Tux Paint Frequently Asked Questions

#
version 0.9.34
Frequently Asked Questions

Copyright © 2002-2024 by various contributors; see AUTHORS.txt.
https://tuxpaint.org/

July 17, 2024

Table of Contents
Drawing-related Interface Problems Printing Saving Audio Problems Fullscreen Mode Problems Other Problems Help / Contact

## Drawing-related

Fonts I added to Tux Paint only show squares
  The TrueType Font you're using might have the wrong encoding. If it's 'custom' encoded, for example, you can try running it through FontForge (http://fontforge.sourceforge.net/) to convert it to an ISO-8859 format. (Email us if you need help with special fonts.)
The Rubber Stamp tool is greyed out!

  This means that Tux Paint either couldn't find any stamp images, or was asked not to load them.

  If you installed Tux Paint, but did not install the separate, optional "Stamps" collection, quit Tux Paint and install it now. It should be available from the same place you got the main Tux Paint program. (Note: As of version 0.9.14, Tux Paint comes with a small collection of example stamps.)

  If you don't want to install the default collection of stamps, you can just create your own. See the "Extending Tux Paint" documentation for more on creating PNG and SVG image files, TXT text description files, Ogg Vorbis, MP3 or WAV sound files, and DAT text data files that make up stamps.

  Finally, if you installed stamps, and think they should be loading, check to see that the "nostamps" option isn't being set. (Either via a "`--nostamps`" option to Tux Paint's command line, or "`nostamps=yes`" in the configuration file.)

  Either change/remove the "nostamps" option, or you can override it with "`--stamps`" on the command line or either "`nostamps=no`" or "`stamps=yes`" in a configuration file.

Stamp outlines are always rectangles

  Tux Paint was built with low-quality (but faster) stamp outlines.

  To change this, you must rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure to remove or comment out any line that says:

  > `#define LOW_QUALITY_STAMP_OUTLINE`

  in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

## Interface Problems

Stamp thumbnails in the Stamp Selector look bad

  Tux Paint was probably compiled with the faster, lower quality thumbnail code enabled. Run the command: "`tuxpaint --verbose-version`" from a command line. If, amongst the other output, you see the text: "Low Quality Thumbnails enabled", then this is what's happening.

  To change this, you must rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure to remove or comment out any line that says:

  > `#define LOW_QUALITY_THUMBNAILS`

  in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

Pictures in the 'Open' dialog look bad
  "Low Quality Thumbnails" is probably enabled. See: "Stamp thumbnails in the Stamp Selector look bad", above.
All of the text is in uppercase!

  The "uppercase" option is on.

  Either change/remove the "uppercase" option, or you can override it with "`--mixedcase`" on the command line or either "`uppercase=no`" or "`mixedcase=yes`" in a configuration file.

Tux Paint is in a different language
  Make sure your locale setting is correct. See "Tux Paint won't switch to my language", below.
Tux Paint won't switch to my language
  - Linux and Unix users: Make sure the locale is available

    Make sure the locale you want is available. Check your "/etc/locale.gen" file. See the "Options Documentation" for the locales Tux Paint uses (especially when using the "`--lang`" option).

    Note: Debian and derivative (e.g., Ubuntu) users can simply run "`dpkg-reconfigure locales`" if the locales are managed by "dpkg".

  - If you're using the "`--lang`" command-line option

    Try using the "`--locale`" command-line option, or your operating system's locale settings (e.g., the "`$LANG`" environment variable), and please e-mail us regarding your trouble.

  - If you're using the "`--locale`" command-line option

    If this doesn't work, please e-mail us regarding your trouble.

  - If you're trying to use your Operating System's locale

    If this doesn't work, please e-mail us regarding your trouble.

  - Make sure you have the necessary font

    Some translations require their own font. Chinese and Korean, for example, need Chinese and Korean TrueType Fonts installed and placed in the proper location, respectively.

    The appropriate fonts for such locales can be downloaded from the Tux Paint website:

    > https://tuxpaint.org/download/fonts/

## Printing

Tux Paint won't print, gives an error, or prints garbage (Unix/Linux)

  Tux Paint prints by creating a PostScript rendition of the picture and sending it to an external command. By default, this command is the "`lpr`" printing tool.

  If that program is not available (for example, you're using CUPS, the Common Unix Printing System, and do not have "`cups-lpr`" installed), you will need to specify an appropriate command using the "`printcommand`" option in Tux Paint's configuration file. (See the "Options Documentation".)

  Note: Versions of Tux Paint prior to 0.9.15 used a different default command for printing, "`pngtopnm | pnmtops | lpr`", as Tux Paint output PNG format, rather than PostScript.

  If you had changed your "printcommand" option prior to Tux Paint 0.9.15, you will need to go back and alter it to accept PostScript.

I get the message "You can't print yet!" when I go to print

  The "print delay" option is on. You can only print once every X seconds.

  If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not giving it a "`--printdelay=...`" option.

  If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the properties of the icon to see if "`--printdelay=...`" is listed as a command-line argument.

  If a "`--printdelay=...`" option isn't being sent on the command line, check Tux Paint's configuration file for a line reading: "`printdelay=...`".

  Either remove that line, set the delay value to 0 (no delay), or decrease the delay to a value you prefer. (See the "Options Documentation".)

  Or, you can simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "`--printdelay=0`", which will override the configuration file's setting, and allow unlimited printing. (You won't have to wait between prints.)

I simply can't print! The button is greyed out!

  The "no print" option is on.

  If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not giving it a "`--noprint`" option.

  If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the properties of the icon to see if "`--noprint`" is listed as a command-line argument.

  If a "`--noprint`" option isn't being sent on the command line, check Tux Paint's configuration file for a line reading: "`noprint=yes`".

  Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "`--print`", which will override the configuration file's setting.

  Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Allow Printing" (under "Printing") is checked.

## Saving

Where does Tux Paint save my drawings?

  Unless you asked Tux Paint to save into a specific location (using the "savedir" option), Tux Paint saves into a standard location on your local drive:

  Windows Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11
    In the user's "AppData" folder:
    e.g., "`C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\TuxPaint\saved\`"
  macOS
    In the user's "Application Support" folder:
    e.g., "`/Users/username/Library/Application Support/TuxPaint/saved/`"
  Linux / Unix
    In the user's "home directory" folder:
    e.g., "`/home/username/.tuxpaint/saved/`"
  Haiku
    In the user's "settings" folder:
    e.g., "`/boot/home/config/settings/TuxPaint/saved/`"

  The images are stored as PNG bitmaps, which most modern programs should be able to load (image editors, word processors, web browsers, etc.)

Tux Paint always saves over my old picture

  The "save over" option is enabled. (This disables the prompt that would appear when you click 'Save.')

  If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not giving it a "`--saveover`" option.

  If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the properties of the icon to see if "`--saveover`" is listed as a command-line argument.

  If a "--saveover" option isn't being sent on the command line, check Tux Paint's configuration file for a line reading: "saveover=yes".

  Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "`--saveoverask`", which will override the configuration file's setting.

  Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Ask Before Overwriting" (under "Saving") is checked.

  Also, see "Tux Paint always saves a new picture!", below.

Tux Paint always saves a new picture!

  The "never save over" option is enabled. (This disables the prompt that would appear when you click 'Save.')

  If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not giving it a "`--saveovernew`" option.

  If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the properties of the icon to see if "`--saveovernew`" is listed as a command-line argument.

  If a "`--saveovernew`" option isn't being sent on the command line, check Tux Paint's configuration file for a line reading: "`saveover=new`".

  Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "`--saveoverask`", which will override the configuration file's setting.

  Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Ask Before Overwriting" (under "Saving") is checked.

  Also, see "Tux Paint always saves over my old picture!", above.

## Audio Problems

There's no sound!
  - First, check the obvious:
    - Are your speakers connected and turned on?
    - Is the volume turned up on your speakers?
    - Is the volume turned up in your Operating System's "mixer?"
    - Are you certain you're using a computer with a sound card?
    - Are any other programs running that use sound? (They may be 'blocking' Tux Paint from accessing your sound device)
    - (Unix/Linux) Are you using a sound system, such as aRts, ESD or GStreamer? If so, try setting the "SDL_AUDIODRIVER" environment variable before running Tux Paint (e.g., "`export SDL_AUDIODRIVER=arts`"). Or, run Tux Paint through the system's rerouter (e.g., run "`artsdsp tuxpaint`" or "`esddsp tuxpaint`", instead of simply "`tuxpaint`").
  - Is sound disabled in Tux Paint?

    If sound seems to work otherwise (and you're sure no other program is "blocking" the sound device), then Tux Paint may be running with a "no sound" option.

    If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not giving it a "--nosound" option.

    If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the properties of the icon to see if "--nosound" is listed as a command-line argument.

    If a "`--nosound`" option isn't being sent on the command line, check Tux Paint's configuration file for a line reading: "`nosound=yes`".

    Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "`--sound`", which will override the configuration file's setting.

    Or, you can simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "Enable Sound Effects", which will override the configuration file's setting, and allow unlimited printing. (You won't have to wait between prints.)

  - Were sounds temporarily disabled?

    Even if sounds are enabled in Tux Paint, it is possible to disable and re-enable them temporarily using the [Alt] + [S] key sequence. Try pressing those keys to see if sounds begin working again.

  - Was Tux Paint built without sound support?

    Tux Paint may have been compiled with sound support disabled. To test whether sound support was enabled when Tux Paint was compiled, run Tux Paint from a command line, like so:

    > `tuxpaint --verbose-version`

    If, amongst the other information, you see "Sound disabled", then the version of Tux Paint you're running has sound disabled. Recompile Tux Paint, and be sure NOT to build the "nosound" target. (i.e., don't run "`make nosound`") Be sure the SDL_mixer library and its development headers are available!

Tux Paint makes too much noise! Can I turn them off?

  Yes, there are a number of ways to disable sounds in Tux Paint:

  - Press [Alt] + [S] while in Tux Paint to temporarily disable sounds. (Press that key sequence again to re-enable sounds.)
  - Run Tux Paint with the "no sound" option:
    - Run "`tuxpaint --nosound`" from the command line or shortcut or desktop icon.
    - Edit Tux Paint's configuration file (see "Options Documentation" for details) and add a line containing "`nosound=yes`".
    - Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Enable Sound Effects" (under "Video & Sound") is not checked.
    - Alternatively, recompile Tux Paint with sound support disabled. (See above, and the 'Install' documentation.
The stereo panning of sound effects is bothersome; can sound effects be monophonic?

  Run Tux Paint with the "no stereo" option:

  - Run "`tuxpaint --nostereo`" from the command line or shortcut or desktop icon.
  - Edit Tux Paint's configuration file (see "Options Documentation" for details) and add a line containing "`nostereo=yes`".
  - Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Enable Stereo Effects" (under "Video & Sound") is not checked.
The sound effects sound strange

  This could have to do with how SDL and SDL_mixer were initialized. (The buffer size chosen.)

  Please e-mail us with details about your computer system. (Operating system and version, sound card, which version of Tux Paint you're running (run "`tuxpaint --version`" to verify), and so on.)

## Fullscreen Mode Problems

When I run Tux Paint full-screen and [Alt] + [Tab] out, the window turns black!
  This is apparently a bug in the SDL library. Sorry.
When I run Tux Paint full-screen, it has large borders around it

  Linux users - Your X-Window server is probably not set with the ability to switch to the desired resolution: 800×600. (or whatever resolution you have Tux Paint set to run at.) (This is typically done manually under the X-Window server by pressing `[Control]` + `[Alt]` + `[Keypad Plus (+)]` and `[Control]` + `[Alt]` + `[Keypad Minus (-)]`.)

  For this to work, your monitor must support that resolution, and you need to have it listed in your X server configuration.

  Check the "Display" subsection of the "Screen" section of your XFree86 or X.org configuration file (typically "`/etc/X11/XF86Config-4`" or "`/etc/X11/XF86Config`", depending on the version of XFree86 you're using; 3.x or 4.x, respectively, or "`/etc/X11/xorg.conf`" for X.org).

  Add "`800x600`" (or whatever resolution(s) you want) to the appropriate "Modes" line. (e.g., in the "Display" subsection that contains 24-bit color depth ("Depth 24"), which is what Tux Paint tries to use.)

  > `Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"`

  Note that some Linux distributions have tools that can make these changes for you. Debian users can run the command "`dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86`" as root, for example.

Tux Paint keeps running in Full Screen mode - I want it windowed!

  The "fullscreen" option is set.

  If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not giving it a "`--fullscreen=...`" option.

  If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the properties of the icon to see if "`--fullscreen=yes`" or "`--fullscreen=native`" is listed as a command-line argument.

  If "`--fullscreen=yes`" or "`--fullscreen=native`" options aren't being sent on the command line, check Tux Paint's configuration file for a line reading: "`fullscreen=yes`" or "`fullscreen=native`".

  Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "`--windowed`" or "`--fullscreen=no`", which will override the configuration file's setting.

  Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Fullscreen" (under "Video & Sound") is not checked.

How do I access other applications when Tux Paint is running in Full Screen?
  - Windows and Linux users, try the `[Alt]` + `[Tab]` key combination to switch between applications.
  - macOS users, switch to other applications using `[Control]` + `[Left Arrow]`, then back to Tux Paint using `[Control]` + `[Right Arrow]`.

## Other Problems

Tux Paint won't run

  If Tux Paint aborts with the message: "You're already running a copy of Tux Paint!", this means it has been launched in the last 30 seconds. (On Unix/Linux, this message would appear in a terminal console if you ran Tux Paint from a command-line. On Windows, this message would appear in a file named "`stdout.txt`" in the same folder where `TuxPaint.exe` resides (e.g., in "`C:\Program Files\TuxPaint\`").

  A lockfile (e.g., "`/home/username/.tuxpaint/lockfile.dat`" on Linux and Unix, "`userdata\lockfile.dat`" on Windows) is used to make sure Tux Paint isn't run too many times at once (e.g., due to a child impatiently clicking its icon more than once).

  Even if the lockfile exists, it contains the 'time' Tux Paint was last run. If it's been more than 30 seconds, Tux Paint should run fine, and simply update the lockfile with the current time.

  If multiple users are sharing the directory where this file is stored (e.g., on a shared network drive), then you'll need to disable this feature.

  To disable the lockfile, add the "`--nolockfile`" argument to Tux Paint's command-line, or "`nolockfile=yes`" to the configuration file.

Tux Paint launches very slowly

  The first time Tux Paint is launched (for a particular user), it may take a minute or more to respond. The font system used by Tux Paint (FontConfig, via Pango) is creating a 'cache' of information about the fonts on your system. Subsequent launches of Tux Paint should be fast.

  While the font cache is generated behind the scenes, Tux Paint should remain interactive (showing an animated 'please wait' animation) as this process runs.

  If this delay persists or reoccurs, it could be that the cache is being deleted — for example, in an environment (such as a school computer lab) where a system is returned into a default state when a user finishes using the program. Some versions of Tux Paint ship with a file, "`fonts.conf`" (documented at freedesktop.org), which can be modified to have FontConfig store the file elsewhere, e.g.:

  > `<cachedir>C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\fontconfig\cache</cachedir>`

I can't quit Tux Paint

  The "no quit" option is set. This disables the "Quit" button in Tux Paint's toolbar (greying it out), and prevents Tux Paint from being exited via the [Escape] key.

  If Tux Paint is not in fullscreen mode, simply click the window close button on Tux Paint's title bar. (i.e., the "ⓧ" at the upper right.)

  If Tux Paint is in fullscreen mode, you will need to use the [Shift] + [Control] + [Escape] sequence on the keyboard to quit Tux Paint.

  (Note: with or without "no quit" set, you can always use the [Alt] + [F4] combination on your keyboard to quit Tux Paint.)

I don't want "no quit" mode enabled!

  If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not giving it a "--noquit" option.

  If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the properties of the icon to see if "`--noquit`" is listed as a command-line argument.

  If a "`--noquit`" option isn't being sent on the command line, check Tux Paint's configuration file for a line reading: "`noquit=yes`".

  Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument: "`--quit`", which will override the configuration file's setting.

  Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Disable Quit Button and [Escape] Key" (under "Simplification") is not checked.

Tux Paint keeps writing weird messages to the screen / to a text file

  A few messages are normal, but if Tux Paint is being extremely verbose (like listing the name of every rubber-stamp image it finds while loading them), then it was probably compiled with debugging output turned on.

  To change this, you must rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure to remove or comment out any line that says:

  > `#define DEBUG`

  in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

Tux Paint is using options I didn't specify!

  By default, Tux Paint first looks at configuration files for options.

  - Windows

    Under Windows, it first examines the system-wide configuration file, located here:

    > `C:\Program Files\TuxPaint\tuxpaint.cfg`

    It then examines the user's personal configuration file:

    > `C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\TuxPaint\tuxpaint.cfg`

    Finally, any options sent as command-line arguments are used.

  - macOS

    Under macOS, it first examines the system-wide configuration file, located here:

    > `/Library/Application Support/TuxPaint/tuxpaint.cfg`

    It then examines the user's personal configuration file:

    > `/Users/username/Library/Application Support/TuxPaint/tuxpaint.cfg`

    Finally, any options sent as command-line arguments are used.

  - Linux / Unix

    Under Unix and Linux, it first examines the system-wide configuration file, located here:

    > `/etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.conf`

    It then examines the user's personal configuration file:

    > `/home/username/.tuxpaintrc`

    Finally, any options sent as command-line arguments are used.

  - Haiku

    Under Haiku, Tux Paint first examines the configuration file:

    > `/boot/home/config/settings/TuxPaint/tuxpaint.conf`

    Finally, any options sent as command-line arguments are used.

  This means that if anything is set in a configuration file that you don't want set, you'll need to either change the config. file (if you can), or override the option on the command-line.

  For example, on Linux and Unix, if "`/etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.conf`" includes this option to disable sound...

  > `nosound=yes`

  ...then you can reenable sound by either adding this option to your own "`/home/username/.tuxpaintrc`" file:

  > `sound=yes`

  ...or by using this command-line argument:

  > `--sound`

  On platforms where Tux Paint offers a system-wide configuration file, the settings in that file may be skipped (so only the user configuration file and other command-line arguments will be used) by including the following command-line argument:

  > `--nosysconfig`

## Help / Contact

Any questions you don't see answered? Please let us know! You can subscribe and post to our "tuxpaint-users" mailing list:

> https://tuxpaint.org/lists/

Or, contact lead developer Bill Kendrick directly:

> bill@newbreedsoftware.com