Adobe Creative Suite Cleanroom Port to Rust
bigwheels
108 points
65 comments
October 06, 2026
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Discussion Highlights (16 comments)
bigwheels
https://github.com/storytold/photocraft (Photoshop) https://github.com/storytold/vectorcraft (Illustrator) https://github.com/storytold/filmcraft (Premiere) https://github.com/storytold/lightcraft (Lightroom) https://github.com/storytold/printcraft (Acrobat Pro) https://github.com/storytold/effectcraft (After Effects) https://github.com/storytold/designcraft (InDesign)
handfuloflight
What's the catch?
drcongo
The speed that the Premier clone launches is mad.
terhechte
I released something similar today: https://pixellect.app/ Though it was done roughly 1-2 months ago, a very busy work / private life kept me from finally releasing it. Interesting to see this being released on the same day. Though Pixellect has a different mission. Its not a clean room photoshop clone but more between Pixelmator and Photoshop and also features (I think) a bit more AI Integration. However Photocraft looks much more complete in terms of typical Photoshop features. It was only 4 months ago that AI development was in question because there were no vibe-coded Photoshops. Here they are, and I think more will come.
Youden
Interesting but for photography at least, there's a massive hole: RAW support. What they've implemented is very limited and basic, nothing like parity with Lightroom or Photoshop. Just try loading a RAW photo into Lightroom/Photoshop and put the window next to Lightcraft/Photocraft - the results are completely different and not in a good way. Lightcraft's image looks like an amateur attempt at RAW processing from first principles, without any of the most basic colour profiles and adjustments that Lightroom applies. Photocraft doesn't even offer RAW processing, it just dumps the raster straight in. I'd treat this as completely new, far from complete software heavily inspired by the Adobe Suite, rather than a "port". But maybe folks who use workflows that don't involve RAW photos have better luck.
forgotpwd16
Unlimited slop works! Title kinda misleading (at least appears so to me). No rev. eng. (so "cleanroom" to be relevant) takes place. "ACS clone" would be more appropriate.
TnS-hun
Previous thread: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49958850
freeone3000
In two of its test cases, it changes the PSD on save so much that an export render differs. No RAW support. No folder sync or plugins. Limited brush support. It’s like the author never actually used their vibe-coded output and just decided it looked good enough.
therein
The UI is great but even basic features are relatively incomplete. It has potential, I hope it gets to places.
petterroea
One of the highlights in this for me is that we are starting to see clean room ports of software that companies would actually sue to protect. Clearly the old "nobody would re-implement this" protection no longer works. I think we may stand on the brink of software losing a lot of it's magical DMCA protections, because it no longer matters. Or worse, the law becomes stricter.
lioeters
I wonder if we're entering an era of boundless open-source clones and variants of proprietary software, from operating systems to games, products and services, perhaps even clones of entire companies.
wg0
Post AI - What is the future of making money with software? Desktop apps or SaaS? This certainly also would cut into the bottom line of software companies so they won't exist and then these companies are supposed to be the prime customers of the AI companies. Can't understand what's happening. PS: Anyone badmouthing the above rewrite is not understanding what's happening. Check back a year later for featur parity.
arecurrence
There are several of these clones floating around now. Who is furthest along in functionality and community support? Have any of these attracted a community of contributors?
dinkleberg
Wow! This actually gives a pretty promising alternative to GIMP on Linux. I was resigned in my fate to just deal with the awkwardness of GIMP and Inkscape after years of the creative cloud suite. It is clearly missing much at the moment, but if they can keep going this would be amazing. All packaged as AppImages so no need for the persistent junk running on the system.
spottedmarley
This is sweet. I've already modified it to have a couple features I miss from Krita 1: Create new document from image data on the clipboard 2: Custom grid options (set width AND height of grid cells, offsets, etc) I stopped using PS a while ago when it stopped working well under Wine. Getting to know Photoshop again after so many years is really fun
truetraveller
Why is this flagged?