@unwarlikeExtortion Sure - what additional things would you like accessible via API? Public docs for reference: https://developer.gimp.org/resource/api/
As for separation, the styling of elements is done via separate (GTK3 subset of) CSS so that’s fairly flexible. The GUI elements themselves are defined in C, which is less flexible but we do separate them out in source in our /widgets and /gui folders as best we can.
@BlackLaZoR @Vosh I think lots of people talk about it. :)
We have a dedicated UX site for people share to feedback on that very topic, which we try to implement as we can: https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/GIMP/Design/gimp-ux/-/work/_items
The hope is that over time, designers will get more comfortable and work on larger design challenges (like how new code contributors start small and hopefully grow to develop more complex features)
@janus2 @Vosh You’ll be happy to know it’s in the cards. Proof of Concept now that we have vector layers: https://fosstodon.org/@CmykStudent/116455148076446506
I haven’t touched it lately since a new contributor was interested in implementing it, but one way or the other I hope to get it into 3.4.
@Hadriscus @phoenixz Just FYI, that’s from our testing page (note the subdomain), so it’ll give you a 404 again once we push it from drafts to the live site.
@schnurrito @thingsiplay Yes, the XML is for file structure descriptions not binary data.
The GEGL buffers we use for image data in GIMP can be synced across files, so this new format will allow us to quickly auto-save the image/layer/etc to file as you make edits. Still in-progress work, but it’s really cool.
@atomicbocks @anewfox We actually have a UX site where we ask for user feedback and design suggestions - no coding required! https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/GIMP/Design/gimp-ux/-/work/_items
Feel free to contribute if interested. It’s not always immediately possible to implement everything, but we do our best as we’re able - recent news posts have included a UX/UI section so we can highlight the work being done and show that we *are* willing to take feedback. :)
@SkavarSharraddas @Vosh @AllNewTypeFace Actually, there’s been “official” development on that front: https://www.gimp.org/docs/userfaq.html#i-dont-like-the-name-gimp-will-you-change-it
@Paranoidfactoid No worries! I think I misunderstood what you meant by “mask”. Technically, each filter has an associated mask (set to the active selection when applying the filter) - we just don’t have the UI yet to edit it after the fact. It’s on the TODO list.
I have a pending merge request for exporting Inkscape SVGs that didn’t quite make it into 3.2. I’d like to add better SVG import (as vector not raster) integration as well - Inkscape is awesome.
@Paranoidfactoid Trust me, I’m well aware the UX can be a lot better - I’m the person who implemented initial non-destructive filters for GIMP 3.0. :)
I’m just saying that it can be done in GIMP right now, and I linked a plug-in that makes it easier (it adds a menu option that does all I said in a single step). I’m happy to hear feedback from people who use GIMP on how to improve it further.
@Paranoidfactoid @monica_b1998 We actually do have masking on Adjustment Layer Groups. Basically, make a layer group in passthrough mode, put whatever combination of filters you want on it, then add a layer mask.
Someone even made a plug-in to simplify that process while we continue to work on the UX: https://github.com/yousei3/GIMP3-Aseudo-Adjustment-Layers/releases/tag/Ver1.0
@Blue_Morpho @mech We actually welcome user feedback and try to make improvements as we’re able. We have a dedicated UX site now (https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/GIMP/Design/gimp-ux/-/issues) and we encourage people to share designs and discuss proposals for implementation.
@anticurrent @webdoodle We have non-destructive filters now, so you can apply pretty much any filter as a “layer style”. Like, you can add a Drop Shadow, Outer Glow, etc to any layer and it will be adjustable afterwards (unless you choose to merge down).
We have vector layers in 3.2, so it’s just a matter of designing a tool to make “preset” vector layers in certain shapes. We have it as GSoC project for this summer, so hopefully someone will take it up soon!
@grue We’ll see! Might be kept for historic reasons.
@clb92 @daggermoon We have a UX design issue tracker specifically for feedback on the user experience - feel free to share specific concerns, no donation required! https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/GIMP/Design/gimp-ux/-/work/_items
We also now dedicate a section in our release/news post to UX improvements, to further encourage people to contribute in that area: https://www.gimp.org/news/2026/08/16/dev-update-august-2026/#user-experience-and-interface-updates
https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/GIMP/Design/gimp-ux/-/work_items