GIMP for MAC
Free, open-source image editor for photo retouching, image editing and graphic design.
GIMP Overview
GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free, open-source image editor for Mac, Windows and Linux. It covers photo retouching, image composition and graphic design, with layers, masks, selections, filters and painting tools, and it is the best-known free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. GIMP is made by volunteers of the GIMP team and released under the GPLv3 license, with no ads, subscriptions or paid features.
GIMP 3 brought non-destructive filters, multi-layer selection and a modern interface, and the 3.2 series continues that work. On the Mac there are separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and both need macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.
Key Features
GIMP gives you a complete set of image editing tools that you can extend with plug-ins and scripts.
- Layers and masks: layer groups, layer masks, blend modes, and selecting and moving several layers at once.
- Non-destructive filters: apply filters such as blur, sharpen and color adjustments as editable effects that you can change or remove later.
- Selections: rectangle, ellipse, free, fuzzy and color selection, plus Foreground Select for cutting out people and objects.
- Retouching: heal, clone, perspective clone, smudge and dodge and burn tools for fixing photos.
- Color tools: levels, curves, hue and saturation, color balance and more, with color management through ICC profiles.
- Painting: brushes, MyPaint brushes, gradients and pen tablet support with pressure.
- Paths and text: draw precise paths with the Paths tool and add editable text layers.
- Wide file support: PNG, JPEG, TIFF, WebP, HEIF, AVIF, JPEG XL, PDF and PSD files, as well as GIMP's own XCF.
- Plug-ins and scripting: extend GIMP with plug-ins and automate tasks with Python 3 and Script-Fu.
What’s New in Version 3.2.6
GIMP 3.2.6 is a bug-fix release with security fixes.
- Cut now works on the same area across all unlocked layers in a layer group
- Color Picker's Sample Merged now includes filters applied to a single layer
- Faster start-up and text tool when many fonts are installed
- Support for pen barrel rotation, for example on the Wacom Art Pen
- Fixes for 28 security issues (CVEs)
- Mac: title bars follow the light or dark theme, standard macOS menus, Cmd works in number fields, and finer touchpad panning
GIMP FAQ
Is GIMP free for Mac?
Yes. GIMP is free and open source, released under the GPLv3 license. There are no ads, subscriptions or paid features.
Does GIMP run on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. GIMP has separate Mac downloads for Apple Silicon and for Intel Macs, so it runs natively on both.
Which macOS version does GIMP need?
GIMP 3.2.6 needs macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.
Is GIMP a good free alternative to Photoshop?
For many tasks, yes. GIMP has layers, masks, selections, retouching tools and non-destructive filters, which covers most photo editing and design work. It works differently from Photoshop, so expect some time to learn it.
Can GIMP open Photoshop PSD files?
Yes. GIMP opens PSD files with their layers and can export to PSD. Some Photoshop-only features, such as adjustment layers, may not come across exactly.
How do I remove a background in GIMP?
Use the Foreground Select or Fuzzy Select tool to select the background or the subject, add a transparency channel to the layer (Layer, Transparency, Add Alpha Channel), delete the background and export the image as PNG.
How do I save a picture as JPEG or PNG in GIMP?
Choose File, then Export As, and type a name ending in .jpg or .png. File, Save always saves in GIMP's own XCF format, which keeps layers for later editing.
Is GIMP safe to install on a Mac?
Yes, when you download it from the official website, gimp.org, which is where the download button on this page leads. GIMP is open source, and version 3.2.6 fixes 28 security issues, so keeping it up to date matters.
How do I update GIMP on my Mac?
Download the latest version for your Mac from gimp.org and replace the old copy in your Applications folder. Your settings, brushes and plug-ins are kept.
Where does the GIMP download on gimp.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to GIMP's official download page at https://www.gimp.org/downloads/. gimp.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the installer.
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