[Suggestion] Linux Version

[TheOmninaut]

linux version, preferably appimage, would be amazing for steamdeck and steamgames

[qarnet]

How hard would it be do make that happen? Are the libraries used mostly non linux compatible, or are there no possible alternatives? It would be nice to just have a rough outline of what steps would be needed to make this linux compatible. I'd be willing to help with developing it as well, as I'm familiar with both c++ and linux (though more with embedded linux, when it comes to actual development).

[mausimus]

I was thinking about a Linux version but haven't looked too closely yet, it is however going to be bit of a challenge:

• pretty much a full rewrite since SG currently hugs Windows APIs very closely
• what capture APIs are available on Linux (X and/or Wayland)? is "glass mode" even possible (requires capturing desktop excluding own window)
• shader back-end would need to be rewritten from Direct3D 11 to probably Vulkan (or could use librashader perhaps)
• new UI using Qt, GTK or ImGui; SG uses certain tricks to allow clicking-through SG window so one can use the app that's behind it; not sure that'll be possible on X or Wayland

Capture APIs are the biggest unknown so the first step would be a proof-of-concept of an app that just captures the desktop on Linux to see what would be possible, adding shaders is the easier bit.

[qarnet]

Alright, sounds like a solid first step to try to get a Linux version working. I'll be sure to try to look into it in my free time!

[TheOmninaut]

Wayland got a capture protocol last year so it is actually supported now. Mainly being used by OBS and screen recorders so if it works for that I'd imagine it should work for this.

If I could offer a suggestion, ignore X11. It's been unmaintained and the entirety of Linux is almost done transitioning away from it. X11 is archaic and effectively abandonware. Wayland is the new default with every major desktop environment so it's what everyone will be using by default moving forward.

X11 support would only be useful for running old versions of applications on old unupdated systems. Not really worth the work IMHO.