Keram's Book Report

GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, is an open-source image editing suite. And if you know me, you know I love the open source. The GIMP community has developed numerous plugins to extend its functionality, catering to a broad range of needs for digital artists and photographers. It’s important to download these plugins from official and trusted sources to ensure security and efficiency in your digital workspace. Gimp has some super powers, you just have to get it all set up. The cool thing is, besides you choice to donate to the community, it’s free.

One of the first things you might want to try is to make GIMP look and feel more like Photoshop! For that let’s refer to Tom’s Hardware guide to installing PhotoGIMP

And without further ado, here are 10 great plugins you must install for GIMP.

G’MIC

G’MIC is a framework offering a wide range of filters and effects. It provides tools for photo transformation and the creation of patterns, with regular updates introducing new features.

Resynthesizer

Resynthesizer is a tool for removing objects from photos, offering capabilities for texture repair and blending.

BIMP – Batch Image Manipulation Plugin

BIMP automates the application of actions to multiple files, streamlining the editing process for batches of images.

Simplify

Simplify reduces unnecessary nodes in paths, aiding in the creation of smoother curves and cleaner lines.

GIMP Painter

GIMP Painter adds a variety of artistic brushes to GIMP, expanding the toolset for digital painting and texturing.

RawTherapee

RawTherapee is a RAW image processor that integrates with GIMP, offering a set of tools for non-destructive editing.

Raw Therapee

Liquid Rescale

Liquid Rescale allows for changing the aspect ratio of images without distorting key elements, through content-aware scaling.

Darktable

Darktable is an open-source photography workflow application and raw developer. As a GIMP plugin, it enables direct opening and processing of raw images within GIMP, offering a comprehensive set of tools for non-destructive editing. This integration enhances GIMP’s capabilities in handling raw photos, providing photographers with an advanced editing workflow.

Cyan

Cyan provides CMYK color support for GIMP, facilitating print project workflows.

Hugin

Hugin is a tool for creating panoramas, integrating with GIMP to stitch together multiple images into a single panoramic view.

Quick Guide to Installing GIMP Add-ons and Plugins

To install add-ons and plugins for GIMP, follow these steps. Note that the process may vary slightly based on your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and the specific plugin or add-on you’re installing.

1. Download the Plugin or Add-on

• Source: Always download from reputable sources to avoid security issues. Preferred sources include official GIMP plugin repositories or trusted developers’ websites.
• File Type: Plugins and scripts are usually available in .zip or .tar.gz formats. Make sure to download the correct version compatible with your GIMP installation.

2. Extract the Files

Most plugins come compressed in .zip or .tar.gz formats. Use your operating system’s archive manager to extract these files. You will typically end up with either .py (Python scripts), .scm (Scheme scripts), or binary plugin files.

3. Locate the GIMP Plugins or Scripts Folder

• Open GIMP and go to Edit > Preferences > Folders > Plugins or Scripts to find the location of your plugins or scripts folder.
• GIMP has two folders listed: one in your user directory and another for system-wide installation. You can choose either, but placing plugins in your user directory is generally safer and doesn’t require administrative rights.

4. Install the Plugin or Script

• Copy the extracted plugin or script files into the appropriate GIMP folder (Plugins or Scripts) based on the file type (.py, .scm, or binary).
• If the plugin is a binary, ensure it has execution permissions. On Linux or macOS, you might need to run chmod +x plugin-name in the terminal.

5. Restart GIMP

Close and reopen GIMP. The software will automatically detect and add the new plugin or script to the appropriate menu. If it’s a plugin, it typically appears under Filters, but this can vary.

If you encounter issues, verify that you placed the files in the correct folder, that you have the right permissions set, and that the plugin or script is compatible with your version of GIMP. For further assistance, consult the GIMP user manual or seek help from the GIMP community forums.