Creating a link to an application that is installed but does not show up in Applications folder

New to Linux and Ubuntu.

I want to create a link to Slic3r in a folder i've created on the desktop. All the other apps that I wanted to show up in this folder I copied from the /usr/share/applications folder and they all worked. Slic3r does not seem to show up in that the applications folder though. I installed in using a long complex list of instructions that I can't find now. It works perfectly, but I still would like to create an icon in the design folder that I've created on the desk top. Where else might I be able to find the app if it does not show up in the applications folder?

Solution 1:

In Ubuntu, shortcuts to applications are text files with .desktop file extention. These are usually provided with the application if you installed it via the Software Center or apt. However, if you installed it using a different method, you most likely have to create the .desktop file yourself.

First of all, you have to know the location of the executable you want to run. If you don't, but can start it by typing its name in the terminal, the command which will tell you its absolute path (e.g.which firefox).

Now open your favorite text editor (e.g. gedit). A simple .desktop file may look like this:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=<application_name>
Exec=/path/to/executable

Replace the name of the application and the path to the executable. Save the file as * .desktop (e.g. slic3r.desktop) to your Desktop.

If you want it to appear in the Dash, place a copy in

• /usr/share/applications (visible for every user)

• ~/.local/share/applications (visible for your user only)

• If the executable is in the $PATH variable (i.e., you can run it by typing its name in the terminal), you don't have to provide the absolute path in the .desktop file. However, I'd recommend using the absolute path.
• There are also applications that provide a GUI for creating starters, for example Arronax and MenuLibre