Following 6 years of work, a new version of the open source graphics software has been released completing the port to the new GEGL image processing library. This step is a pre-requisite for fully non-destructive editing which is planned for the version 3.2 release and also adds several other benefits including support for multi-threading, high bit depth support, GPU processing, and linear colour space workflows.
In addition to the new image processing library, GIMP has had a facelift with a new dark theme and initial support for HiDPI displays.
Colour management has moved from a plug-in to a core feature of GIMP making it possible to add colour management to all custom widgets.
Several new tools are included including a Unified Transform to make it easier to rotate, scale and correct perspective from a single UI; a Warp Transform that retires the old iWarp filter, allowing the user to distort images using a brush; a Gradient tool replaces the old Blend tool and adds a much more flexible gradient editor; improved colour and selection tools and more.
New GEGL based filters aimed at photographers are added including some common and useful inclusions like Exposure, Shadows-Highlights. High Pass, Panorama Projection and more. Moreover, 80 GEGL filters ship with Gimp 2.10, many of which started life as effects. Rewriting these for the GEGL library makes it possible to use them with 32-bit images and preview them live on the canvas.
Many other improvements are included in this release. Take a look at the release notes to see the full details.
Is Gimp comparable to photoshop…? (these days)?
Have a look at Affinity Photo. It is right up there…if not better.