How to Install GIMP on Fedora 36 Linux

GIMP, or GNU Image Manipulation Program, is an open-source program used for many different purposes. Its primary function centers around graphic design and editing images and transcoding between various image formats, free-form drawing, and many more specialized tasks. GIMP is released under GPL-3.0-or-later license and is available for Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows.

In the following tutorial, you will learn to install the GIMP on Fedora 36 Linux using one of two methods: dnf package manager, or flatpak package manager, along with some tips for maintaining or removing GIMP in the future.

Update Fedora Linux

Before you begin, make sure your system is up-to-date to avoid any conflicts during the installation, and for good practice, use the terminal command as follows.

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Install GIMP – DNF Method

The first option is to use the Fedora 36 default DNF repository. This is a stable and secure version and is most recommended to install over any other package manager but can be outdated compared to Flatpaks alternative option that is usually up-to-date if not further ahead of even Fedora packages.

First, execute the following dnf install command.

sudo dnf install gimp -y

Install GIMP – Flatpak Method

The second option is to use the Flatpak package manager that most often is natively installed on your Fedora workstation. The benefit of Flatpaks is that they can often be ahead of a version or two from Fedora, depending on the release cycle/updates of the software and the Flatpak package maintainer. However, in most cases in Fedora, you would want to install the DNF version above, depending on your preferences.

First, re-install Flatpak if you have removed the package manager previously.

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

Next, you need to enable Flatpack using the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

For users re-installing Flatpak for the first time, it is often recommended to reboot your system. Failure to do this can occur with odd issues arising, such as paths not being generated for icons.

reboot

SKIP THE REBOOT IF FLATPAK WAS ALREADY INSTALLED.

Now install GIMP using the following flatpak command:

flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP -y

If the above command does not work and you receive the “error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can’t fetch summary from disabled remote ‘flathub’‘ use the following command.

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

This will fix the issue.

How to Launch GIMP

Now that you have the GIMP installed, launching can be done in a few ways.

For users with their terminal open, you can launch the application immediately using the following command.

gimp

Flatpak users can run from the terminal using the following command.

flatpak run org.gimp.GIMP

However, this isn’t practical, and you would use the following path on your desktop.

Activities > Show Applications > GNU Image Manipulation Program

Example:

Once you open GIMP, you will see the first default landing screen.

Example:

Congratulations, you have successfully installed GIMP.

How to Update/Upgrade GIMP

Updates should appear in notifications, but if these fail to show sometimes, it is recommended to check using the terminal regardless use one of the following commands to check for updates.

DNF Method

sudo dnf update --refresh

Flatpak Method

flatpak update

How to Remove (Uninstall) GIMP

Use one of the following commands to suit the original installation method for users who no longer require the paint application.

DNF Remove Method

sudo dnf autoremove gimp

Flatpak Remove Method

flatpak remove  --delete-data org.gimp.GIMP -y

Next, run the following command for any leftover clean-ups required, similar to the autoremove command described for the DNF remove example command.

flatpak remove --unused

Comments and Conclusion

Overall, GIMP stands above many other applications of its nature as it offers a great, streamlined workflow which makes it easier for beginners to get started with the application. GIMP also has an easy-to-customize UI that can help accelerate workflows in online digital photography. It is worth a look.