GIMP

Overview

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful, free, open-source raster graphics editor. It supports photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. GIMP is used in our Computer Graphics course as the professional-grade free alternative to Adobe Photoshop.

Key Features

• Comprehensive photo retouching and manipulation tools
• Support for layers, masks, channels, and paths
• Customisable brushes, gradients, and patterns
• Supports major image formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PSD, and more
• Scriptable automation via Script-Fu and Python-Fu
• Plugin ecosystem for extended functionality

Documentation

Official documentation and tutorials are at gimp.org/docs. The GIMP Documentation includes a comprehensive user manual, tutorials for beginners, and scripting guides.

How to Install & Use

1. Download GIMP from gimp.org/downloads for your operating system.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps.
3. On first launch, GIMP will set up user files — this takes a moment.
4. Go to Edit > Preferences to customise the workspace and toolbars.
5. Install additional brushes and plugins from the GIMP Plugin Registry if needed.

Limitations & Notes

• GIMP works primarily with raster images; for vector graphics use Inkscape instead.
• CMYK colour mode for print work is not natively supported (requires a plugin).
• The interface can feel unfamiliar to Photoshop users — allow time to adjust.
• 16-bit and 32-bit per channel editing is available but can be slower on older hardware.