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How to Install ImageMagick Ubuntu [3 Easy Methods]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 6, 2024

Expert verified

TL;DR

To install ImageMagick Ubuntu, you can follow these steps:

Access the command-line interface on your Ubuntu system.
Run the command sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to refresh the package lists and perform system-wide updates for the latest features.
Retrieve the source code of ImageMagick by executing the command wget https://www.imagemagick.org/download/ImageMagick.tar.gz.
Unpack the contents of the downloaded archive using the command tar xf ImageMagick.tar.gz to access the source code and related files.

Continue reading the article below to learn to install ImageMagick on Ubuntu and explore advanced configuration and optimization options.

Have you ever struggled with editing or converting images on your Ubuntu system? I know how frustrating it can be to find the right tool for the job. Luckily, there is a solution: ImageMagick. This powerful software suite can handle all your image manipulation needs, from resizing and cropping to adding text overlays. In this post, I’ll walk you through what ImageMagick is, why you should install it on Ubuntu, and provide you with easy, step-by-step instructions to install ImageMagick Ubuntu. Plus, I’ll share some valuable tips to help you get the most out of ImageMagick.

What is ImageMagick and Why Install It?

ImageMagick is a software suite that allows you to create, edit, and convert bitmap images. It can read and write images in over 200 formats, including PNG, JPEG, GIF, and TIFF. You can use it to resize, rotate, crop, and add text overlays to images, among other tasks.

Why Install ImageMagick Ubuntu?

Benefits of Using ImageMagick on Ubuntu:

Performance Optimization: Ubuntu’s stability and performance enhance ImageMagick’s efficiency, especially for server-side applications.
Integration with Other Tools and Libraries: Easily integrates with other Linux-based tools and libraries, making it more powerful for developers.
Open-Source Nature and Community Support: Both ImageMagick and Ubuntu are open-source, providing free access to community support, frequent updates, and bug fixes.

How to Install ImageMagick on Ubuntu

To install ImageMagick Linux, you can use several methods. First, update your system with sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade. Then, install ImageMagick from the Ubuntu repository using sudo apt install imagemagick.

Alternatively, you can install it from the source by downloading the latest version, extracting it, and running ./configure, make, and sudo make install.

Here is a step-by-step guide for three different methods to ImageMagick Ubuntu install:

1. Installing from Ubuntu Repository

Installing ImageMagick from the Ubuntu repository is the simplest and most straightforward method. This method uses Ubuntu’s default package manager, ensuring that you get a stable and tested version of ImageMagick.

Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

To ensure your package list is up-to-date and your system is upgraded to the latest versions of packages, run the following commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

This process may take a few minutes, depending on the number of packages to be updated.

Once the system is updated, you can install ImageMagick by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt install imagemagick

If you need a specific version of ImageMagick, you can install it using:

sudo apt install imagemagick-6.q16

Press Y and hit Enter if prompted to confirm the installation.

installing specific version of imagemagick

To confirm that ImageMagick is installed correctly, check the version by running:

convert --version

This command should display the installed version of ImageMagick, indicating a successful installation.

2. Installing ImageMagick Using Source Code

Installing ImageMagick from source allows you to get the latest version and provides more control over the installation options. This method is suitable for users who need the most recent features or need to customize the installation.

Open a Terminal.

Update the package lists by running the following command:

$ sudo apt update

This command will update the list of available packages.

After the update is complete, upgrade the existing packages:

$ sudo apt upgrade

This will upgrade all the installed packages on your system.

Download the latest source code of ImageMagick by using the following command:

$ wget https://www.imagemagick.org/download/ImageMagick.tar.gz

Extract the downloaded file using the following command:

$ tar xf ImageMagick.tar.gz

This command will extract the contents of the downloaded archive.

extracting the downloaded file of imagemagick

Change into the extracted directory:

$ cd ImageMagick-7.1.1-12

This command will navigate to the extracted directory.

Configure the build options and dependencies:

$ ./configure

This command will configure the build options and check for any required dependencies.

configuring dependencies for imagemagick

Compile ImageMagick by running the following command:

$ make

Run the following command to install ImageMagick:

$ sudo make install

This command will install ImageMagick on your system.

To ensure that ImageMagick is successfully installed on your Ubuntu system, execute the following command to check the version of ImageMagick:

$ convert --version

The output will display the version information, indicating a successful installation if no errors are shown.

3. Installing ImageMagick via Ubuntu Software Center

For users who prefer a graphical interface, installing ImageMagick via the Ubuntu Software Center is a convenient and user-friendly method. This method involves using the Ubuntu Software Center to search for and install ImageMagick without needing to use the terminal.

Click on the Show Applications button in the lower-left corner of the screen (it looks like a grid of dots).

Search for Ubuntu Software and open it.

launching ubuntu software from application menu

In the search bar at the top of the Ubuntu Software Center, type ImageMagick. In the search results, look for the ImageMagick package. It should be listed as ImageMagick Image Manipulation Tools or similar.

searching for imagemagick in ubuntu software

Click on the ImageMagick entry to view more details. Click the Install button.

You may be prompted to enter your password to authorize the installation. Enter your password and proceed.

The installation process will begin. Wait for it to complete. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and system performance.

Once the installation is complete, you can verify it by opening a terminal and running:

convert --version

It will display the installed version of ImageMagick, confirming that the installation was successful.

verifying the installation of imagemagick

Tips for Using and Installing ImageMagick

Here are some tips to help you with installing and using ImageMagick effectively. These tips will guide you through common issues and optimize your experience with this powerful image manipulation tool. Let’s dive into the tips:

🛠️ Ensure System is Updated: Before installing ImageMagick, run sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade. This ensures your system has the latest package lists and software versions, preventing potential conflicts during installation.
💾 Check Dependencies: ImageMagick relies on several libraries. Install required dependencies using sudo apt install build-essential libjpeg-dev libpng-dev to avoid missing libraries during compilation or execution.
🧩 Use Proper Permissions: Install ImageMagick with sudo to ensure proper permissions. This prevents permission-related errors during installation and usage, especially when installing from source or performing system-wide operations.
🔄 Verify Installation: After installation, verify it by running convert --version. This checks that ImageMagick is correctly installed and ready to use, allowing you to catch any issues early.
🔧 Configure Policies: Customize ImageMagick’s policy.xml file to enhance security and performance. Adjusting memory and resource limits can optimize the tool’s efficiency, especially when processing large images.

Ubuntu Install ImageMagick: Final Thoughts

In this article, I’ve shown you how to install ImageMagick using the Ubuntu repository, from source code, and via the Ubuntu Software Center. Also shared why install Imagemagick on Ubuntu:

Learning how to check memory on Linux will enable you to monitor system resources and ensure that your setup can handle intensive image processing tasks.
Find out how to clear the apt cache in Ubuntu will help you maintain a clean and efficient package management system, preventing potential conflicts and freeing up disk space.
Exploring how to install and configure OpenSSH on Ubuntu will be useful if you need to remotely manage your ImageMagick server.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I uninstall ImageMagick from my Ubuntu system?

You can utilize the package manager to uninstall ImageMagick from your Ubuntu system. Open a Terminal and execute the following command: $ sudo apt remove imagemagick. This command will remove the ImageMagick package from your system, ensuring a clean uninstallation. It will remove all the installed files and dependencies associated with ImageMagick, freeing up disk space and leaving your system without any software traces.

Can I use ImageMagick for batch processing and automation tasks?

Absolutely! ImageMagick’s command-line interface is well-suited for batch processing and automation tasks. You can perform image processing operations on multiple images in a single command or automate repetitive tasks by scripting or utilizing programming language bindings. This capability allows you to streamline your image processing workflows and save significant time and effort. Whether you need to resize a collection of images, convert them to a different format, or apply filters uniformly, ImageMagick provides the necessary tools for efficient batch processing and automation.

Does ImageMagick support image metadata extraction and manipulation?

Yes, ImageMagick offers robust support for image metadata extraction and manipulation. Using ImageMagick, you can retrieve various image metadata attributes, including dimensions, color profiles, and EXIF data. Additionally, ImageMagick provides functionality to modify image metadata, such as adding or modifying titles, descriptions, keywords, or other relevant information. This feature is particularly useful when managing large image collections or when specific metadata needs to be updated or corrected. With ImageMagick’s metadata extraction and manipulation capabilities, you have fine-grained control over the metadata associated with your images.

Is there a graphical tool to visually compare images using ImageMagick?

Certainly! ImageMagick includes a command-line tool called compare that enables visual image comparison and highlights differences between two images. By executing the compare command with the appropriate parameters, ImageMagick generates a comparison image that visualizes the variations between the input images. This comparison image can be particularly useful when analyzing the variations between two similar images, identifying variations in pixel values, or identifying specific regions of differences. While the tool operates from the command line, it provides an efficient and effective way to compare images using ImageMagick’s powerful capabilities visually.

Can ImageMagick be integrated with Python or PHP?

Absolutely! ImageMagick provides bindings for popular programming languages like Python and PHP, enabling seamless integration of ImageMagick’s functionality into your code. Python users can leverage libraries such as Wand, PyMagick, or PythonMagick, which offer high-level interfaces for programmatically performing various image processing operations. For PHP developers, the Imagick extension provides a comprehensive set of functions to manipulate images using ImageMagick. With these language bindings, you can automate tasks such as image resizing, applying filters, compositing multiple images, or generating thumbnails effortlessly.

Ojash

Author

Ojash is a skilled Linux expert and tech writer with over a decade of experience. He has extensive knowledge of Linux's file system, command-line interface, and software installations. Ojash is also an expert in shell scripting and automation, with experience in Bash, Python, and Perl. He has published numerous articles on Linux in various online publications, making him a valuable resource for both seasoned Linux users and beginners. Ojash is also an active member of the Linux community and participates in Linux forums.

Akshat

Reviewer

Akshat is a software engineer, product designer and the co-founder of Scrutify. He's an experienced Linux professional and the senior editor of this blog. He is also an open-source contributor to many projects on Github and has written several technical guides on Linux. Apart from that, he’s also actively sharing his ideas and tutorials on Medium and Attirer. As the editor of this blog, Akshat brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to provide readers with valuable insights and advice on a wide range of Linux-related topics.