Gimp Installation

The Gimp (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a program for Linux, Mac and Windows users that allows them to create and edit images. Much like Adobe Photoshop, Gimp contains many of the standard image editing tools that allow users to create professional images. Cropping and resizing, blurring, sharpening, smudging, and retouching are only a few of the main features that Gimp 2.2.9 provides.

Linux

Gimp is installed by default on most Linux distributions so you will probably not have to do anything. Each Linux distribution has graphical tools to manage the addition and removal of programs. Programs are built in packages that provide the necessary files,documentation, etc. for each program. These packages are built in 3 basic forms; RPMs, .debs and .tgz. The graphical tools work with RPMs and .debs, all three formats may be installed from a terminal. In order to install programs in Linux you must be root. Open the Linux Software Package Manager as root and select Gimp from the menu of optional packages.

The default screen will show you the installed packages. The packages are listed by groups and when you click on the group it lists the individual packages in that group. When you see a package that you want check that package. When you select a package more information about the package will be listed in the window at the right of your selection. This way you will know what you are installing. In addition, when you choose to install Linux will automatically tell you any dependencies that must be met for the program you have selected to work correctly. Dependencies are important additional programs that you will need to install. The program will do this for you.

Once packages have been chosen select Update to make the changes effective. Notice the total install size indicator at the bottom of the window.

Mac
Gimp will only work with Mac OS X, it will not work with version 9 or older Macintosh systems. The Gimp.app provides an application package that can be used for OS X. Gimp-2.2.8.dmg is used for OS 10.4 Tiger x86 and ppc, while the Gimp-2.2.6.dmg is used for the OS 10.3 Panther.

Windows: InstallGTK

From the 2.2 version of Gimp it will not work with older Windows systems like Windows 95. At least 128 MB of RAM is required and is actually a minimum. If you will be installing Gimp on Windows 98 be sure to use the GTK+2.4.14 version so it is compatible.

In order to install Gimp you will first need to install a runtime environment called GTK. For Windows 200/XP use the new GTK+2. Download or copy from a CD the necessary programs onto your Desktop like in the picture. Double click the GTK icon, as it must be installed first.

Note that you should close all other applications and then proceed. These easy steps for installation will be done in a few minutes.

GTK uses the GNU Library General Public License which provides for users to freely use and distribute the program without paying for license fees. This is called Open Source software and is freely available to anyone who would like to use it.

Probably you should allow the default installation to be done in the Program Files directory on the C: drive. You may want to browse and change the default. Also, as you view this page you realize that the installation of the GTK will require 10.1 MB of free space on your hard drive.

The GTK-Gimp is a Windows theme that you can add to the installation. Unless you will need additional translations in additional to English, you can save disk space by not installing the other translations. The Base install is 10.1 MB which is required but you can install without the GTK-Wimp and the additional translations saving you 8.3 MB of space.

The GTK-Gimp is a Windows theme that you can add to the installation. Unless you will need additional translations in additional to English, you can save disk space by not installing the other translations. The Base install is 10.1 MB which is required but you can install without the GTK-Wimp and the additional translations saving you 8.3 MB of space.

As the program installs you will see a progress report.

When it is complete you will see the window below to verify a complete installation.

Windows: Install GIMP
The next step is to install Gimp. If you are installing on Windows 2000/XP use the newest version of GTK and Gimp. The new version of Gimp is 2.2.9.

If you see this window, you will need to upgrade your GTK version because you are installing on a Windows 200/XP machine. Just get the newer version and it will install fine.

Once you have the correct GTK version installed then install Gimp, which is an easy process. Just choose the Next button.

Once Gimp is installed whether it is Linux, Mac or Windows you will need to run the Gimp Setup Wizard before you begin.

Unless you have an important reason for changing the default location for installation, just choose Next.

Once again, if you are not going to use additional languages besides the default English you do not need to install the Translations.

Setting up file association is a very important step. When you associate file types with Gimp those file types will always open with Gimp. For example, if you associate JPEG image with Gimp by checking the box next to JPEG image, each time you click on a JPEG, Gimp will open so you can edit that image. The only issue that may arise is if you have another image editing program that you usually use to edit JPEG images, once this is set for Gimp it will not open by default for another program. Regardless of how it is set you can open any image with an editor if yo open the editor, like Gimp, first and then choose File Open and locate your image. It just saves you a few steps if image types are associated with your favorite editor.

This option sets up a Gimp link in your startup menu for easy access to the program.

Here you are able to automatically place a shortcut on the desktop for easy access if you want. The Quick Launch icon is placed in the Windows Quick Launch at the bottom of the Desktop.

Here is the Gimp summary screen, if you need to make changes just choose Back.

This is the completed install. Now Gimp will open and you may set some additional values that you may need to adjust.