Scripted drawing with ImageMagick
Silhouette
ImageMagick can do more than just edit existing images. The free software can even be scripted to create simple drawings.
Although you would normally use a bona fide graphics program for drawing and painting, there are definitely situations in which you need to draw regular shapes in an image repeatedly at fixed intervals – as shown here, for example, when creating the silhouette of an imaginary city (Figure 1). This does not require an expensive graphics program with a sophisticated macro language. Using the free and open source ImageMagick software package at the command line is more than up to this task.
Figure 1: Picture of a skyline created with ImageMagick. You can pass in the number of windows and floors as parameters.
To compose more extensive images, you will need the support of a scripting language such as Bash, which uses loops and other control structures to repeatedly insert image content into the graphic. ImageMagick can be found in the package sources of most Linux distributions, but it can also be downloaded for installation from the download section of the project page [1].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.