# 🎨 PhotoGIMP PhotoGIMP application icon [![GitHub stars](https://img.shields.io/github/stars/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP?style=social)](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP) [![License: GPL v3](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-GPLv3-blue.svg)](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0) [![Latest Release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP)](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/releases/latest) **PhotoGIMP** is a free, community-driven patch that transforms [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/) (GNU Image Manipulation Program) into a layout that feels familiar to **Adobe Photoshop** users. If you're switching from Photoshop to GIMP and want to feel at home right away, PhotoGIMP is for you. > **New to GIMP?** GIMP is a free and open-source image editor available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can do most things Photoshop can β€” photo retouching, image composition, graphic design, and more β€” all for free. PhotoGIMP just makes it *look and feel* more like Photoshop. --- ## ✨ Features - **Photoshop-like tool layout** β€” Tools are reorganized to mimic the positions you're used to in Adobe Photoshop. - **Custom Splash Screen** β€” A unique PhotoGIMP splash screen greets you on startup. - **Maximized canvas space** β€” Default settings are optimized to give you the largest possible working area. - **Photoshop keyboard shortcuts** β€” Keyboard shortcuts follow [Adobe's official documentation](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/default-keyboard-shortcuts.html) for the Windows version. - **Custom icon & name** β€” A dedicated `.desktop` file gives PhotoGIMP its own icon and app name in your system menu. --- ## πŸ“· Screenshots

PhotoGIMP Diolinux Splash Art PhotoGIMP Diolinux Splash Art

PhotoGIMP 3 GIMP 3.0 with the PhotoGIMP patch applied

--- ## πŸ“‹ Requirements Before installing PhotoGIMP, make sure you have: | Requirement | Details | |---|---| | **GIMP 3.0 or newer** | Download from: [gimp.org](https://www.gimp.org/downloads/) or [Flathub](https://flathub.org/apps/org.gimp.GIMP) (Linux) | | **Run GIMP at least once** | GIMP needs to generate its config files before PhotoGIMP can overwrite them. **Install GIMP β†’ open it β†’ close it β†’ then install PhotoGIMP.** | --- ## βš™ How to Install > [!WARNING] > **Back up your current GIMP settings before installing!** PhotoGIMP overwrites GIMP's configuration files. If you have custom settings you want to keep, save a backup copy first. See the backup instructions in each section below. --- ### 🐧 Flatpak (Linux) #### Backup (optional) If you want to keep your current GIMP settings, back them up first: ```bash cp -r ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 ~/GIMP-3.0-backup ``` #### Install 1. Make sure you already have GIMP installed [from Flathub](https://flathub.org/apps/org.gimp.GIMP). 2. **Open GIMP once, then close it** β€” this creates the config folders that PhotoGIMP needs. 3. Download the latest release: πŸ‘‰ **[Download PhotoGIMP for Linux (.zip)](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/releases/download/3.0/PhotoGIMP-linux.zip)** 4. Extract the `.zip` file **into your home folder** (`~`). - This will place files into `~/.config` and `~/.local`, which are hidden folders. - To see hidden folders in your file manager, press Ctrl + H. - When prompted about existing files, choose **"Replace"** or **"Overwrite"**. 5. Open GIMP β€” you should see the new PhotoGIMP layout! πŸŽ‰
πŸ’‘ Using a non-Flatpak GIMP? If you installed GIMP from your distro's package manager (apt, dnf, pacman, etc.) instead of Flatpak, the config folder is in the same location (`~/.config/GIMP/3.0`), so the steps above still work. Just make sure you have GIMP version 3.0 or newer.
--- ### πŸͺŸ Windows #### Backup (optional) If you want to keep your current GIMP settings, back them up first: 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. 2. Type `%APPDATA%\GIMP` and press Enter. 3. Copy the entire `3.0` folder to a safe location (e.g., your Desktop). #### Install 1. Make sure you have [GIMP installed from the official website](https://www.gimp.org/downloads/). 2. **Open GIMP once, then close it** β€” this creates the config folders that PhotoGIMP needs. 3. Download the latest release: πŸ‘‰ **[Download PhotoGIMP for Windows (.zip)](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/releases/download/3.0/PhotoGIMP.zip)** 4. Extract the contents of `PhotoGIMP.zip` to any folder (e.g., your Desktop). 5. Open the extracted folder and **copy the `3.0` folder**. 6. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. 7. Type `%APPDATA%\GIMP` and press Enter β€” this opens GIMP's settings folder. 8. **Paste** the `3.0` folder here. 9. When prompted about existing files, select **"Replace the files in the destination"**. 10. Open GIMP β€” you should see the new PhotoGIMP layout! πŸŽ‰
πŸ’‘ Optional: Change the GIMP shortcut icon You can also download [photogimp.ico](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/releases/download/3.0/photogimp.ico) and update the icon on the GIMP shortcut located at: ``` %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\GIMP 3.0.0 ``` Right-click the shortcut β†’ **Properties** β†’ **Change Icon** β†’ browse to the downloaded `.ico` file.
🍫 Install via Chocolatey (alternative) If you use [Chocolatey](https://chocolatey.org/), you can install PhotoGIMP with a single command: ```powershell choco install photogimp ``` Maintained by: [André Augusto](https://github.com/AndreAugustoDev)
--- :bulb: Tips: - Optionally, you can also download the [photogimp.ico](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/releases/download/3.0/photogimp.ico) and update the icon for the GIMP 3.x.x shortcut in `%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\`. On Windows 11 the path will likely be `C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\` instead; - If you want to backup your current GIMP settings before installing PhotoGIMP, copy the entire `3.0` folder from `%APPDATA%\GIMP` to a safe location before proceeding with the installation. ### 🍎 macOS #### Backup (optional) If you want to keep your current GIMP settings, back them up first: 1. Open Finder. 2. Press Cmd + Shift + G and go to `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP`. 3. Copy the entire `GIMP` folder to a safe location (e.g., your Desktop). #### Install 1. Make sure you have [GIMP installed from the official website](https://www.gimp.org/downloads/). 2. **Open GIMP once, then close it** β€” this creates the config folders that PhotoGIMP needs. 3. Download the latest release: πŸ‘‰ **[Download PhotoGIMP for macOS (.zip)](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/releases/download/3.0/PhotoGIMP.zip)** 4. Extract the contents of `PhotoGIMP.zip` to any folder (e.g., your Desktop). 5. Open the extracted folder and **copy the `3.0` folder**. 6. Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G to open "Go to Folder". 7. Type `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP` and press Enter. 8. If you see a `2.10` folder from a previous installation, **delete it** to avoid conflicts. 9. **Paste** the `3.0` folder inside the GIMP folder. 10. When prompted about existing files, select **"Replace"** or **"Merge"**. 11. Open GIMP β€” you should see the new PhotoGIMP layout! πŸŽ‰ --- ## πŸ“¦ What's Inside the Patch PhotoGIMP replaces or adds the following files in GIMP's configuration directory: | File / Folder | What it does | |---|---| | `shortcutsrc` | Keyboard shortcuts mapped to match Photoshop | | `toolrc` | Tool configuration and ordering | | `sessionrc` | Window layout and panel positions | | `dockrc` | Dock / panel configuration | | `gimprc` | General GIMP preferences (canvas, grid, etc.) | | `contextrc` | Active tool/color context settings | | `splashes/` | Custom PhotoGIMP splash screen | | `theme.css` | Minor UI theme adjustments | | `templaterc` | Pre-defined canvas templates | On Linux, the patch also installs: - A custom `.desktop` file (app launcher with PhotoGIMP name and icon) - A custom application icon in `~/.local/share/icons/` --- ## πŸ—‘ How to Uninstall To remove PhotoGIMP and restore GIMP to its default state, simply delete GIMP's config folder and reopen GIMP β€” it will regenerate fresh default settings. ### Linux ```bash rm -rf ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 ``` Then open GIMP again β€” it will create a brand new default configuration. If you made a backup earlier, restore it instead: ```bash cp -r ~/GIMP-3.0-backup ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 ``` ### Windows 1. Press Windows + R, type `%APPDATA%\GIMP` and press Enter. 2. Delete the `3.0` folder. 3. Open GIMP β€” it will recreate the default settings. Or restore your backup by pasting the backed-up `3.0` folder back. ### macOS 1. Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G. 2. Go to `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP`. 3. Delete the `3.0` folder. 4. Open GIMP β€” it will recreate the default settings. Or restore your backup by pasting the backed-up folder back. --- ## ❓ Troubleshooting / FAQ > [!CAUTION] > **PhotoGIMP does not have an official website.** The only official source for the project is its GitHub repository: https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/
PhotoGIMP didn't change anything β€” GIMP looks the same - Make sure you extracted the files to the **correct location**. The most common mistake is extracting to the wrong folder. - **Linux**: The `.config` and `.local` folders must be in your home directory (`~`). They are hidden β€” press Ctrl + H in your file manager to see them. - **Windows**: The `3.0` folder must be inside `%APPDATA%\GIMP`, not next to it. - **macOS**: The `3.0` folder must be inside `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP`. - Did you **close GIMP** before pasting the files? GIMP may overwrite incoming settings on exit.
I get an error when opening GIMP after installing PhotoGIMP - This usually means the GIMP version doesn't match. PhotoGIMP is built for **GIMP 3.0+**. If you're running GIMP 2.x, it won't be compatible. - Try deleting the config folder and reinstalling β€” see the [How to Uninstall](#-how-to-uninstall) section.
Can I use PhotoGIMP with GIMP 2.10? No. This version of PhotoGIMP is designed exclusively for **GIMP 3.0 and newer**. The configuration format changed significantly between GIMP 2.x and 3.x.
Will PhotoGIMP delete my custom brushes, fonts, or plug-ins? No. PhotoGIMP only replaces configuration files (shortcuts, layout, preferences). Your personal brushes, fonts, gradients, and plug-ins remain untouched.
Can I customize the shortcuts after installing PhotoGIMP? Absolutely! PhotoGIMP just sets a starting point. You can change any shortcut in GIMP via **Edit β†’ Keyboard Shortcuts**.
How do I update PhotoGIMP to a new version? Just download the latest release and follow the installation steps again β€” it will overwrite the previous PhotoGIMP configuration.
--- ## 🀝 Contributing Found a bug? Have a suggestion? We'd love your help! - **Report an issue**: [Open an issue](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/issues) - **Submit a fix**: [Create a pull request](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/pulls) - **Translate**: Help us translate the README into more languages! See the [Translations](#-translations) section. --- ## 🌍 Translations This README is available in other languages: - πŸ‡§πŸ‡· [PortuguΓͺs (Brazilian Portuguese)](./docs/README_pt.md) - πŸ‡΅πŸ‡± [Polski (Polish)](./docs/README_pl.md) - πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί [Русский (Russian)](./docs/README_ru.md) Want to add your language? Fork the repo, create a `docs/README_xx.md` file, and submit a pull request! --- ## πŸ† Credits - This project would not be possible without the amazing [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/) team. - A BIG thanks to all Diolinux's supporters on [YouTube](https://youtube.com/Diolinux). - Splash screen & icons from [Adriel Filipe Design](https://bento.me/adrielfilipedesign). --- ## πŸ‘₯ Contributors --- ## πŸ“„ License PhotoGIMP is licensed under the [GNU General Public License v3.0](./LICENSE).