Gimp 2.9.5 for Windows Users

[rich2005]

Nateart is new to Gimp, has Gimp 2.8.22 installed and is also trying out a Windows version of Gimp 2.9.5 from http://www.partha.com

This is a nice version, quite stable and since it does not replace Gimp 2.8.x is worth using until Gimp 2.10 comes along.

However Nateart initial view of Gimp is this. A very black theme, a lot of contrast with the canvas.

   

What can you do about that? All the settings are in the Edit -> Preferences dialogues.

The area around the canvas is called the padding found in Image -> Appearance This can be changed from using the theme setting to a Custom color by clicking in the little color icon and selecting.

   

The Black theme too black? That can be changed in Interface -> Theme
Your own bespoke theme can be used but that is best left for another day.

   

In Gimp 2.9.5 unlike Gimp 2.8 changing the theme does not change the tool icons, making them difficult to see with a light theme. 
Use Interface -> Icon Theme In the Partha version the Color theme seems missing but the Legacy is there (1) Icons too small, use Custom icon size, and increase from small to medium. (2)

   

When all that is finished and you have Gimp set up the way you want, just a reminder you can fix this so Gimp starts up the same every time. In Windows Management untick Save Window positions on exit, click on Save Windows Positions Now Just a personal preference of mine

   

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Next is just a comment on the Windows default Gimp Profile

Looking in Folders -> (any of the resources, say plug-ins)

The default Gimp profile is C:\Users\your-name\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\2.9 What sort of craziness is that?



My advice is make new convenient folders for the resources you use, plug-ins / scripts / brushes ..etc
Add each, in the appropriate section, to the location list.



Happy Gimping

edit: Looking at the Partha installation, There are no MyPaint Brushes installed
So this thread on how to install a new Gimp 2.9.5 resource folder.

https://www.gimp-forum.net/Thread-MyPain...39#pid2339

[Nateart]

Awesomeness!! Thanks for all the tips... great info - I did try the themes, can live with black until that other "bespoke" theme thing (???) is available. Making icons larger would no doubt help.
Rich, you're my best source for anything Gimp (this addle-brained artist needs all the help he can get, but I don't want to wear out my welcome - if I haven't already)

[RStJohn]

Good stuff Rich, any thoughts on 2.9.5 standard 64 bit vs,2.9.5 cce 64 bit? I moved from Std to color corrected everything seems to be the same except for the color correction.
BTW can't wait for 2.9.6 and the long awaited release of 2.10 as I work-flow is Lightroom 5 raw / GIMP. I understand the new versions will recognize the mainstream raw file formats.

[Ofnuts]

(07-29-2017, 07:16 PM)RStJohn Wrote: Good stuff Rich, any thoughts on 2.9.5 standard 64 bit vs,2.9.5 cce 64 bit? I moved from Std to color corrected everything seems to be the same except for the color correction.
BTW can't wait for 2.9.6 and the long awaited release of 2.10 as I work-flow is Lightroom 5 raw / GIMP. I understand the new versions will recognize the mainstream raw file formats.

RAW formats are loaded by separate plugins. IIRC there is already one for Gimp 2.9.5 (Photoflow) bu there are a few more for Gimp 2.8 (UFRaw, Nufraw...).
 
Otherwise, plenty of RAW-processing applications in the FOSS world: RawTherapee, DarkTable, Digikam...

If you are in photography and open source software, you should follow/join Pixls.us.

[rich2005]

I use a linux 2.9.5

For the photography I do (basic), the regular 2.9.5 is fine. When it comes to RAW import, it is a matter of preference. Probably better off using the application that comes with your camera, but I go straight into Gimp.

Personally I do not like the Photoflow plugin interface, RawTherapee is good. Some applications, Digikam etc. seem intent on taking over the computer, so I stick with the nUFRaw Gimp plugin. This is included in that Partha CCE package.

Basically I use it without much 'tweaking' - leave that to Gimp. Set the bit depth to 16, click save and there-you-are, straight into Gimp.

screenshot in Windows: http://i.imgur.com/ohqBunK.jpg

[grit]

Where to download GIM 2.9 for Windows? I followed the link to nightly builds but there is nothing there.

[Ofnuts]

Use http://www.partha.com. AFAIK not the nightly builds (that can be unusable....), but something that has got at least a smoke test.

[RStJohn]

(08-04-2017, 12:13 PM)grit Wrote: Where to download GIM 2.9 for Windows? I followed the link to nightly builds but there is nothing there.

Me too. No Joy Heres the URL I used: https://www.partha.com/
Scroll th the bottom, OS choices there. Enjoy

[grit]

GIMp 2.9.5 doesn't have Distort->IWarp .

[rich2005]

It is still there, upgraded to work directly on the canvas.



and a hint. If you press the ? 'slash' / key (or get it from the help menu) it brings up a search box, enter a guess and you get the possibilities.



Edit: A new tool is the n-point deformation tool. Still a bit experimental, enable it from Edit -> Preferences -> Playground.

looks like this: http://i.imgur.com/pUKHJta.jpg

slow on large images, best with small images.