How to Install GIMP on Linux [ 3 Best Methods ]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 13, 2024

Expert verified

Setting up new software can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to start. If you’re looking to install GIMP, a powerful and free image editing tool, on your Linux system, you’re in the right place. This post will guide you through step-by-step methods to GIMP install Linux and help you troubleshoot any errors that might come up. By the end of this article, you’ll have GIMP up and running smoothly, ready to enhance your photos and create stunning graphics. Let’s dive in and get started!

What is GIMP?

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a free and open-source image editing software. You can use GIMP to create and edit images, much like Adobe Photoshop. It’s popular among graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators for its versatility and powerful features.

Features and Capabilities

• Photo Retouching: GIMP allows you to enhance and restore photos. You can fix color balance, remove blemishes, and adjust lighting to improve your images.
• Image Composition: You can combine multiple images into one. This is useful for creating collages, blending images, or adding backgrounds.
• Graphic Design Elements: GIMP provides tools to create logos, icons, and other design elements. You can use brushes, pencils, and airbrushes to draw and design from scratch.
• Customizable Interface: You can modify GIMP’s interface to suit your workflow. Arrange tools and panels in a way that’s most convenient for you.
• Support for Various File Formats: GIMP supports a wide range of file formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and PSD. You can open and save files in these formats easily.
• Extensible with Plugins: You can enhance GIMP’s functionality with plugins. There are many available plugins for various effects and tools, which you can install to expand what GIMP can do.
• Advanced Image Editing Tools: GIMP offers advanced tools like layers, masks, and paths. These tools help you create complex edits and designs with precision.
• Scriptable with Languages: You can automate tasks in GIMP using scripting languages like Python. This is useful for repetitive tasks or creating custom functions.
• Free and Open-Source: GIMP is completely free to use. As an open-source program, anyone can contribute to its development or modify the source code.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: GIMP works on various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS. This makes it accessible to a wide range of users.

How to Install GIMP on Linux

Here are the detailed steps for three different methods to Gimp Linux install:

1. Installing GIMP via Package Manager

Using a package manager to install GIMP on Linux is one of the most straightforward and recommended methods, especially for beginners. Package managers handle dependencies and ensure that the software is properly integrated into your system. This method is efficient and quick, leveraging your Linux distribution’s repositories.

1. Before installing any new software, it’s good practice to update your package list to ensure you have the latest information.

sudo apt update

2. Use the APT package manager to Linux GIMP install.

sudo apt install gimp

3. Once the installation is complete, you can verify it by launching GIMP from the terminal or application menu.

gimp

Ensure that GIMP opens without any errors.

2. Installing GIMP via Snap

Snap is a universal package manager that works across various Linux distributions. Installing GIMP via Snap ensures you get the latest version of GIMP along with all its dependencies, neatly packaged. This method is ideal if you want to avoid dependency issues and prefer a containerized approach. Follow these steps to install GIMP Ubuntu:

1. Open your Terminal and use the Snap package manager to install GIMP Linux.

sudo snap install gimp

2. Launch GIMP using the Snap package manager to ensure it’s installed correctly.

snap run gimp

Check if GIMP opens without errors and performs as expected.

3. GIMP launched successfully without any error:

3. GUI Method

The GUI method allows you to install Linux GIMP easily through the Ubuntu Software application, providing a user-friendly, graphical interface for the installation process without needing to use terminal commands. Follow these steps to Linux install Gimp:

1. Go to the Application Menu.

2. Type Ubuntu Software in the search bar and click on the Ubuntu Software icon that appears.

3. In the Ubuntu Software application, locate the search bar at the top-right corner. Type GIMP into the search bar and press Enter.
4. From the search results, you should see GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) listed. Click on the GIMP entry to open the software details page.

5. On the GIMP software details page, click the Install button.

6. You may be prompted to enter your administrative password to authorize the installation process.
7. Provide your password and click Authenticate to proceed.

8. Ubuntu Software will download the necessary packages and install GIMP on your system.
9. The progress bar will indicate the installation status.

10. You can search for GIMP in the applications menu and click on the GIMP icon to launch the application.

How to Configure GIMP on Linux

Configuring GIMP allows you to customize the software’s settings and preferences to suit your workflow and editing needs. Take the time to explore the preferences and adjust them according to your workflow and personal preferences. Here’s a step-by-step guide on configuring GIMP:

1. Open GIMP on your computer.

2. Click on the Edit menu in the GIMP window and select Preferences. Alternatively, you can press the shortcut key combination Ctrl + P.

3. In the Preferences dialog box, you’ll find various categories on the left-hand side. Start with the System Resources category.

4. Under the System Resources category, you can configure the user interface settings. Adjust options like the default theme, icon size, and user interface language to your preference.

5. Click on the Toolbox category in the Preferences dialog. Here, you can customize the appearance and behavior of the toolbox. You can choose which tools to display, modify their order, and enable or disable various options.

6. Navigate to the Image Windows category. Here, you can set options such as handling newly opened images, zoom behavior, and display settings for rulers and grids.

7. After making changes in each category, click the OK button to save your configuration settings.

4 Common Errors and How to Fix Them

It is common to encounter errors when installing and using GMP. By understanding and troubleshooting these common errors, you can ensure a smoother GIMP experience and make the most out of this powerful image editing software. Here are four common errors you may encounter:

1. 🔧 GIMP Fails to Start error

If GIMP fails to start or crashes during launch, it may be due to conflicting plugins or corrupt configuration files.

To fix this, try resetting GIMP’s configuration by deleting the .gimp directory in your home folder. Alternatively, you can launch GIMP safely by running gimp --safe-mode in the Terminal, which disables plugins and allows you to troubleshoot further.

2. 🚫 Missing Dependency Error

When installing GIMP, you might encounter a “missing dependency” error indicating that certain required packages are not installed.

Use your distribution package manager to install the missing dependencies to resolve this. For instance, you can run sudo apt-get install -f on Ubuntu to automatically fix and install the missing packages.

3. ❗ Unable to Open or Save Files

If you experience issues opening or saving files in GIMP, it could be due to file format compatibility or permissions.

Ensure you have appropriate read and write permissions for the directory where you are trying to save the files. Additionally, check if you have the necessary plugins or libraries installed to support the file formats you are working with.

4. 💡 Brush or Tool Malfunction

If brushes or tools are not working as expected in GIMP, it could be due to various reasons, such as incorrect settings or conflicts.

Make sure the correct brush or tool is selected and verify the tool’s settings in the respective dialog. Additionally, try resetting the tool options by clicking the Reset to Default button in the tool options dialog.

Install GIMP Linux: In a Nutshell

In this article, I’ve walked you through the step-by-step methods to install GIMP on Linux. Whether you prefer using a package manager, Snap, or another method, these instructions will help you get GIMP up and running smoothly. I’ve also covered how to troubleshoot common installation errors to ensure a hassle-free experience.

If you found this guide helpful, you might also enjoy learning:

• How to install GNOME on Ubuntu, which can give you more control over your desktop environment and improve your overall user experience.
• Additionally, exploring how to use the apt command to search for packages in Ubuntu will streamline your command-line skills, making software management much easier.
• For those facing installation issues, I recommend learning how to fix the “You Have Held Broken Packages” error on Linux to handle such problems more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions