As CentOS 7 reaches its end-of-life, the VFX and animation industries find themselves at a technological crossroads. The 2024 VFX/Animation Studio Linux Report, prepared by the Visual Effects Society Technology Committee, offers a comprehensive view of this transition, shedding light on Linux workstation trends, studio preferences, and industry challenges.
This 2024 VFX/Animation Studio Linux Report is a call to action for the industry. As one respondent aptly summarized:
“Decisions would be made by those who will still be around in five years to maintain it.”
CentOS 7: The End of an Era
CentOS 7, the industry stalwart, officially reached end-of-life in June 2024. According to the report, 67 studios participated in the survey, representing a wide array of sizes and capabilities. Studios using Linux workstations must now pivot to newer distributions, and the survey reveals mixed progress in this transition:
- Distribution Trends: Many studios are adopting Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux, successors to CentOS, while others experiment with distributions like Ubuntu and Debian. Interestingly, several respondents indicated continued use of CentOS 7 alongside newer alternatives—a sign of the complexity involved in migration.
- Migration Progress: The report highlights that as of September 2024, only 56% of Linux workstations had been migrated from CentOS 7 across all studio sizes. Smaller studios reported a faster migration rate compared to larger operations.
One studio remarked, “Earlier alignment on targeted OS migrations as distros become EOL would prevent this scramble.”
Why Linux Rules (and Sometimes Sucks)
Let’s compare Linux and Windows in the context of VFX.
Linux Pros
- Performance: Linux is like that nerd in class who just works harder and smarter. It’s lean, stable, and doesn’t waste resources on unnecessary fluff. Perfect for rendering those crazy VFX shots.
- Security: It’s harder for malware to mess with Linux. Windows? That’s like leaving your front door open in a bad neighborhood.
- Cost: Linux is free. Studios love free. Windows is… not free.
- Customization: Want to make your OS look and act like something out of Blade Runner? Go nuts with Linux.
Linux Cons
- Ease of Use: Linux is like a cryptic puzzle box. Unless you’re a sysadmin or a hardcore techie, it can be intimidating.
- Vendor Support: Major software players like Adobe and Autodesk treat Linux like it’s invisible. As one studio said, “Better Linux support from Adobe and Autodesk would ease transitions.”
- Compatibility: Not everything works smoothly out of the box. Cue long nights for IT.
Windows Pros
- Ease of Access: It’s everywhere, and everyone knows how to use it.
- Software Support: Windows is the teacher’s pet for software developers. Everything runs on it.
- Plug-and-Play: Need a new device to work right away? Windows has your back.
Windows Cons
- Performance Issues: It’s a bit of a resource hog, especially compared to Linux.
- Security Woes: Malware loves Windows like a kid loves candy.
- Cost: Licensing fees add up fast, especially for big studios.
Remote Desktops: The New Normal
With hybrid work here to stay, 30% of artists now work on remote desktops. The survey showed Teradici (HP Anyware) and NoMachine as the go-to solutions. But it’s not all sunshine and roses. Studios are frustrated with limitations like lack of GPU-offloading or proper HDR support. One comment summed it up perfectly: “Would be great if Teradici could use GPU-offload mode with lossless protocol.”
So, Windows or Linux?
Here’s the deal: If you want raw power, security, and freedom (and don’t mind a steep learning curve), Linux is your friend. But if you value convenience, compatibility, and software support, Windows is still the king.
For VFX, Linux often wins because performance and cost trump convenience. But until the industry gets serious about better Linux support, studios will keep grumbling.
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