GIMP 2.7.2 Released — Another Step Toward 2.8

An anonymous reader writes "The developers of GIMP have finally released a new development version on the way to GIMP 2.8. GIMP 2.7.2 includes a huge bunch of changes — but it is not intended for production use. 'The new release comprises layer groups (which were introduced after 2.7.1), an almost done text-on-canvas feature, the all-new brush engine and of course the new single window mode.'"

Comments

One reason alone

[MonsterTrimble]

'The new release comprises layer groups (which were introduced after 2.7.1), an almost done text-on-canvas feature, the all-new brush engine and of course the new single window mode.'"

Single window mode is all you need to know about why you should upgrade.

Re:One reason alone

[JanneM]

"Single window mode is all you need to know about why you should upgrade."

As long as I can not use single-window mode I'm happy to upgrade. If it becomes the only way to use gimp, it's time to fork the code.

Re:One reason alone

[vux984]

I have several (6) monitors, and being able to spread stuff out is nice.

You do, of course, realize the vast majority of people using the software have a single monitor, right. A tiny fraction have 2. The number of people on the planet with 6 monitors using gimp regularly would probably fit in my garage.

So although you are happy with your setup, and the way you organize windows works for you, its not an option for most people.

Re:One reason alone

[lahvak]

OK, I will bite. Just some of the reasons I like multiple windows better:

* Multiple windows actually do not cover as much screen space as a single window, so I can have several GIMP windows arranged with several other programs, and use them together.

* With a good window manager, it is easier to hide and show individual components of the program. Windows can iconify or shade at a key-press or mouse click.

* I can send some windows to different virtual desktop. I can make my toolboxes sticky, and put one image on each virtual desktop, and easily switch between them.

* I can tear of a frequently used menu and arrange it on the screen next to my toolbox, or where ever I want it.

* If I have multiple monitors, I can put some windows on one of them, and others on another.

* With some window managers, I can make some windows translucent, so you can see what's behind them. That way I can cram more stuff on a small monitor.

Most of these I actually use with GIMP all the time. I am not saying that GIMP user interface is perfect, but the multiple window interface in my opinion is not a problem. In general I think that for a sufficiently complicated program a multiple window interface is vastly superior to a single window one.

One think I really miss in GIMP is an ability to easily create my own custom toolboxes and menus where I could place frequently used operations for different types of work. Right now I have to constantly hunt for things in the ever expanding menu structure.

Re:One reason alone

[jabelli]

The PhotoShop ones are "Palette Windows" (WS_EX_PALETTEWINDOW in Win32-land) and so go with the main window and the window manager knows not to give them separate entries on the task bar and alt-tab list. However, they added this as an option somewhere in the 2.6 series, as I have it set that way.

Well, knowing Adobe, they're probably some owner-drawn hack instead.

If you open more than one image, however, GIMP gets one window per image, while Photoshop still has a single entry in the window manager.

Re:Still in use?

[pipatron]

Maybe your motor skills improved since then, have you tried using a mouse the last years?

Re:Still in use?

[nedlohs]

Lots of people use gimp. But no it won't be worth your time.

Wake Me When They Change The Name

[RobotRunAmok]

Yeah, I know, Noble Open Source coders are supposed to be above the cosmetic issues and petty concerns of Man's World, but when you are looking for credibility amongst designers, illustrators, photographers and other arts professionals, would it really hurt -- would you really lose so much integrity -- to slap this thing with a flashier moniker than "G.I.M.P."?

And if not, why GIMP? Why not just go for the gold in the shoot-your-own-snarky-foot Olympics, call it TARD or DOUCHE or FLACCID? I'm sure who ever came up with "GNU Image Manipulation Program" could just as easily reverse-engineer an acronym for HOMO or DICKLESS...

Re:Wake Me When They Change The Name

[serviscope_minor]

blah blah blah GIMP sounds funny blah blah blah

Does anyone really care about this anymore? Everyone I know who has started using the GIMP had a chuckle about the name, then really forgot about the name and got on with editing photos.

Basically, noone cares anymore.

And also, language changes. Google "gimp". You have to get to the bottom of the second page before you reach an "urban dictionary" definition of the old meaning. The first two whole pages are about image manipulation.

Re:Coming anytime now

[Geeky]

OK, I'll bite.

Has it got colour management yet?

I switched from Linux to Windows for Photoshop and OS level colour management (with support for calibration tools). No brainer unless you want to spend more than the cost of Photoshop on printer ink and paper.

Help Wanted

[jensend]

A decade ago, the GIMP was one of the jewels of open source, something everyone would show off to others as an example of what open source development could accomplish. But it's been so short of manpower that it's largely stagnated for quite a while. They could really use some help. See Nordholt's latest blog entry for some related thoughts.

Re:Still in use?

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

Have they made any interface changes for this new Gimp branch? I'm looking for something powerful and intuitively accessible, like Blender.