GIMP, or the GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a powerful open-source image editing software that can be used for many creative tasks, from photo retouching to graphic design. It is available for multiple operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and Mac. It has many features make it a popular choice among photographers, digital artists, and designers.
One of the key advantages of GIMP is its versatility. It supports a wide range of file formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and PSD, and it has powerful tools for color correction, image manipulation, and compositing. It also offers advanced features such as layer masks, channels, and filters that enable users to create complex image compositions and special effects.
Another advantage of GIMP is that it is open-source software, meaning it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This has led to a large and active community of developers constantly improving and expanding the software’s capabilities through plugins, scripts, and other add-ons.
If you are using Fedora Linux, you may want to install GIMP to take advantage of its powerful image editing capabilities. This guide will demonstrate how to install GIMP on Fedora using the command line terminal with Fedora’s default repository or Flatpak with Flathub. By the end of this guide, you will have a fully functional version of GIMP installed on your Fedora machine, ready to help you create stunning images and graphics.
Table of Contents
Update Fedora
It is recommended that you update all existing packages on your system before proceeding to avoid potential conflicts.
sudo dnf upgrade --refreshMethod 1: Install GIMP with Fedora Repository
The default DNF repository from Fedora is the first option available for installing GIMP. It is a well-maintained software that is highly rated and can be considered a stable and secure version to install over any other package manager. However, this version may be slightly outdated compared to the alternative option of using Flatpak, which is usually up-to-date and can even be ahead of Fedora packages.
To install GIMP using the default DNF repository, execute the following dnf install command:
sudo dnf install gimp If desired, you can install the “devel” package using the following command.
sudo dnf install gimp-develTo confirm the successful installation and build of GIMP, you may use the following command in your terminal.
gimp --versionMethod 2: Install GIMP with Flatpak and Flathub
The second available option for installing GIMP is using the Flatpak package manager, which is natively installed on your Fedora workstation. The primary advantage of using Flatpaks is that they can sometimes be a version or two ahead of what is available on Fedora, depending on the release cycle and updates of the software and the Flatpak package maintainer. However, in most cases on Fedora, it is recommended to install the DNF version based on your preferences.
To begin the installation process using Flatpak, make sure to re-install Flatpak if you had previously removed the package manager:
sudo dnf install flatpak To proceed, you must enable Flatpak by executing the following command in your terminal:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoYou may now proceed with the installation of GIMP using the following flatpak command:
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMPIn the event that the previous command does not work, and you receive an error message such as “Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can’t fetch summary from disabled remote ‘flathub,” you can try using the following command instead.
flatpak remote-modify --enable flathubLaunch GIMP on Fedora Linux
With GIMP now installed on your system, there are several ways to launch the application. If you have an open terminal, you can quickly launch the application using the following command.
gimpFor Flatpak users, the application can be launched from the terminal by executing the following command:
flatpak run org.gimp.GIMPIf you do not have an open terminal, the most common way to launch the application is to use the applications menu. You can find the application icon as follows.
Activities > Show Applications > GNU Image Manipulation ProgramExample:
Upon launching GIMP for the first time, you will be greeted with the default landing screen. This screen provides various resources to help you get started with the software. Below are some tips for using GIMP for the first time and customizing the software to your liking:
- Familiarize yourself with the interface: The GIMP interface can be overwhelming initially, but learning the different panels and tools will make your experience much smoother. The left-hand side of the screen contains the Toolbox, which houses all the basic tools for editing images, while the right-hand side contains various panels for navigation, layers, and other advanced options.
- Customize the interface: One of the benefits of GIMP is the ability to customize the interface to your liking. You can move panels around or detach them from the main window to create a more personalized workspace.
- Change the keyboard shortcuts: GIMP has an extensive set of keyboard shortcuts that can help you speed up your workflow. However, these shortcuts may not be intuitive for everyone. You can change these shortcuts in the Preferences menu under Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Set up your color profile: GIMP allows you to choose a color profile that matches your monitor, ensuring that the colors you see on the screen are accurate. You can set up your color profile in the Preferences menu under Color Management.
- Install plugins and scripts: GIMP has a large community of developers who create plugins and scripts that can add new functionality to the software. You can find and install these plugins through the GIMP Plugin Registry or other third-party sources.
- Save your preferences: Once you have customized GIMP to your liking, you can save your preferences by going to the Preferences menu and selecting Save Preferences.
Example of GIMP UI:
Congratulations, you have successfully installed GIMP.
Additional Tips
Remove GIMP on Fedora Linux
If you no longer require GIMP on your Fedora Linux system, you can use the following commands to remove it, depending on the original installation method:
- For installations of GIMP using the DNF package manager, use the following command:
sudo dnf remove gimpFor installations of GIMP using Flatpak, use the following command:
flatpak remove --delete-data org.gimp.GIMPConclusion
In conclusion, GIMP is a powerful image editing software available for Fedora Linux users. Following this article’s step-by-step guide, you can install GIMP on your Fedora machine using either the default DNF repository or Flatpak package manager. Additionally, this guide provides tips on customizing the GIMP interface and workflow to suit your preferences, such as changing keyboard shortcuts, setting up your color profile, and installing plugins and scripts. If you no longer require GIMP on your Fedora system, the guide also explains how to remove it using the appropriate command based on your original installation method. With GIMP, you can take your image editing skills to the next level and create stunning visuals for personal or professional use.
FAQs on GIMP with Fedora
Q: What is GIMP, and how does it differ from other image editing software?
A: GIMP is a powerful open-source image editing software available for multiple operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and Mac. It has many features make it a popular choice among photographers, digital artists, and designers. Unlike many other image editing programs, GIMP is free to use, modify, and distribute. It supports various file formats and offers advanced features such as layer masks, channels, and filters.
Q: Can GIMP be used for professional image editing?
A: Yes, GIMP can be used for professional image editing, and its wide range of features and tools makes it a popular choice among photographers, digital artists, and designers. While it may not have some of the more specialized features of other high-end image editing software, GIMP is a powerful and versatile tool that can handle most image editing tasks.
Q: Can I customize the GIMP interface?
A: Yes, you can customize the GIMP interface to your liking. You can move panels around or detach them from the main window to create a more personalized workspace. You can also change the keyboard shortcuts and set up your color profile to match your monitor.
Q: Can I install plugins and scripts in GIMP?
A: Yes, GIMP has a large community of developers who create plugins and scripts that can add new functionality to the software. You can find and install these plugins through the GIMP Plugin Registry or other third-party sources.
Q: Is GIMP free to use, modify, and distribute?
A: Yes, GIMP is licensed under the GNU General Public License, which allows users to use, modify, and distribute the software freely. This means that you can use GIMP for personal or commercial use without any licensing fees.
Q: How does GIMP compare to other image editing software like Photoshop?
A: While GIMP may not have some of the more specialized features of high-end image editing software like Photoshop, it is a powerful and versatile tool that can handle most image editing tasks. GIMP is free to use and offers a wide range of features and tools that make it a popular choice among photographers, digital artists, and designers.
Q: Can I use GIMP to edit RAW image files?
A: Yes, GIMP can handle RAW image files, although you may need to install a plugin or add-on. One popular RAW editor for GIMP is called “UFRaw,” which you can download and install for free.
Q: Are there any limitations to using GIMP for professional image editing?
A: While GIMP is a powerful and versatile tool, there may be some limitations to using it for professional image editing. For example, some high-end image editing software may have more advanced features for working with large files or specialized workflows. However, for most image editing tasks, GIMP is a great choice for personal and professional use.
Q: What file formats does GIMP support on Fedora Linux?
A: GIMP supports various file formats on Fedora, including popular image files types like JPEG, PNG, and GIF. It supports more advanced file types like PSD (Adobe Photoshop), XCF (GIMP’s native file format), and RAW image files. In addition, GIMP can handle vector graphics files like SVG and some 3D graphics files like OBJ and COLLADA. GIMP also supports exporting files in various formats, allowing you to save your images in the format that best suits your needs.