Gimp 2.6 is available
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Version 2.6.0 of the image editor Gimp software is available for Unix-like systems (in source code form) and Windows (as a package ready to use).
The precompiled version for Mac OS X should make its appearance soon. The precompiled version for Mac OS X should make its appearance soon. Note that GTK (which is used by Gimp) is now available in native version for Mac OS X. Note that GTK (which is used by Gimp) is now available in native version for Mac OS X. We do not yet know if the version of Mac OS X Gimp will adopt or continue to operate under X. We do not yet know if the Mac OS X version of Gimp will adopt or continue to operate under X.
The user interface has been refocused on the image to be processed. The menu box of tools is migrated to the main window. The user interface has refocused been on the image to be processed. The menu box of tools is migrated to the main window. This new format divert less accustomed software competitors (like Photoshop). This new format divert less accustomed competitors software (like Photoshop). The selection tools and brushes are also significantly improved. The selection tools and brushes are also significantly improved. The same function for text entry, more practical. The same function for text entry, more practical.
But the biggest updates is under the hood. Gimp 2.6 uses the Generic Graphics Library (GEGL), which can treat each component of the image with numbers floating in 32-bit (rather than with 8 bits per component). But the biggest updates is under the hood. Gimp 2.6 uses the Generic Graphics Library (GEGL), which can treat each component of the image with numbers floating in 32-bit (rather than with 8 bits per component). This feature was requested by the community, as necessary for treatment without loss of raw format photographs (including more than 8 data bits per component). This feature was requested by the community, as necessary for treatment without loss of raw format photographs (including more than 8 data bits per component).
This code is still being integrated, but a preliminary GEGL can be activated by the user. This code is still being integrated, but a preliminary GEGL can be activated by the user. Cairo also improves rendering (and accurate) of certain components of the interface. Cairo also improves rendering (and accurate) of certain components of the interface.
Finally, note that the code to import files from Photoshop has been completely rewritten. Finally note that the code to import files from Photoshop has been completely rewritten. It now manages the ICC color profiles. Now it manages the ICC color profiles.
