Best Distro for Linux begginer, into 3D animation?

finkgab

Hello,

I'm going to begin my 3D animation studies in a month or so, and I need to build a nice computer that is able to handle 'heavy duty' (while still amateur) projects.

I'll be building a computer soon and I was considering of installing Linux instead of Windows.

I've only used Windows, and I feel very comfortable with it (for 10 years aprox), but I've been reading a lot about how Linux is better, and I'm willing to give it a try. Not to mention that it will save me ~220 dollars.

Today I'm going to give Ubuntu a try (sadly, I can't install it, but I'll run it from the CD). But I wanted to get recommendations on what the best distro for 3D animation and graphic design would be.

The parts I'll get are these:

- XMS2 DDR2 4Gb (2x2Gb) Twin2x4096

- Intel CPU Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66 GHz Box (775)

- HDD Sata2 500Gb 7200 rpm

- Video PCIE GF9600 GT 1024mb DDR2

- M/B: INTEL DP45DP

Would there be any problem with these pieces running on Linux?

Second, if you have any knowledge on building computers, would that be a good rig for the chores I mentioned above? If you have any comments, or think I should change something, please say

I'm getting advice from someone who knows what he's doing, but the more opinions the better.

If it's of any relevance: I'm only using Blender now, but I'll have to switch to Maya at university.

EDIT: It HAS to be stable, very stable, to support ~5 hours or more of steady work without crashing.

My Win XP has barely crashed, and I read that Ubuntu wouldnt do the trick.

Thanks for reading

- Gabriel

Goineasy9

If you've read about stability problems with Ubuntu, it probably relates to Ubuntu's latest release. Previous releases of Ubuntu, along with most other Linux distributions are very stable.
For 3D authoring, the apps you need are available for most Linux distros, you just point and click to install. If your looking for a distro that comes prepared and includes everything you need, you might want to try the recent release of ArtistX, which is based on an older stable version of Ubuntu. Link here:
http://www.artistx.org/site2/

ceduardov

Hello, I think that some one Linux distribution how Debian or Ubuntu can help your objetive, but I Was serching and finded this resource http://ubuntustudio.org

And the Other thing Is the Software, see this:

http://www.blender.org/ It is a 3D modeler.
http://www.gimp.org/ It is a Graphical processor

See you.

finkgab

Thanks for the replies, and for clearing that about Ubuntu stability.

So, just to make sure I understand, the only difference between Artistx or UbuntuStudio and Ubuntu are the pre-installed programs?
If that's the case, it wouldnt be of much relevance, as I'm already using Blender and GIMP.
So there's no difference in performance?

Goineasy9

You're correct, it's mainly installed programs, although some distros do optimization to enhance some of the apps they include. I don't know if ArtistX or UbuntuStudio do any enhancing, they mainly include apps that are specific to the needs of their users.

TsaniApani

I would recommend Mandriva 2008, not 2007, nor 2009. Mandriva 2008 is one of the few distros that will deal with your multi-core and graphics card up front at the time of install. No fetching crap off the internet needed!