GIMP App Review: All You Need to Know

Key Takeaways:

• GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful, free, and open-source raster graphics editor.
• GIMP offers diverse tools for editing photos, designing graphics, and creating art.
• The app is free to use, making it an attractive option for users on a budget.

What is GIMP?

GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free and open-source raster graphics editor. You can use the tool to edit and manipulate images on your computer. The app does the following:

• Crop, retouch, and adjust photo color and lighting.
• Create graphics by designing things like logos, icons, and web graphics.
• Also, it performs secondary functions such as digital painting.

Getting Started with GIMP?

Installation

Windows

1. Visit the GIMP official website on your web browser, then click the Download button.
   
2. On the next page, select the Download GIMP directly button.
   
3. Once downloaded, locate the executable file, usually in your system’s Downloads folder, and double-click it to run the installer.
4. When you receive a prompt requesting confirmation to change your system, click Yes.
   
5. Then, select your preferred setup language and click OK.
6. Optionally, you may click Customize to modify any setup basics.
7. Next, accept the license agreement by clicking Next.
   
8. All components are pre-selected. Leave them as is and click Next.
   
9. You may also optionally check the relevant option and click Next to set a desktop icon for GIMP.
10. Once done, click Install to begin the installation.
    
11. Wait for the installation to complete. Depending on your computer’s speed and specs, it may take a few minutes.
    
12. Once complete, click Finish.
    

MacOS

1. Visit the GIMP official website on your web browser, then click on the Download button.
   
2. On the next page, select macOS next to “Show downloads for…“
   
3. Then, click the Download the GIMP for Intel directly button.
   
4. Once downloaded, double-click the downloaded file to open it.
5. Finally, drag the GIMP icon to your Applications folder to complete the installation.

Basic Interface

Let’s examine the basic interface of the GIMP app:

Toolbox:

The toolbox contains diverse tools for manipulating images, which let you perform processes like selecting, painting, cropping, and more. These tools include a brush, eraser, selection tools, and a gradient tool.

Image Window:

• The image window is the canvas where you load images and showcase your creativity, allowing you to perform editing and drawing.
• Options for layers, filters, and transformations are within this window.

Layer Options:

• The layer options toolbar displays key functions for layers, paths, and essential features.

• Using layers helps you arrange and organize elements in your composition, making it easier to handle intricate designs.

Creating a New Project

1. Launch the GIMP app on your computer.
   
2. Then, click the File menu at the top of the display and select New from the dropdown.
   
3. In the Create a New Image dialog, set the width and height in pixels for your canvas.
   
4. Optionally, choose a template from the dropdown menu.
   
5. Adjust other settings as needed, like resolution or color space.
6. Once you’ve set your options, click the Create button.
7. Your new blank canvas is ready to start your project.

Essential Features of GIMP You Should Know About

1. Free and Open-source

GIMP has two vital benefits enveloped into one feature: being free and open-source. Each of these aspects entails the following:

• Free:
  • You can download, install, and use GIMP without paying any licensing fees, which makes it a valuable choice for individuals and businesses on a budget.
• Open-source:
  • The freely available source code of GIMP enables global collaboration, customization for specific needs, and faster detection and resolution of security vulnerabilities through community scrutiny.

2. Customizable Interface

The GIMP app offers extensive interface customization options to tailor it to your workflow and preferences. Here’s what you can adjust:

Layout

• In GIMP, you can move panels with tools and options around the workspace and even detach them to create floating windows.
• To remove a specific panel, close its tab. Use the Add Tab menu to add more options and reveal additional panels.
• Modify individual panels or entire docks’ size and position to create a layout that works for you.

Appearance

• Alter the overall color scheme of GIMP’s interface with options including Dark (default), Light, Gray, and System (which match your OS theme).
• Based on visibility preferences, you can select different icon styles for tools and options, such as Symbolic, Legacy, or High Contrast, regardless of the theme.
• Customize icon size for better visibility or a more compact feel.

Additional Customization:

• Manage the size of image previews in various panels to balance information and screen space.
• Customize keyboard shortcuts for quicker workflow efficiency.

3. Photo Enhancement

GIMP provides robust photo editing tools for enhancing, fixing common issues, and making creative adjustments. The following is a summary of its photo enhancement features:

Corrections

GIMP can fix various imperfections like:

• Exposure
• Color
• Distortion

Digital Retouching

Enhance photo aesthetics and clarity using tools such as the following:

• Clone Tool: Remove unwanted objects or blemishes by copying textures from other parts of the image.
• Healing Tool: Fix minor imperfections like dust spots or scratches while preserving image details.
• Channel Mixer: Adjust black and white conversions for a dramatic effect.

Filters and Effects

GIMP offers a wide variety of filters for different enhancements, such as:

• Noise Reduction: Remove grainy noise for cleaner, sharper images.
• Blur and Sharpen: Adjust image focus, add softness, or create a sharper look.
• Creative Effects: Apply blur variations, lighting effects, or textures.

4. Hardware Input Support

The GIMP app supports various drawing devices like pressure-sensitive tablets and USB/MIDI controllers. It allows features such as pressure and tilt recognition, customizable brush dynamics, and shortcut buttons, enhancing the creative experience for those who prefer drawing tablets.

5. Customizable Brushes and Painting Tools

GIMP’s customizable brushes and painting tools cater to both beginners and professional artists, allowing the creation of unique artistic styles and effects. Here’s an overview:

• Brush Variety: GIMP offers pre-made brushes like airbrushes, pencils, and clones, with the ability for further customization.
• Custom Brush Creation: Design brushes using parametric, image, color, and animated techniques.
• Brush Settings: Fine-tune size, spacing, opacity, pressure sensitivity, and blending options.
• Sharing and Importing: Save and share custom brushes and access a library of creative tools online.

6. Batch Processing

Batch processing in GIMP allows you to apply pre-determined changes to multiple images simultaneously. GIMP itself does not have a super intuitive built-in batch processing function. However, there are two main ways to perform batch processing in GIMP:

• Built-in Scripting (Not Recommended): GIMP provides a scripting system for batch processing, but it’s technical and requires coding expertise. If you’re uncomfortable with scripting, I recommend skipping this method.
• BIMP Plugin (Recommended): The Batch Image Manipulation Plugin (BIMP) simplifies batch processing, integrating seamlessly with GIMP. It lets you automate tasks like resizing, watermarking, and color corrections across an entire image collection.

7. Cross-Platform Support

One of the strengths of the GIMP app is its ability to operate on different operating systems. You can use GIMP on Windows, macOS, and Linux machines seamlessly.

It’s vital to note that while GIMP itself is cross-platform, some functionalities might vary slightly between operating systems due to underlying system variations. However, the core image editing features remain consistent.

8. Supports Various File Formats

GIMP’s versatility with file formats offers flexibility in saving and exporting images to suit various needs. This feature entails the following:

Common File Formats:

• GIMP supports many popular image formats, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, and TIFF.

GIMP’s Formats:

• XCF is GIMP’s native format. It saves all image data, including layers, channels, transparency, etc., allowing you to resume editing later. It is not widely supported by other software.
• Other GIMP formats like GBR (brushes) and GPL (palettes) are specific to GIMP resources.

Beyond the Basics:

GIMP’s capabilities stretch outside typical formats. It can handle:

• EPS: Used for vector graphics and often used in professional printing workflows.
• PSD: Adobe Photoshop’s native format, having GIMP’s support to some extent, allowing some exchange with Photoshop users.
• HEIC/AVIF: A relatively new and efficient image format gaining popularity.

You can expand this functionality with plugins. These can support less common formats, giving you even more options for working with your images.

9. Channel Mixer

The Channel Mixer in GIMP manipulates colors by blending the Red, Green, and Blue channels to create the final color output. It can be used for color correction, black-and-white conversion, and creative effects. Access it through Colors > Components > Channel Mixer in the GIMP menus.

10. Perspective Clone Tool

The Perspective Clone Tool in GIMP is an advanced feature that allows you to clone objects while considering perspective. It intelligently adapts copied pixels to match the perspective of the target area, making it useful for tasks such as removing unwanted objects, duplicating objects with existing perspectives, and restoring damaged parts of an image.

11. Virtual File System

The virtual file system (VFS) in the GIMP app allows you to access remote files directly from cloud servers or shared network drives using protocols like FTP, SFTP, or HTTP. It also enables transparent compression, saving storage space by allowing you to save projects in compressed formats.

Additionally, VFS supports plugins to extend GIMP’s capabilities for handling rare image formats.

12. Advanced Selection Tools

GIMP’s selection tools are diverse and powerful, offering advanced features such as a variety of selection modes, a quick mask for intuitive selections, feathering and anti-aliasing for smooth edges, channel-based selections, and advanced tool options, making it a valuable tool for photo manipulation and graphic design.

Pros and Cons

GIMP Pricing

Being open-source software, the GIMP app doesn’t have any paid versions or subscriptions. You can download and use it perpetually without paying. Beginners or those on a tight budget who still want robust image editing features can benefit immensely.

There are no hidden costs or in-app purchases. Just note that third-party plugins may have fees, and professional support may require hiring a freelancer.

Our Verdict: Should You Use GIMP?

The GIMP app is a powerful and versatile free option for photo editing, graphic design, and digital painting. While it has a steep learning curve, the vast features, customization options, and active community make it an excellent choice for nonprofessionals, beginners, and professionals on a budget.

Consider using a paid alternative if you need the most advanced features and industry recognition. You may also consider enhancing your photograph or restoring an old photo using AI.