released with Color Management Support (News.tuxmachines.org)The project has spent many years developing these versions from the same codebase to ensure that features are either rewritten or introduced for both releases.
— [Mar 24, 13:57] Krita Digital Painting App Released with Color Management Support (News.tuxmachines.org)Krita's new version brings a modern UI ported from the latest Qt6 open-source application framework and supports real-time recording via Docker.
— [Mar 24, 13:57] Krita Digital Painting App Released with Color Management Support (News.tuxmachines.org)Following an early February beta release, developers have issued versions that offer nearly identical features while utilizing different underlying toolkits to support various user needs.
— [Mar 24, 13:57] Krita Digital Painting App Released with Color Management Support (News.tuxmachines.org)Krita has simultaneously released versions 5.3.0 (based on Qt) as a stable option for production work and an experimental version 6.0 based on the new Qt framework, which includes native Wayland support with full color management protocol implementation but lacks some features found in earlier releases due to its early stage of development.
Krita has released versions 5.3 (Qt5) and the Qt6-based version 6.0, which are functionally identical but feature improved Wayland support in its newer release. Both updates include significant enhancements such as a new text tool with full OpenType compatibility, better HDR painting capabilities via an updated color management protocol for Linux users, refined vector editing tools, enhanced Adobe PSD handling on canvas, and various other rewritten features across the application suite.
Krita 6.0 has been released with features including Wayland color management support, modern UI updates via Qt 6, real-time recording capabilities through Docker recorder integration, new file format compatibility such as Radiance RGB and curve-linear perspective assistance. The update also completely revamps text handling to allow editing on canvas within vector shapes or paths while supporting most scripts for full functionality across all tools.