I was working on my Ubuntu 24.04 desktop as usual today, editing some photos for my website. Just another day, or so I thought. When I clicked on my familiar GIMP icon, I was greeted with something unexpected - a brand new splash screen and logo! GIMP had been upgraded to version 3.0, and I was completely caught off guard by this major update. After spending a few hours exploring the new features, I had to share my excitement about this significant evolution of my favorite image editor.
The New Look and Feel
The first thing that jumped out at me was the refreshed interface. GIMP 3.0 has been completely rewritten with GTK3, replacing the older GTK2 library used in previous versions. This isn't just a technical change - it's immediately noticeable in how much cleaner and more modern everything looks, especially on my HiDPI display where the scaling is now much better.
The new Wilber logo greeted me on startup, and I was welcomed by a brand new splash screen. The UI feels more refined and responsive, with better support for my drawing tablet right out of the box. As someone who occasionally uses a pen tablet for detailed work, this improvement alone made me smile.
Welcome Window and Customization Options
Upon first launch, I was greeted with a welcome window that offered quick access to create new documents, open recent files, and even read through the release notes. The interface customization is more intuitive than ever - I discovered that I could now use CSS for theming, which opens up exciting possibilities for personalizing my workspace.
Game-Changing Features I Discovered
Non-Destructive Editing - Finally!
The biggest "wow" moment came when I applied a filter to one of my images and realized I could go back and edit it later! In previous versions, once you applied a filter, it was permanently merged with the layer. Now, filters stay active and can be re-edited without undoing your work. This is a massive workflow improvement that puts GIMP more in line with professional software I've used before.
I quickly tested this by applying a blur filter to a portrait, then coming back later to adjust the blur radius - all without losing any of my subsequent edits. There's even an optional "Merge Filters" checkbox if you prefer the old workflow.
Multi-Layer Selection and Management
Another feature that immediately improved my workflow was the ability to select multiple layers at once. I could finally move, transform, or adjust several layers together without tediously linking them first. The new "layer sets" concept (replacing the older linked layers) gives me much more control over organizing my projects.
Text Tool Improvements
The text tool has received a major upgrade. I can now style text with outlines, shadows, and bevels while still maintaining editability. This means I can change the font, size, or content of text even after applying effects - a huge time-saver compared to the old way of working with text in GIMP.
Auto-Expanding Layers
One small but incredibly useful feature I stumbled upon is the auto-expanding layer boundaries option. Now when I paint or draw near the edge of a layer, the canvas automatically expands instead of cutting off my brush strokes. No more guessing how big to make my initial canvas!
CMYK Support and Color Management
As someone who occasionally prepares images for print, I was thrilled to discover that GIMP 3.0 has improved color management with early-binding CMYK support. This has long been a missing feature that kept some professionals tied to other software.
Getting GIMP 3.0 on Ubuntu 24.04 or Other Systems
After playing with all these new features, I wanted to make sure I had the most up-to-date version. GIMP 3.0 was just released on March 16, 2025, after seven years of development. While the default apt repositories on Ubuntu 24.04 typically provide version 2.10.36, I received GIMP 3.0 by automatic updates, so it means Ubuntu has added GIMP 3.0 to its repositories. You have other options for installing it if you don't find it in your distribution's repository:
- Flatpak from Flathub seems to be the recommended method
- AppImage from the official GIMP website
- Snap store (though currently this may still offer 2.10.38 or the development 2.99.18 versions)
As I said, on my Ubuntu 24.04 desktop it was installed by automatic update..
My Thoughts After a Day with GIMP 3.0
After spending several hours with GIMP 3.0, I'm genuinely impressed with how much the software has evolved. The non-destructive editing alone has changed how I approach my workflow. Everything feels more polished, more intuitive, and simply more capable.
For a free, open-source application developed by volunteers, the quality is remarkable. It's clear that the seven years of development since GIMP 2.10 was first released in 2018
were well spent. The interface improvements, combined with powerful new features like layer sets, multi-layer selection, and enhanced text capabilities, make GIMP 3.0 feel like a significant leap forward.
If you're running Ubuntu 24.04 "Noble Numbat" like me, I highly recommend upgrading to GIMP 3.0 immediately. The improvements are well worth it, and it's exciting to see this level of polish in open-source creative software. This unexpected upgrade has certainly made my day more productive - and much more fun!
Have you upgraded to GIMP 3.0 yet? What new features are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below!