Arch Linux User Repository

Hi everyone:

We're just a couple of days out from the closing of the substance3d site. From what I gather, that means it's the end of updates for this AUR package, unless there's a surprise build upstream before the end of the month.

If you wish to continue getting new versions of the Substance suite, I highly suggest picking it up on Steam, because that is the only place where Linux builds will be maintained anymore. You might want to wait until "Substance 3D Painter 2023" is available, though, as then you'll get more updates for your money.

In case, for whatever reason, anyone wants to continue using this (Allegorithmic) package, I'll see about finding a way for users to download the builds themselves after the site's closing (maybe archive.org would help?). I already downloaded every build for myself, so if all else fails, I could just re-upload individual builds on a case basis, but I can see that idea not being popular.

Also, quick reminder: download your license file! If you want to continue using this package after EOL, you'll need it to authenticate yourself. Log into the substance3d site and go to the "Licenses" tab to find it.

Update: Now that the Substance accounts are EOL, users can no longer access their accounts, but it's still possible to redownload your old perpetual license keys. Adobe explains how in their Substance account end-of-life FAQ. As for downloading packages, I have bad news and good news. Bad news: I don't think I'll be publishing the build archive I've been working on. Between redirecting users, potential licensing issues, and security implications, it's pretty much a logistical nightmare. Good news: The existing official download links still work, so people can continue downloading the builds as long as they have the links. (No guarantees these links will continue to work into the future, and if they go down, then so will this package. Sorry!)

All right, my conversation with support about the closing of the old substance3d.com site has finally come to a close, so I suppose I can share what I've learned:

Anyone who currently has an Allegorithmic license (obtained through substance3d.com, the old site) will be able to use builds from the site (which are the basis for these AUR packages) for as long as their license is valid, even after the old site shuts down on September 30. (Make sure to back up your license key files in the meantime, just in case you need to reactivate the software afterward for whatever reason.)

You can also sign up for an Adobe account, but the Allegorithmic license will not transfer, and you'll have to buy a new license from Adobe. You can get a prorated refund for any Allegorithmic license fees after buying an Adobe license; just contact Adobe and provide invoices. I don't advise that for Linux users, though, because…

Standalone Linux builds like the ones used in these packages will remain available for download on the old site, but once the site goes down or your license expires, the only way to download the software on Linux will be on Steam, which you have to buy regardless of any existing licenses (Allegorithmic or Adobe). Adobe license holders will be able to download Substance through Creative Cloud, which is available on only Windows and Mac.

I wasn't able to ascertain whether the suite will continue to receive updates for Allegorithmic users all the way until the site comes to a close, but Allegorithmic builds are still being updated for now. I wouldn't hold my breath that this remains true for long, as the software's still on release 2021. The 2022 release of the software is probably just around the corner, and @lehthanis found out that it'll be available from Adobe or Steam only. (I couldn't verify this, but I guess we'll find out soon enough.)

More info on the transition to Adobe.com is available on the second half of the Substance homepage and on the dedicated FAQ.

Well, that doesn't look good. I don't have Adobe Cloud account and the old download links are gone. If someone has access and/or the download URLs of all Substance Linux apps, you can tell, and I update the AUR packages.

Alternatively, if there is someone with Adobe account who wants to maintain these packages, please tell me.

I spent some time with Adobe customer support and very angrily discovered that you absolutely SHOULD NOT convert your account to a substance subscription through the creative cloud. Your license WILL NOT WORK for this software. There is no standalone linux build for the Adobe Subscription model. This 2021 version will stop receiving updates around November and the 2022 version will be available for linux only on steam, so they tell me. It's probably going to be ~150 dollars and that purchase will cover the entire 2022 lifecycle, and you'll have to buy 2023 on steam when it comes out. Just FYI...DO NOT CONVERT TO ADOBE SUBSTANCE ACCOUNT!

Hi everyone:

We're just a couple of days out from the closing of the substance3d site. From what I gather, that means it's the end of updates for this AUR package, unless there's a surprise build upstream before the end of the month.

If you wish to continue getting new versions of the Substance suite, I highly suggest picking it up on Steam, because that is the only place where Linux builds will be maintained anymore. You might want to wait until "Substance 3D Painter 2023" is available, though, as then you'll get more updates for your money.

In case, for whatever reason, anyone wants to continue using this (Allegorithmic) package, I'll see about finding a way for users to download the builds themselves after the site's closing (maybe archive.org would help?). I already downloaded every build for myself, so if all else fails, I could just re-upload individual builds on a case basis, but I can see that idea not being popular.

Also, quick reminder: download your license file! If you want to continue using this package after EOL, you'll need it to authenticate yourself. Log into the substance3d site and go to the "Licenses" tab to find it.

Update: Now that the Substance accounts are EOL, users can no longer access their accounts, but it's still possible to redownload your old perpetual license keys. Adobe explains how in their Substance account end-of-life FAQ. As for downloading packages, I have bad news and good news. Bad news: I don't think I'll be publishing the build archive I've been working on. Between redirecting users, potential licensing issues, and security implications, it's pretty much a logistical nightmare. Good news: The existing official download links still work, so people can continue downloading the builds as long as they have the links. (No guarantees these links will continue to work into the future, and if they go down, then so will this package. Sorry!)

@digitalpotato: You can download older commits to (i.e. older versions of) the AUR package's git repository and make the package from that.

1. On the right sidebar by the package name, click "View Changes".

2. Find the commit for the version you want to install, and open its page. (I'm guessing you'll want the one that says "Updated to 7.1.1-954")

3. Click the blue link beside the word "download". It should download a file called aur-[commit].tar.gz.

4. Extract the tarball to a directory of your choice, then open that directory in a terminal.

5. Run makepkg to install that package.

I can't find where ti donwload version 7.11. That is the last version I've paid

The Steam version does say it's for 2022, but the release version number is still the same as Allegorithmic's, which is 7 for Painter, 11 for Designer, and 3 for Sampler (on Allegorithmic's site, these are all also listed as version 2021). Some update news announcements on Steam indicate that the current versions will be the final feature updates for the 2021 release though, which is where I base my statement that release 2022 is just around the corner.

I have a student license for this software, and I hardly use it, so I'm not looking to buy the Steam version if I can avoid it. That's why I'll be sticking to Allegorithmic for as long as possible. For most users, though, I do agree; just get it on Steam when your license runs out.

The 2022 versions are now available on steam already. I've already abandoned the allegorithmic builds and switched to steam. If you intend to continue to work on Linux with modern substance versions, avoid dealing with adobe at all costs. Go to steam. The price is about the same as an annual subscription but you don't get the points, or access to the other programs. I only use designer and painter though so it worked out.

All right, my conversation with support about the closing of the old substance3d.com site has finally come to a close, so I suppose I can share what I've learned:

Anyone who currently has an Allegorithmic license (obtained through substance3d.com, the old site) will be able to use builds from the site (which are the basis for these AUR packages) for as long as their license is valid, even after the old site shuts down on September 30. (Make sure to back up your license key files in the meantime, just in case you need to reactivate the software afterward for whatever reason.)

You can also sign up for an Adobe account, but the Allegorithmic license will not transfer, and you'll have to buy a new license from Adobe. You can get a prorated refund for any Allegorithmic license fees after buying an Adobe license; just contact Adobe and provide invoices. I don't advise that for Linux users, though, because…

Standalone Linux builds like the ones used in these packages will remain available for download on the old site, but once the site goes down or your license expires, the only way to download the software on Linux will be on Steam, which you have to buy regardless of any existing licenses (Allegorithmic or Adobe). Adobe license holders will be able to download Substance through Creative Cloud, which is available on only Windows and Mac.

I wasn't able to ascertain whether the suite will continue to receive updates for Allegorithmic users all the way until the site comes to a close, but Allegorithmic builds are still being updated for now. I wouldn't hold my breath that this remains true for long, as the software's still on release 2021. The 2022 release of the software is probably just around the corner, and @lehthanis found out that it'll be available from Adobe or Steam only. (I couldn't verify this, but I guess we'll find out soon enough.)

More info on the transition to Adobe.com is available on the second half of the Substance homepage and on the dedicated FAQ.

@blenux: While I'm not familiar with the development process, I heard a stat for a lot of software that Linux users make up ~1% of some software's user-base but could account for as much as 80% of bug reports, so in many cases, it probably isn't worth it. That said, according to a Reddit thread (Not the best source, I know), this is exactly the kind of software that does warrant Linux builds.

Even so, of what I know about Adobe (which is actually quite little, as I don't care for their software), Creative Cloud is Windows/Mac only, and that's how Adobe builds are distributed outside of Steam. Thus, my being pretty sure this is the end for Substance AUR packages, at least for now.

@Rain_Shinotsu (follow-up): I've still been in a conversation with Substance(/Adobe?) support, and so far, I have learned that as long as you back up your Substance license key file and these builds before the old site closes down, you can still use Substance builds (such as the builds offered by these AUR packages) until your license expires, even after the shutdown date.

I also tried (re)iterating my questions about the future of Substance builds and how migrating accounts would affect our ability to install and use new versions of the software, but it's been over a day and I have yet to hear back. They did say up to 48 hours, but I'm surprised considering how quickly they got back to me after my initial message.

Update: All I had to do was wait a few more hours, as I got a response. I think I understand the transition process now, but I'm just going to confirm it with the support agent before I share what I've learned, in case I made an error. From what I can tell though, it's not the end quite yet.

Not all that surprised, Adobe will eventually make it appear that the Linux version is not worth development time to be spent on, it's there plan all along.

All of the packages that needed updating have been updated. I've gotten into contact with Adobe to see if there will be future builds available for Linux outside of Steam. My guess is no, so this could very well be the last update these packages will see, at least for the foreseeable future. I'll keep you all posted though, just in case.