A new version of GIMP - the free graphics suite par excellence - has been released. GIMP ver 2.7.4 , which is termed as an unstable release leading to a stable version 2.8 sometime in January next year, brings a lot of new features.
GIMP 2.7.4 supports the most sought after feature namely single-window mode. You can now use GIMP just like you use Adobe Photoshop - with all the dialogs enclosed in a bigger dialog - OR - if you like the old way of doing things, there is an option to switch to the multi-window mode as well.
Another really nice feature is "Layer groups". GIMP 2.7.4 supports layer groups. You can group layers like a tree structure and even move the group of layers above or below others.
On canvas text editing is another feature you are going to love in GIMP 2.7.4. In the latest stable version of GIMP 2.6.11, when you use the text tool on the canvas, you have to enter the text in a separate dialog box. Not any more. Now you can directly type text in the canvas with the text tool.
Save and Export functions have been de-linked. Now if you save your work, it will be saved only in the GIMP native format (XCF). If you want to save your images in any other format such as Jpeg, Png, or Gif, then you have to "Export" your images.
Apart from the ones listed above, GIMP 2.7.4 brings with it lots of minor changes.
For the complete details about the development release, including a full list of changes, read the GIMP developer mailing announcement and GIMP 2.7 release notes. You can download GIMP 2.7.4 from the mirrors listed here.
Another really nice feature is "Layer groups". GIMP 2.7.4 supports layer groups. You can group layers like a tree structure and even move the group of layers above or below others.
On canvas text editing is another feature you are going to love in GIMP 2.7.4. In the latest stable version of GIMP 2.6.11, when you use the text tool on the canvas, you have to enter the text in a separate dialog box. Not any more. Now you can directly type text in the canvas with the text tool.
Save and Export functions have been de-linked. Now if you save your work, it will be saved only in the GIMP native format (XCF). If you want to save your images in any other format such as Jpeg, Png, or Gif, then you have to "Export" your images.
Apart from the ones listed above, GIMP 2.7.4 brings with it lots of minor changes.
For the complete details about the development release, including a full list of changes, read the GIMP developer mailing announcement and GIMP 2.7 release notes. You can download GIMP 2.7.4 from the mirrors listed here.
