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Installation

There are a couple of ways to install Draw On Gnome. This will depend on your version of GNOME.

There are Many GNOME Versions!

To find out your version of GNOME open a terminal and type gnome-shell --version or go to Settings > System > About > System Details(1).

  1. 🙋‍♂️ Another fun way is to use the fastfetch or neofetch programs!

Option 1: Install from GNOME Extensions (ver. 50/49/48/47/46)

IMPORTANT!!: Currently, this will only install to GNOMEv46 through v50. If you need the extension for another version of GNOME, see Option 2.

Option 2: Use the Automated Script

This method will work for any version of GNOME from v40 - v50, and v3.24 - v.3.38

  1. Copy the following command to your Bash terminal and press enter to run it:

    bash <(wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/daveprowse/scripts/refs/heads/main/dog-install.sh)

    Warning

    IMPORTANT!! Always check scripts before running them! If you are uncomfortable running the script, or cannot run the script, then install manually with Option #2 below.

    Note: The script will identify your version of GNOME and install the correct version of the extension automatically.

    Note: You may need to enter your sudo password during the install. Make sure you are a sudoer!

  2. When the installation process is complete, logout and log back in.

  3. Then, enable the extension:

    • In the GUI

      • With the GNOME Extension Manager

        Press the superuser key and search for "extensions".

        Tip

        You can install the GNOME Extensions Manager with sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager.

      • Or, with the GNOME Extensions App:

        gnome-extensions-app

        Tip

        You can install the Gnome Extensions App package within your Linux distribution(1).

        1. 🙋‍♂️ For example:
          • in most Linux: sudo dnf install gnome-extensions-app.
          • otherwise: sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions-prefs.

    • In the CLI:

      gnome-extensions enable draw-on-gnome@daveprowse.github.io

      Note

      For GNOME version 45 and older you will need to type:
      gnome-extensions enable draw-on-your-screen3@daveprowse.github.io

  4. Use the tool by pressing Super + Alt + D.

Remember that this extension has a minimalist "look". Everything is controlled via keyboard shortcuts.(1) For basic usage, see this link.

  1. 🙋‍♂️ To view all of the shortcuts while working in the extension press Ctrl + F1.

Have fun!

Option 3: Install Manually from the Release or Repository Branch

For those of you who would rather install manually, find your version of GNOME and follow the directions.

GNOME v50

  1. Download or clone the extension.

    Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/D.O.G.-ver-11.0/Draw-On-Gnome-ver-11-0.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file:

    tar -xvf Draw-On-Gnome-ver-11-0.tar.xz

    Clone option (GIVES LATEST WORKING VERSION):

    git clone https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

  2. Place the directory (the one that contains metadata.json) in ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions (If the extensions directory doesn't exist, create it inside of gnome-shell/.)

  3. Change the directory name to draw-on-gnome@daveprowse.github.io

  4. Restart your session:

    • (Wayland) - Log out and log back in
    • (Xorg) - Type alt + F2 and r to restart the gnome-shell

  5. Enable the extension with GNOME Extensions command or application

  6. Super + Alt + D to test. For basic usage, see this link.

Issues? Let us know at this link.

ENJOY!

GNOME v49/48/47/46

  1. Download or clone the extension.

    Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/D.O.G.-ver-9.0/Draw-On-Gnome-ver-9-0.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file:

    tar -xvf Draw-On-Gnome-ver-7-0.tar.xz

  2. Place the directory (the one that contains metadata.json) in ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions (If the extensions directory doesn't exist, create it inside of gnome-shell/.)

  3. Change the directory name to draw-on-gnome@daveprowse.github.io

  4. Restart your session:

    • (Wayland) - Log out and log back in
    • (Xorg) - Type alt + F2 and r to restart the gnome-shell

  5. Enable the extension with GNOME Extensions command or application

  6. Super + Alt + D to test. For basic usage, see this link.

Issues? Let us know at this link.

ENJOY!

GNOME v45

Download or clone this repository branch

  • Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/v14.0-GNOME-v45/GNOMEv45.tar.xz

Then, decompress the tar file: tar -xvf GNOMEv45.tar.xz

  • Clone option:

    git clone -b GNOMEv45 https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

Follow steps 2-6 from the procedure above.

GNOME v42 - 44

Download or clone this repository branch

  • Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/v13.0-GNOME-v42-v44/GNOMEv42.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file: tar -xvf GNOMEv42.tar.xz

  • Clone option:

    git clone -b GNOMEv42 https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

Follow steps 2-6 from the procedure above.

GNOME v3.xx, v40, and v41

Download or clone this repository branch

  • Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/v11.2/GNOMEv41.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file: tar -xvf GNOMEv41.tar.xz

  • Clone option:

    git clone -b GNOMEv41 https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

Follow steps 2-6 from the procedure above.