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GIMP for Mac

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 2.99.18
  • 3.3

    (1200)
  • Security Status

GIMP: Open source image editor gets even better

GIMP is a free, open source tool that lets you create and edit images. GIMP has been around for over two decades and development has been stable over the years. The newest update for GIMP gives a slew of new features and a glimpse into the future for this incredible open source image editor.

What is GIMP used for?

GIMP, or the GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a handy tool that helps you tweak and enhance your pictures. It's like having a virtual canvas where you can edit images, draw freely, and convert files to different formats. GIMP is free to use, and it works on computers with Linux, macOS, and Windows.

GIMP features and capabilities

All the features of GIMP are still present. You can create your own images with tools for airbrushing, penciling, cloning, and creating gradients. Power users can create their own brushes and patterns to use later. GIMP also allows users to manipulate images imported into the program. You can crop, add text, resize, and create nested layers. There is even a way to animate your creations.

Here are some of the most important features and capabilities of GIMP:

Painting

  • Lots of Painting Tools: GIMP has various tools for painting, like brushes and pencils, to let you be creative.
  • Smooth Colors: It makes sure your painted edges look smooth and polished.
  • Create Your Own Brushes: You can even make your own brushes and patterns for a unique touch.

System

  • Handles Big Pictures: GIMP can handle large images without slowing down your computer.
  • Work on Many Images: You can work on several pictures at once without any fuss.

Advanced manipulation

  • Transparency Support: GIMP allows you to use transparent colors in your pictures.
  • Layers and Channels: You can organize your work in layers and channels to keep things neat.
  • Edit Text: Add and edit text on your images easily.
  • Transform Your Creations: Rotate, scale, shear, and flip your images effortlessly.
  • Make Precise Selections: GIMP gives you tools to select parts of your image accurately.

Extensible

  • More Than Just a Program: GIMP can do even more with external programs, thanks to its Procedural Database.
  • Write Your Own Scripts: If you're into coding, you can write scripts in Scheme, Python, or Perl.
  • Add Extras with Plug-ins: Extend GIMP's abilities with over 100 plug-ins for new effects and file formats.

Animation

  • Create Animations: GIMP makes it easy to create animations with a frame-as-layer format.
  • Supports MNG Format: If you're into advanced animations, GIMP supports the MNG format.

File handling

  • Handles Many Formats: GIMP supports a bunch of file formats, like bmp, gif, jpeg, png, and more.
  • Easy File Management: Load, display, convert, and save your pictures effortlessly.
  • Works with Other Tools: Import and export paths with SVG, making it easy to collaborate with other design tools.

Customizable interface

  • Make GIMP Yours: Customize GIMP to fit your style. Change colors, spacings, and icon sizes to suit your taste.
  • Organize Your Workspace: Keep your workspace tidy with modular docks that can be stacked or kept open.
  • Go Fullscreen: GIMP's fullscreen mode lets you see your artwork in all its glory and edit with ease.

New additions

GIMP has now been updated with many user interface tweaks to make the application accessible to newbies. The biggest interface addition is the ability to edit in a single-window. GIMP versions of the past drew criticism for their confusing interfaces, but the developers are addressing many of these issues in this newest version. While single-window mode is great, it is also disappointing that there is no way to view multiple projects side by side.

Other updated features include easier text editing, nested layer groups, and a shift to using the Generic Graphics Library (GEGL), which is a more sophisticated image processing framework. GEGL was introduced a couple of years back in a developer version and has now made its way into the sable, consumer version. GIMP developers hope to move entirely to GEGL by version 2.10. One of the major advantages of GIMP using GEGL is the ability for non-destructive editing and high bit-depth images.

GIMP now only saves to its own XCF format to retain layers and other file manipulation information. Users can still choose to save in formats like JPEG and PNG but will have to "export" the project instead of saving. This follows in the footsteps of Adobe Photoshop.

Mac users will be happy to know that GIMP 2.8.2 is the first version of the program to run natively in OS X, without requiring the installation of X11. This takes one annoying step out of the installation process.

The latest GIMP is better than ever. Its developers are taking the user experience into serious consideration and are speeding up development for this already great photo editor.

GIMP alternatives

If GIMP doesn't quite fit the bill, here are some other options you might want to check out:

Inkscape

Inkspace is a solid alternative thanks to these features:

  • Draw Vectors for Free: Inkscape is a free tool that lets you create vector images with ease.
  • Packed with Features: It might be free, but Inkscape can compete with paid tools, offering a range of creative options.
  • Keeps Getting Better: Inkscape regularly updates with new features, staying on top of the game.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

If  you are into graphic design, you probably have heard of CorelDRAW, here are some of its known features:

  • Professional Design for Mac: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a trial version program for Mac, perfect for graphic design professionals.
  • Versatile Tools: Whether you're into illustrations, photo editing, or typography, this software has you covered.
  • Try Before You Buy: Test out the trial version to see if it suits your creative needs.

Canva

Canva is another popular and solid image editor. Here are some of its features:

  • Design Online: Canva is a web and mobile tool for creating graphics, presentations, posters, and more.
  • User-Friendly: It's easy to use, even if you're not a design pro.
  • Loads of Resources: Canva provides access to a vast library of photos, vectors, illustrations, fonts, and templates.

In a nutshell, GIMP is your go-to pal for playing with pictures. Whether you're a pro or just starting, GIMP's got the tools to make your images pop. It's free, it's flexible, and it's waiting for you to unleash your creativity. Give it a try, and see where your imagination takes you!

Runs natively in OS X. X11 is no longer required. For full changelog, please visit: http://git.gnome.org/browse/gimp/plain/NEWS?h=gimp-2-8 Version 2.8.4: Core: Move the OSX gimpdir to "~/Library/Application Support" GUI: Better names for the default filters in save and export Make tool drawing (esp. the brush outline) much more responsive Remember the "maximized" state across sessions Simplify the splash image code a lot, makes it appear immediately again Allow the text tool to start on an image without layers Various fixes for text style attribute handling Set unconfigured input devices to eraser if GTK+ says they are erasers Make language selectable in Preferences on OSX Libgimp: Make libgimp drawable combo boxes aware of layer groups Make sure plug-in windows appear on top on OSX Fix item width in GimpPageSelector (used e.g. in PDF import) Plug-ins: Better default values in the Drop Shadow script Fix a whole bunch of bugs in the BMP plug-in On OSX, use the system's screenshot utility Installer: Add Brazilian-Portuguese translation to the Windows installer Source and build system: Many improvements to the OSX bundle build system Support automake 1.13 General: Lots of bug fixes Lots of translation updates

Changes

  • Runs natively in OS X. X11 is no longer required. For full changelog, please visit: http://git.gnome.org/browse/gimp/plain/NEWS?h=gimp-2-8 Version 2.8.4: Core: Move the OSX gimpdir to "~/Library/Application Support" GUI: Better names for the default filters in save and export Make tool drawing (esp. the brush outline) much more responsive Remember the "maximized" state across sessions Simplify the splash image code a lot, makes it appear immediately again Allow the text tool to start on an image without layers Various fixes for text style attribute handling Set unconfigured input devices to eraser if GTK+ says they are erasers Make language selectable in Preferences on OSX Libgimp: Make libgimp drawable combo boxes aware of layer groups Make sure plug-in windows appear on top on OSX Fix item width in GimpPageSelector (used e.g. in PDF import) Plug-ins: Better default values in the Drop Shadow script Fix a whole bunch of bugs in the BMP plug-in On OSX, use the system's screenshot utility Installer: Add Brazilian-Portuguese translation to the Windows installer Source and build system: Many improvements to the OSX bundle build system Support automake 1.13 General: Lots of bug fixes Lots of translation updates

GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It has many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc.

GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything. The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest task to the most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.

PROS

  • Multiplatform
  • Powerful image editing tools
  • Lots of interface tweaks to make it newbie friendly
  • Single-window mode
  • FINALLY runs natively on the Mac

CONS

  • Can't view multiple items in single-window mode
  • Not many included automated features

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


GIMP for Mac

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 2.99.18
  • 3.3

    (1200)
  • Security Status


User reviews about GIMP

  • Adam

    by Adam

    Its difficult to figure out some of the basic functions that I knew from photoshop. It seems most of them are there but it is not intuitive . hope som More

  • Estebaldo Martinez

    by Estebaldo Martinez

    I have not been able to use it

  • Toby Zuercher

    by Toby Zuercher

    I was trying to edit some textures for my minecraft mod. I attempted to make the airbrush size bigger so that i could slightly color something, but ap More

  • jude pointing

    by jude pointing

    i use it for war thunder skins and for it being free, something else man

  • Haider Khan

    by Haider Khan

    I am enjoying while using this software. And very useful and user friendly.

  • Marissa Bond

    by Marissa Bond

    Software in Chinese. Cant understand a word. I had to Uninstall because it wasn't in English. Waste of time unless you understand the language it's wr More


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Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.