To hide files in most Linux file managers (like Nautilus, Nemo, Caja, and others) without renaming them and adding a dot in the front, here is an alternative. Make a file named ".hidden". In this file, list each filename that is in the current directory that you wish to hide. Place each filename on its own line.
On Nautilus, users can use this Nautilus plugin as an alternative - https://bitbucket.org/brunonova/nautilus-hide/src