Introduction
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is one of the most powerful and completely free image editing tools available for Linux users. Since its appearance in the mid-1990s, it has evolved into a solid alternative to proprietary editors, offering photo retouching, graphic design, and digital art creation capabilities without the need for costly licenses.
Installation on Linux Distributions
- On Ubuntu and derivatives: sudo apt update && sudo apt install gimp
- On Fedora: sudo dnf install gimp
- On Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S gimp
- On openSUSE: sudo zypper install gimp
These commands obtain the stable version from the official repositories. For those who want the latest version, there are Flatpak or Snap packages that are updated more frequently:
- Flatpak: flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
- Snap: sudo snap install gimp
Basic Interface and Customization
When launching GIMP, a main window appears with the work area, the tool panel on the left, and the dialogs for layers, channels, and paths on the right. The interface is fully configurable: panels can be dragged and dropped, custom layouts saved, and the theme switched between light, dark, or high‑contrast systems.
Essential Tools for Photo Retouching
- Selection tool (rectangular, elliptical, free, and color‑based) to isolate areas of the image.
- Move and alignment tool to position layers precisely.
- Clone and heal tool, ideal for removing imperfections or duplicating textures.
- Blur and sharpen tool, useful for softening backgrounds or enhancing details.
- Text tool, which allows adding typography with control of leading and kerning.
In addition, the perspective tool allows correcting architectural distortions and aligning horizons with great precision, proving useful for interior and landscape photography.
Working with Layers and Masks
GIMP’s layer system allows stacking elements without altering the original information. Each layer can have its own blend mode (multiply, screen, overlay, etc.) and opacity. Layer masks, in grayscale, provide a non‑destructive way to hide or show parts of a layer, facilitating complex compositions