For most applications in Unity, you can simple click their icons in the Launcher and choose 'Keep in Launcher' to add them to the Unity Launcher. But that option is a bit inconsistent with few programs as being addressed by this bug.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity/+bug/657771
So, you need to manually create a Launcher from a .desktop file for those applications and place it under ~/.local/share/applications. Open up Terminal and run:
Where 'name.desktop' is whatever name you choose for your file. Paste these lines in the new file that opens up:
For instance, if you want to create a Launcher item for 'Blender', your .desktop file would look like this:
Save and close this file. Now open your /home directory and press Ctrl + H to see the hidden files. Navigate to .local/share/applications and drag and drop your newly created 'name.desktop' to the Launcher.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity/+bug/657771
So, you need to manually create a Launcher from a .desktop file for those applications and place it under ~/.local/share/applications. Open up Terminal and run:
gedit ~/.local/share/applications/name.desktop
Where 'name.desktop' is whatever name you choose for your file. Paste these lines in the new file that opens up:
[Desktop Entry]
Name=name of the application you want to be shown
Comment=
Exec=command to run
Icon=icon name
Terminal=false
Type=Application
StartupNotify=true
Name=name of the application you want to be shown
Comment=
Exec=command to run
Icon=icon name
Terminal=false
Type=Application
StartupNotify=true
For instance, if you want to create a Launcher item for 'Blender', your .desktop file would look like this:
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Blender (Windowed)
Comment=
Exec=blender
Icon=blender
Terminal=false
Type=Application
StartupNotify=true
Name=Blender (Windowed)
Comment=
Exec=blender
Icon=blender
Terminal=false
Type=Application
StartupNotify=true
Save and close this file. Now open your /home directory and press Ctrl + H to see the hidden files. Navigate to .local/share/applications and drag and drop your newly created 'name.desktop' to the Launcher.
