Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Open source image editor GIMP makes comeback after seven years

By
GIMP 3.0 splash screen
GIMP

After seven years of work, the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) team has officially released GIMP 3.0, bringing a major update to the popular open-source image editor.

A cornerstone of the latest release is the transition to the GTK3 graphical user interface library, replacing the outdated GTK2. This upgrade is said to enhance the application’s performance and introduces a more contemporary and responsive user interface. GIMP 3.0 also introduces non-destructive editing capabilities for many commonly used filters. This feature allows users to preview changes in real-time directly on the canvas.

Recommended Videos

Responding to longstanding user requests, GIMP 3.0 now supports the selection of multiple layers simultaneously. This enhancement streamlines complex editing tasks, allowing users to move, transform, or apply effects to multiple layers at once.

The update also brings significant improvements in text handling. Users can now style text with outlines, shadows, bevels, and more, all while retaining the ability to edit the text content, change fonts, and adjust sizes. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for designers aiming to create professional-quality text elements within their projects.

Compatibility and performance have been further enhanced with the introduction of Wayland support on Linux systems. This allows for better integration with modern display servers, providing a smoother user experience. Additionally, GIMP 3.0 offers improved HiDPI support, delivering sharper visuals on high-resolution displays, and enhanced integration for Wacom tablets, benefiting digital artists who rely on precise input devices.

Curves Non-destructive filter being applied to a portrait
GIMP

The plugin ecosystem has also seen substantial growth. GIMP 3.0 expands support to extensions written in Python 3, JavaScript, Lua, and Vala, providing developers with greater flexibility to enhance the application’s functionality. With that, File format compatibility has been extended, allowing for the exchange of files with a broader range of applications. Notably, there is now support for BC7 DDS files and improved PSD export capabilities, making it easier for users to collaborate across different platforms and software. The GIMP development team has also placed a strong emphasis on color management.

GIMP 3.0 is now accessible on GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, and can be downloaded directly from the official GIMP website. The GIMP development team also has plans to accelerate the release cycle for the 3.X series, with GIMP 3.2 expected within a year. The company says that their focus is on delivering updates more frequently, even if each version introduces fewer new features. This approach ensures users receive improvements and enhancements more quickly.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Kunal Khullar
Kunal Khullar
Computing Writer
Kunal Khullar is a computing writer at Digital Trends who contributes to various topics, including CPUs, GPUs, monitors, and…
Usually $3,499, this Lenovo laptop is over $1,000 off today
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 front view showing display and keyboard.

If you're looking for huge discounts on laptop deals, Lenovo is an excellent source for bargains, and we've found one that you won't want to miss. This configuration of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 with an estimated value of $3,499 is on sale at 40% off for only $2,099, for massive savings of $1,400. The stocks that are up for sale may run out at any moment though, so if you want to take advantage of this offer, you're going to have to complete your purchase as soon as you can.

Why you should buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 laptop

Read more
UK developing algorithmic tool to predict potential killers
a blue computer screen with a human brain icon on it

In echoes of Minority Report, the British government is working on a “murder prediction” tool aimed at identifying individuals who are most likely to become killers, the Guardian reported this week.

The project -- originally called the “homicide prediction project” but since renamed as “sharing data to improve risk assessment” -- is being run by the U.K.’s Ministry of Justice and uses algorithms and personal data, including from the Probation Service, to make its calculations. 

Read more
Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti might be cheaper than expected
Logo on the RTX 4060 Ti graphics card.

Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti is right around the corner, and we've all been bracing ourselves for the big reveal. It's not just about where it'll place among some of the best graphics cards -- oh, if only that were the only concern. In the midst of a GPU shortage, most gamers have been worried about the potential recommended list price (MSRP) of these new GPUs. Well, good news -- it might not be as bad as we all thought it'd be.

Just recently, a leak from Board Channels told us that the RTX 5060 Ti would share the same price as its predecessors. For a bit of clarification: We expect the RTX 5060 Ti to launch in two versions, one with 16GB VRAM and one with 8GB. Previous leaks indicated that the 16GB version would cost $499 -- the same as the last gen -- followed by $399 for the 5060 Ti 8GB.

Read more