If you’re using an older Canon printer on Ubuntu 22.04, you may find that you need to install the libpng12 library for compatibility. This library is not included in the standard Ubuntu 22.04 repositories, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This article will guide you through the process of installing libpng12 on your system.
To install libpng12 on Ubuntu 22.04 for Canon printer compatibility, you can either use the Linux Uprising PPA or compile it from source. The Linux Uprising PPA method is easier and involves adding the PPA, updating the package list, and installing libpng12-0. Alternatively, you can compile libpng12 from source by installing the necessary build dependencies, downloading the libpng source code, configuring the build environment, building the library, installing it, and setting up the necessary symlinks.
What is libpng12?
libpng12 is a library that supports the manipulation of PNG (Portable Network Graphics) images. It’s used by many programs, including certain Canon printer drivers, to handle PNG images. However, libpng12 is an older version of the library, and it has been replaced in more recent software by newer versions, like libpng16.
Method 1: Installing libpng12 from the Linux Uprising PPA
One of the easiest ways to install libpng12 on Ubuntu 22.04 is by using the Linux Uprising PPA (Personal Package Archive). Here’s how to do it:
- Open a Terminal
You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard.
- Add the Linux Uprising PPA
Run the following command to add the PPA to your system:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linuxuprising/libpng12This command adds the Linux Uprising PPA to your system’s list of repositories. The sudo command is used to run the command with administrator privileges, while add-apt-repository is the command that actually adds the PPA.
- Update the Package List
Next, run the following command to update your system’s package list:
sudo apt updateThis command updates the list of packages that your system knows about. It’s a good idea to run this command regularly to keep your system up to date.
- Install libpng12-0
Finally, install the libpng12-0 package by running the following command:
sudo apt install libpng12-0This command installs the libpng12-0 package on your system.
Method 2: Compiling libpng12 from Source
If for some reason you can’t or don’t want to use the Linux Uprising PPA, you can compile libpng12 from source. This is a bit more involved, but it’s not too difficult if you follow the steps below:
- Install the Necessary Build Dependencies
Before you can compile libpng12, you need to install some build dependencies. Run the following command to do this:
sudo apt install build-essential zlib1g-devThis command installs the build-essential and zlib1g-dev packages, which are necessary for compiling libpng12.
- Create a Source Directory and Download the libpng Source Code
Next, create a source directory and download the libpng source code:
mkdir src
cd src
wget https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/linuxuprising/libpng12/ubuntu/pool/main/libp/libpng/libpng_1.2.54.orig.tar.xzThese commands create a new directory called src, navigate into it, and then download the libpng source code.
- Extract the Source Code and Navigate to the Extracted Source Directory
Now, extract the source code and navigate to the extracted source directory:
tar Jxfv libpng_1.2.54.orig.tar.xz
cd libpng-1.2.54- Configure the Build Environment
Before you can compile the source code, you need to configure the build environment. Run the following command to do this:
./configure- Build the Library
Now you’re ready to build the library. Run the following command to do this:
make- Install the Library
Once the library is built, you can install it by running the following command:
sudo make install- Set Up the Necessary Symlinks in /usr/lib
Finally, set up the necessary symlinks in /usr/lib:
sudo ln -s /usr/local/lib/libpng12.so.0.54.0 /usr/lib/libpng12.so
sudo ln -s /usr/local/lib/libpng12.so.0.54.0 /usr/lib/libpng12.so.0These commands create symbolic links from the newly installed libpng12 library to the /usr/lib directory, where the system looks for libraries.
Conclusion
And that’s it! You should now have libpng12 installed on your Ubuntu 22.04 system, and your Canon printer should work as expected. If you run into any problems, don’t hesitate to ask for help in the comments below.
Canon printers rely on the libpng12 library to handle PNG images. This library is not included in the standard Ubuntu 22.04 repositories, so you need to install it separately for compatibility with your Canon printer.
libpng12 is a library that supports the manipulation of PNG (Portable Network Graphics) images. It is an older version of the library and is used by certain Canon printer drivers. More recent software versions have replaced libpng12 with newer versions like libpng16.
Yes, you can compile libpng12 from source if you prefer. It involves a few more steps, but it is possible. Refer to the "Method 2: Compiling libpng12 from Source" section in the article for detailed instructions.
The necessary build dependencies for compiling libpng12 from source are build-essential and zlib1g-dev. You can install them by running the command sudo apt install build-essential zlib1g-dev.
After installing libpng12 from source, you need to set up the necessary symlinks in the /usr/lib directory. Run the following commands to do this:
sudo ln -s /usr/local/lib/libpng12.so.0.54.0 /usr/lib/libpng12.so
sudo ln -s /usr/local/lib/libpng12.so.0.54.0 /usr/lib/libpng12.so.0Installing libpng12 is specifically for compatibility with older Canon printers. It may not guarantee compatibility with all Canon printers on Ubuntu 22.04. It’s always recommended to check the specific requirements and drivers for your Canon printer model.
