Cheese In Linux: A Beginner's Guide

how to use cheese in linux

Cheese is a webcam application for the GNOME desktop that allows users to take photos and videos with fun graphical effects. It was developed as a Google Summer of Code 2007 project by Daniel G. Siegel. It can be used to switch between multiple webcams with just one click and configure webcam settings such as brightness and contrast. In this article, we will discuss how to use Cheese in Linux, including how to install it, set it up, and utilize its various features to get the most out of your webcam.

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How to install Cheese on Linux

Cheese is a fun and easy-to-use application for Linux that lets you take photos and videos with your webcam and add special graphical effects. It is built using the GStreamer framework and is integrated with Nautilus, allowing you to easily share your creations with others.

To install Cheese on Linux, you can use the Snap Store, an app store with millions of users. Simply search for Cheese in the Snap Store and install it from there. If you are using Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) or later versions, Snap is already installed and ready to go. For earlier versions of Ubuntu, such as 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr) to 15.10 (Wily Werewolf), you can install Snap from the Ubuntu Software Centre by searching for snapd.

Alternatively, if you are using Linux Mint, you may encounter issues with the latest version of Cheese. In this case, you can try installing an older version via Flatpak. According to a user on the Linux Mint Subreddit, installing version 41.1 of Cheese resolved their issues.

Once you have installed Cheese, you can access it through the GNOME Desktop. Simply open the application and start shooting photos and videos with your webcam. You can add various effects, such as emoticons, adjust brightness and hue, change resolutions, and more. Cheese also offers a burst mode feature, allowing you to capture multiple photos in quick succession.

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How to use Cheese to take photos

Cheese is a webcam application for Linux that allows you to take photos and videos with fun graphical effects. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Cheese to take photos:

Step 1: Install Cheese

Make sure you have Cheese installed on your Linux system. You can download the latest version of Cheese from the Snap Store or the Ubuntu Software Centre.

Step 2: Launch Cheese

Once installed, open the Cheese application. You can usually find it in your applications menu or use the search feature to find and launch it.

Step 3: Set up your webcam

Connect your webcam to your Linux device if you haven't already done so. Cheese should automatically detect your webcam. If you're using an external webcam, make sure it's plugged into a working USB port.

Step 4: Adjust settings and effects

Play around with the settings and effects in Cheese to customize your photo. You can add fun graphical effects, frames, and other enhancements to your photos. These effects can be found in the Cheese interface, and you can preview them in real-time before taking your photo.

Step 5: Take the photo

When you're ready to take your photo, simply click the shutter button. The default shortcut key for taking a photo is usually Alt+T, but you can also find the shutter button within the Cheese interface.

Step 6: Save your photo

After taking your photo, you can save it to your desired location. Cheese will typically save images in formats like .jpg, .png, or .bmp, matching your screen or camera resolution. If you wish to save in a different format, you may need to use a different application or refer to community forums for workarounds.

Step 7: Share your creation (optional)

Cheese also allows you to share your photos easily. You can use the sharing options within the application to send your fun creations to your friends and family or share them on social media.

Remember to explore the different features and effects that Cheese offers to make the most of your photo-taking experience. Enjoy capturing memorable and fun photos with Cheese on Linux!

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How to use Cheese to record videos

Cheese is a simple tool for taking photos and recording videos on Linux. It can be used to record videos from your webcam, and it also works with any other device supported by the Linux UVC driver.

To record video with Cheese, first, make sure your webcam is plugged in and switched on. You can test if your webcam is working by using the luvcview program, which has been in the Universe repository since Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron). If it doesn't work, you may need to update the UVC driver.

Once your webcam is set up and working, open the Cheese application. You can then use the intuitive interface to start recording video. Cheese also allows you to apply fancy effects to your videos using GStreamer.

It's worth noting that Cheese only outputs in the WebM format, which may not be ideal for everyone. Additionally, it has limited settings for fine-tuning your recordings. If you need more advanced features, you might want to consider alternative software such as Guvcview or QtCAM. Guvcview is based on luvcview but offers a graphical user interface and more image control settings. QtCAM is another free, open-source Linux webcam software with over 10 image control settings.

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How to use Cheese with multiple webcams

Cheese is a Linux application that uses your webcam to take photos and videos, apply special effects, and share them with others. While Cheese is a great application, it is not designed for multi-camera use and does not support audio. If you are looking to use Cheese with multiple webcams, there are some potential workarounds you can try.

First, ensure that your webcam is compatible with Linux. Almost every webcam works with Linux, even newer ones like the Logitech 9000. If you are experiencing issues with Cheese not detecting your webcam, try reinstalling the application using the command "sudo apt-get --reinstall install cheese".

If you have multiple webcams connected and want to use them simultaneously with Cheese, you can try the following method: In your GUI environment, Cheese is typically started through a file called "cheese.desktop". This file is usually located in "$HOME/.config/cairo-dock/current_theme/launchers/cheese.desktop" or somewhere within the "$HOME/.config/" directory tree. You can also find the original file in "/usr/share/applications/cheese.desktop".

To run Cheese with multiple webcams simultaneously, follow these steps:

  • Create a temporary working directory and make two copies of the "cheese.desktop" file. Name them something like "camera1.desktop" and "camera2.desktop".
  • Edit both "camera1.desktop" and "camera2.desktop" files. Change the "Exec=cheese" line and the "Name=cheese" lines to differentiate between the two instances of Cheese.
  • Once you've made the changes, copy the modified files back to the "$HOME/.config/cairo-dock/current_theme/launchers/" directory, keeping the original file names ("camera1.desktop" and "camera2.desktop").
  • Now, when you run Cheese, it should open two separate instances, allowing you to select different webcams for each window.

It's important to note that Cheese performs a check to see if the app is already running, and it may not always create a new window. This method may require some experimentation and further troubleshooting. Additionally, there are alternative applications better suited for multi-camera use, such as "Zoneminder", "Motion", and "guvcview". These applications offer similar functionality and are designed to work seamlessly with multiple webcams or IP cameras.

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Troubleshooting common Cheese issues

If you're encountering problems with Cheese, the default webcam application in Linux, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try. Here are some solutions to common issues:

  • Lower the resolution: If Cheese displays an error while playing video from the webcam, try lowering the resolution for both photo and video settings. Open the Cheese preferences and change the resolution to the lowest setting (e.g., 160x120 or 800x448). This solution has worked for several users, although it may not persist across multiple openings of the application.
  • Reinstall ubuntu-desktop: If you're using Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and Cheese is not working properly, try reinstalling ubuntu-desktop. Run the command sudo apt install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop in the terminal. Then, open the "Additional Drivers" application and activate your webcam.
  • Install an older version: If Cheese stopped working after a Linux Mint update, you can try installing an older version of the application. The version 41.1 of Cheese, available via flatpak, has been reported to work for users encountering issues with newer versions.
  • Check permissions: If Cheese is not working on Gnome or XFCE, permissions may be the issue. Try running Cheese with sudo in the terminal. If it works, there's a permissions issue with your user account. You may need to add your user to a specific group or adjust permissions for the webcam device.
  • Disable Wayland: If Cheese is not working on Ubuntu 22.04, try disabling Wayland. Open a terminal and edit the /etc/gdm3/custom.conf file. Change the value of WylandEnable to false, then restart gdm3.
  • Install alternative applications: If none of the above solutions work, you may want to try alternative webcam applications. Kamoso is a lightweight application suggested by several users that works well and allows you to set destination folders.

Remember to make regular backups of your data and test them to avoid data loss during troubleshooting.

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Frequently asked questions

Cheese is a webcam application for the GNOME desktop. It allows users to take photos and videos with fun graphical effects.

To install Cheese on Linux, open a terminal window and run the Cheese application. Cheese should automatically detect your webcam and display a live video stream.

Once Cheese is running, click on the "photo" or "video" button and select "Take a Photo" or "Start Recording". You can also use the countdown widget to get into position before the photo is taken.

Yes, with Cheese 2.28, you can switch between multiple installed webcams with just one click. You can also set the resolution and configure webcam settings such as brightness and contrast.

Yes, you can export your files to F-Spot, put them on Flickr, mail them, or use them as your account photo in GNOME. You can also save them to your disk or upload them to other photo-sharing sites.

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