GIMP stands for the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a powerful raster graphics editor for photo retouching, image composition, digital artwork and graphic design.
GIMP combines traditional layer-based editing with non-destructive filters and newer non-destructive layer types. Its broad toolset covers painting, selections, masks, transformations, text, colour correction and sophisticated compositing.
The application is highly extensible through plug-ins and scripting, and supports a wide range of image formats and professional colour-management workflows.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Comprehensive painting and retouching tools including brushes, pencil, airbrush, cloning, healing and configurable brush dynamics.
- Layers, layer groups, channels, masks, alpha transparency and multiple blending modes for complex compositions.
- Non-destructive GEGL filters can be edited after application and attached to layers, layer groups and channels.
- Vector Layers provide editable paths with configurable fill and stroke properties and non-destructive transformations.
- Link Layers incorporate external images into compositions and automatically reflect changes made to the source file.
- Multiple layers and other items can be selected and transformed or moved together.
- Rich selection and transformation tools cover paths, free and colour-based selections, cropping, rotation, scaling, perspective, shear and other operations.
- Advanced text editing with editable text layers, outlines and non-destructive effects.
- GIMP’s own painting engine is complemented by MyPaint brushes, with graphics tablet pressure, tilt and stylus rotation support.
- Extensive colour management with support for RGB colour spaces, ICC profiles, soft-proofing and CMYK print simulation.
- Broad image-format support including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, OpenEXR, PSD/PSB, DDS, SVG and PDF, with Camera RAW workflows through external processors.
- PSD interoperability includes support for additional layer styles, while Photoshop curves, levels and pattern presets can be imported.
- Extensible through plug-ins and scripting interfaces including Python and Scheme.
- GTK3 interface provides native Wayland support, improved HiDPI scaling and better graphics tablet handling.
Website: www.gimp.org
Support:
Developer: First version written by Peter Mattis and Spencer Kimball. Thousands of individuals have contributed since.
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
GIMP is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Raster Image Editors | |
|---|---|
| GIMP | GNU Image Manipulation Program |
| JS Paint | Classic MS Paint recreation with modern browser-based features |
| Pinta | Mimics the usability of Paint.Net |
| Photoflare | Cross-platform image editor |
| LazPaint | Image editor with layers and transparency |
| dibuja | Simple to use paint program like Paintbrush for Mac or classic MS Paint |
| Drawing | Basic raster image editor similar to Microsoft Paint |
| Textual Paint | MS Paint in your terminal |
| Pixelitor | Feature-rich editing with layers, filters and effects |
| paint.software | Accessible Paint.NET-style raster editing application |
| Brushshe | Simple and user-friendly raster graphics editor |
| KolourPaint | Easy-to-use paint program by KDE |
| CinePaint | Tools for painting, manipulation and image processing |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| Painting Tools | |
|---|---|
| Krita | Edit and paint images; part of the KOffice office suite |
| MyPaint | Paint program with dynamic brushes for graphic tablets |
| GIMP | GNU Image Manipulation Program |
| Drawpile | Draw, paint, sketch and animate |
| AzPainter | Full color painting software |
| Tux Paint | Drawing and painting software designed for children |
| Milton | Infinite-canvas paint program |
| Vara | Minimalist digital painting tool |
| CorePaint | Paint app for C Suite |
| InfiniPaint | Collaborative, infinite space, infinite zoom, canvas note-taking/drawing app |
| BlockPaint | Terminal-based painting tool |
| Alchemy | Non-orthodox painting tool experimenting with alternative ways of drawing |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| Screen Capture Tools | |
|---|---|
| Spectacle | Simple KDE application for capturing desktop screenshots |
| Ksnip | Qt-based cross-platform tool that provides many annotation features |
| flameshot | Complete screen capture and snipping tool with unique features |
| Shutter | Feature-rich screenshot program |
| ScreenGrab | Competent Qt-based tool |
| Satty | Modern screenshot annotation utility with a clean interface |
| swappy | Wayland native snapshot editing tool |
| CoreShot | Simple lightweight screen capture utility for C-Suite |
| gscreenshot | Graphical interface and command line frontend for multiple backends |
| GIMP | The GNU Image Manipulation Program |
| shotman | Lightweight screenshot tool designed for Wayland desktops |
| GNOME Screenshot | Screen capture tool for GNOME |
| xfce4-screenshooter | Flexible screenshot utility for the Xfce desktop environment |
| wayscrollshot | Scrolling screenshot tool for Wayland |
| SnipText | Screen capture OCR tool |
| Perl Screenshot Tool | Works best on X11. It also supports Gnome Wayland |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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