If you're switching from Photoshop to GIMP and want to feel at home right away, PhotoGIMP is for you.

Features

  • Photoshop-like tool layout - Tools are reorganized to mimic the positions you're used to in Adobe Photoshop.
  • Custom Splash Screen - A unique PhotoGIMP splash screen greets you on startup.
  • Maximized canvas space - Default settings are optimized to give you the largest possible working area.
  • Photoshop keyboard shortcuts - Keyboard shortcuts follow Adobe's official documentation for the Windows version.
  • Custom icon & name - A dedicated .desktop file gives PhotoGIMP its own icon and app name in your system menu.

Before installing PhotoGIMP, make sure you have:

  • GIMP 3.0 or newer
  • Run GIMP at least once. GIMP needs to generate its config files before PhotoGIMP can overwrite them. Install GIMP → open it → close it → then install PhotoGIMP.

Install on Windows:

  • Make sure you have GIMP installed.
  • Open GIMP once, then close it – this creates the config folders that PhotoGIMP needs.
  • Download the latest PhotoGIMP for Windows (.zip)
  • Extract the contents of PhotoGIMP.zip to any folder (e.g., your Desktop).
  • Open the extracted folder and copy the 3.0 folder.
  • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  • Type %APPDATA%\GIMP and press Enter – this opens GIMP's settings folder.
  • Paste the 3.0 folder here.
  • When prompted about existing files, select "Replace the files in the destination".
  • Open GIMP – you should see the new PhotoGIMP layout!

Install on macOS:

  • Make sure you have GIMP installed.
  • Open GIMP once, then close it – this creates the config folders that PhotoGIMP needs.
  • Download the latest PhotoGIMP for macOS (.zip)
  • Extract the contents of PhotoGIMP.zip to any folder (e.g., your Desktop).
  • Open the extracted folder and copy the 3.0 folder.
  • Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G to open "Go to Folder".
  • Type ~/Library/Application Support/GIMP and press Enter.
  • If you see a 2.10 folder from a previous installation, delete it to avoid conflicts.
  • Paste the 3.0 folder inside the GIMP folder.
  • When prompted about existing files, select "Replace" or "Merge".
  • Open GIMP – you should see the new PhotoGIMP layout!

What's New

  • Improved Photoshop-style keyboard shortcuts and tool organization.
  • Added bracket-key shortcuts for changing brush size during editing.
  • Added alpha channels automatically to imported images.
  • Improved Flatpak launcher portability across distributions and architectures.
  • Added improved macOS installation instructions, including an rsync alternative.
  • Removed obsolete and redundant GIMP configuration files.
  • Updated screenshots, icons and visual assets.
  • Added or updated README translations in Spanish, Hebrew, Korean, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Polish and Portuguese.
  • Expanded installation, troubleshooting and contribution documentation.

Compatibility

  • Designed for GIMP 3.0 and newer.
  • Supports native package and Flatpak installations through the documented configuration paths.
  • Back up your current GIMP configuration before installing.