Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

After years of development, GIMP has finally reached an important milestone: the version 3.0 It is available for download. For those who use this historic open source graphics software for some time, It is an expected moment, almost symbolic.
It is not a simple update: GIMP 3.0 score a real rebirth project, with completely renewed techniques and a series of novelties that make the user experience more modern, stable and flexible.

In this first introductory article I want to tell you what really changes with this new version, then to learn more, In the next appointments, Every single novelty with practical examples.

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A whole heart new: The transition to GTK3

One of the deepest transformations - even if invisible at first sight - is the transition from GTK2 a GTK3, The graphic toolkit on which the GIMP interface is based.
It might seem like a technical detail for developers, but it has a huge impact on daily experience. Con GTK3, GIMP now offers native support to monitor HiDPI, better window management, and an interface that finally adapts more consistently to modern desktops such as Gnome or KDE.

All with a result visible immediately: GIMP appears more legible, more orderly and more “contemporary”, while remaining faithful to the aesthetic that historical users know.

Wayland and performance: GIMP looks forward

In addition to the renewed interface, GIMP 3.0 It is prepared for the future also on the performance front. The software is now Compatible with Wayland, The new graphic server that has now replaced X11 on many Linux distributions.

Translated: GIMP behaves better in modern environments, He replies faster and manages in a more stable window, Inputs and multiple screens.

The start of the program has also become faster, and the execution of filters and effects - especially the heaviest ones - is much more fluid thanks to a more efficient use of the processor.

The interface remains familiar, but it is let it appreciate more

One of the most appreciable things of this new release is that GIMP 3.0 does not upset the interface, but it improves it.
The panels are more readable, The most coherent themes, But among the few aspects that I changed compared to the original interface there is the theme of the icons. Those adopted in this new version are monochromatic and I realize that I have to seek the relative symbol every time, or the symbol “container” of the functions that interest me (this is. The transformation tools: “wheel“, “scale“, “incline“, etc..). With icons “legacy” The interface is not very clean, But my workflow is certainly fast.
On the side you will find the set of new icons, while in the previous screenshot the Legacy icons that still use.
Those who arrive from previous versions will not feel disrevictable, But it will notice with pleasure greater attention to detail and a general fluidity that before was missing.

In the next articles we will see how to best customize the interface to adapt it to your workflow, that you are an illustrator, A photographer or a web designer.

Extensions and plugins: The foundations for something new

One of the less evident but potentially revolutionary innovations of GIMP 3.0 it concerns extensions management.
With this version, The development team completed the transition from Python 2 a Python 3, Fundamental technical update that allows you to create more modern plugins, efficient and safe.

It should be clarified, however, that, at the moment, There is still no integrated extensions manager within Gimp. It is not possible, for example, Browse and install plugins directly from the interface as happens with Krita or blender.
For now the installation remains manual: The files are downloaded and they copy in specific folders (or indicates a personalized path from GIMP preferences).

Having said this,, GIMP 3.0 It lay the foundations for a future in which all this will be much easier. The new program infrastructure is designed to welcome a real one in the future “Extension Manager”, And it is not excluded that it can already arrive with a subsequent release, like the 3.2.

In the meantime, However, you can install and use many plugins compatible with GIMP 3.0. In the next articles we will deepen some of these tools and see how to exploit them to enrich the functionality of the program.

The support for image formats has also been updated: Avenues, Webp e psd they are managed better and more stablely.

Gegl and animations: Gimp as you have never used it

Last but not less important, The Gegl graphic engine is exploited even more, permitting non -destructive effects, Real -time previews and - for those who love to experiment - functions for animation more and more powerful, Thanks to specific plugins.

In the next appointments we will see how to create GIF or video clip animations starting from levels, exploiting the interaction between Gimp and Gegl.
A world to be explored, especially for those who thought Gimp were “Just to edit photos”.

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And now?

GIMP 3.0 It is only the beginning of a new phase.
Over the next few weeks I will publish a series of articles dedicated to:

• Customization of the interface
• Discovery of the best plugins
• Professional workflows for web designers and illustrators
• Non -destructive editing
• Animations and advanced graphic design

If you are interested in the world of open source graphics, This is the perfect time for (ri)Discover GIMP.