Introduction

This project extends SWELL to support Linux input methods (IM), implementing pre-edit text rendering and candidate positioning.

All added code is contained within the SWELL_SUPPORT_IM macro definition.

I spent a lot of time to test and making it work properly. If this project is useful to you, I'd appreciate a GitHub star or Buy Me A Coffee.

Discuss in the official forum: https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?p=2880745

Main Feature

• Type and commit text by using Fcitx or IBus
• Candidate box follows cursor position
• Auto-scrolls horizontally when typing exceeds box width(pre-edit text as well)
• Display pre-edit text

Installation

Pre-built file

The pre-built BIN file only supports x86_64 systems.

If you installed REAPER manually, please backup your libSwell.so in the installation directory.

Then download the release version of libSwell.so and place it in your REAPER installation path.

Example commands (may require sudo):

mv libSwell.{so,so.bak}
cp libSwell.so /path/to/REAPER/

Please replace with your actual REAPER installation path

If you're using Archlinux and installed REAPER via the package manager (pacman), your REAPER installation path is /usr/lib/REAPER/.

Follow the same backup and replacement steps for libSwell.so.

Build yourself

git clone https://github.com/wastee/REAPER-IM-SWELL.git
cd REAPER-IM-SWELL/WDL/swell/
make PRELOAD_GDK=1 SWELL_SUPPORT_GTK=1 SWELL_SUPPORT_IM=1

Then copy the new libSwell.so file to your REAPER installation path.

Example commands (may require sudo):

mv libSwell.{so,so.bak}
cp libSwell.so /path/to/REAPER/

Usage Notes

Environment variables

IMPORTANT: Make sure your system's input method (fcitx, ibus, etc.) is properly configured

Include the needed environment variables settings.

Show CJK characters

REAPER can't show CJK characters by default. However you can add a "patch" in your fontconfig file.

The fontconfig file is in ~/.config/fontconfig/font.conf. If it doesn't exist, you need to create it.

Remember to replace the font name with your preferred choice. In my case, i'm using MiSans VF.

Example file: https://gist.github.com/wastee/09d935c40387079bd27a03e196e7e62a#file-fonts-conf-L525

Tested Environments

OS	Input Method	Status
Archlinux	Fcitx5	✅ Working
Fedora	IBus	✅ Working

Tested in REAPER	Status
action list	✅ Working
find shortcut	❌ Exclude
TCP & MCP	✅ Working
Media explorer	✅ Working
Load / Save Project	✅ Working
MIDI Editor key rename	✅ Working
MIDI Editor track rename	✅ Working
project settings note	✅ Working
FX window / FX rename	✅ Working
Settings	✅ Working
IDE	❌ Not work
Video Processor	❌ Not work

Known Issues

1. Depending on your resolution and DPI settings, the candidate window may not align properly on the Y-axis. You can modify this line and rebuild libSwell.so yourself.
2. If your window auto-boots with REAPER, the candidate position may not work (no working m_oswindow). I currently don't have a solution for this issue yet.
3. Cursor in edit field won't move follow pre-edit back.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.