Filed under: Design, Photo, Open Source
At long last, GIMP v2.8 to finally implement single-window interface
The GIMP is one of those applications that people either seem to love or hate. While it's always been a powerful and capable alternative to big commercial apps like Photoshop, GIMP's multiple floating window interface has been hard for some users to adapt to.
Good news to those of you who love the program but just couldn't adapt to the UI: version 2.8 will feature a selectable single window mode. As you can see in the mock-up above, it's a much more Photoshop-like experience. Hardcore GIMP fans, don't despair. If you've been convinced that multi-window mode is a superior way to work, you won't have to change.
GIMP developers have also been looking at ways of better handling multiple images in the editor. Tabs, of course, were added in Photoshop CS4. Don't expect to see them in GIMP 2.8, however. Peter Sikking offers three reasons in his blogs post that they have decided not to use tabs, instead opting for a movable thumbnail tray (image after the break).
Good news to those of you who love the program but just couldn't adapt to the UI: version 2.8 will feature a selectable single window mode. As you can see in the mock-up above, it's a much more Photoshop-like experience. Hardcore GIMP fans, don't despair. If you've been convinced that multi-window mode is a superior way to work, you won't have to change.
GIMP developers have also been looking at ways of better handling multiple images in the editor. Tabs, of course, were added in Photoshop CS4. Don't expect to see them in GIMP 2.8, however. Peter Sikking offers three reasons in his blogs post that they have decided not to use tabs, instead opting for a movable thumbnail tray (image after the break).
UI customization has always been central to the GIMP. In keeping with that, Sikking anticipates that users will be able to place the strip on the top, bottom, left, or right.
Another idea being considered are "Polaroids" - floating, independent windows that can be used as references while working on an image in the editor. Apart from full images, you'll also be able to select a region and copy it to its own Polaroid - useful for doing detail work.
Another idea being considered are "Polaroids" - floating, independent windows that can be used as references while working on an image in the editor. Apart from full images, you'll also be able to select a region and copy it to its own Polaroid - useful for doing detail work.
What do you think about the new concepts for GIMP 2.8? Do you think the addition of a single window mode will attract new users? Share your take in the comments!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Josh said 10:08AM on 9-20-2009
You're missing the last half of the first paragraph.
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mrm3x1can said 10:32AM on 9-20-2009
"GIMP's multiple floating window interface "
ummmm
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master811 said 11:18AM on 9-20-2009
Now all they have to do is get rid of that stupid name (yes I know what i stands for) and get it into the mainstream, cos it'll never get there otherwise.
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Bob S said 2:32PM on 9-20-2009
It would do so much better if they renamed it to PIMP.
Generic said 11:35AM on 9-20-2009
Finally!
I use MS Windows and really love this bit of news. The older multiple window interface doesn't work nice with the Windows taskbar. You have to click on the image window to get it focused.
I also love the "movable thumbnail tray" which is probably more practical in a visual environment like an image editor than tabs are, and the "Polaroids" feature is a nifty addition.
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Matt said 8:39PM on 9-20-2009
It works quite well as long as you set up the other windows as utility windows. That way only the image windows show up in the taskbar. It works especially well on Windows 7 as you can see the thumbnail a lot clearer.
der_tuxman said 12:05PM on 9-20-2009
A pity that GIMP tries to copy Photoshop. Seriously, it doesn't need that kind of users.
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HZ said 12:14PM on 9-20-2009
"that kind of users" it's the main stream users.
So, sure it does.
I personally HATE the multiple windows interface and I still can't get used to it.
It's the same as with linux as a whole...we need to make linux for everyone, not for just those who are loyal to it.
der_tuxman said 12:18PM on 9-20-2009
GIMP users are not really mainstream users. Mainstream users pirate Photoshop or such bullshit apps.
BTW, ever used Photoshop on Mac OS X? Mac OS applications are always MDI, like floating panels and, especially, a separated menu (just like GIMP). Don't think the Windows' UI standards are "mainstream".
Evenio said 2:04PM on 9-20-2009
While you're right about MDI being the default for Photoshop on OS X, recent versions (is it just CS4 or was CS3 like this too? I forget...) have the option to use a single-window interface as well. Personally, I prefer not to have other, unrelated windows showing directly around what I'm working on, as it can be pretty distracting. Before, I had to stretch the window to the available space (the Zoom Window button didn't respect palettes and such) and be careful not to accidentally move the window where its titlebar would be underneath the top toolbar. It didn't happen often, but was annoying when it did.
I guess one of these days I'll have to check out GIMP to see if it's usable yet. That always seems to be a legit question when it comes to Linux apps, sadly.
der_tuxman said 2:06PM on 9-20-2009
A clear con with SDI interfaces are that you can't use the full screen for editing a picture anymore.
HZ said 2:42PM on 9-20-2009
@der_tuxman
Actually, windows users ARE the mainstream users and you have to accept it. Professionals will use whatever they like it more, be that a single-window or multiple-window interface in OSX.
"GIMP users are not really mainstream users. Mainstream users pirate Photoshop or such bullshit apps."
And THAT's why GIMP should try to get the attention of the MAINSTREAM USERS, to promote legal and open source software and make itself better to compete with propietary software. (just like Blender does, to name one)
It's the same approach the linux community is taking RIGHT. Which is getting to the Mainstream Users and NOT the usual nerdy, technology enthusiast, IT people, power users (only)....
On another side "PS or such bullshit apps" ???? GIMP is no way even near photoshop's toes. Be objetive, not a "tux-fanboy". GIMP needs to get to the mainstream users and needs to get better, like it or not it's the reality, and playing as a smart-a55-nerdy saying "you are not good enough to use gimp" it's just NOT right.
"A clear con with SDI interfaces are that you can't use the full screen for editing a picture anymore."
And you will obviously need the layers and tools windows anyway to edit the image...so you still need at least those 3 windows (canvas, tools, layers) on-top 24/7, single-window interface rocks at that.
You may not like the new "single-window interface", but i'm pretty sure 90% of the gimp users are going to be very happy with this.
der_tuxman said 2:59PM on 9-20-2009
Photoshop is bloated and slow, too much stuff a home user never needs. Concerning "mainstream", Windows users are NOT mainstream in graphical editing. Mac users are! (Photoshop is, mainly, a Mac app...)
So who's the fanboy now?
90% of the GIMP users? Where do you have this number from?
In GIMP, I select a tool, switch to the image (full screen!) and apply this tool. Usually I need one tool for more than 1 step. I can't see the advantage here. Editing images is not writing a letter.
HZ said 7:01PM on 9-20-2009
So, basically you are saying you don't want GIMP to be as good as Photoshop...just an advanced cross-platform Paint.
Haha.
pd. I'm not the one with "tux" nor "iSomething" in my nickname, and deff i'm not a windows fanboy, i'm an objetive person. You can even find in this very site a discussion with Lee Mathews with me defending "to death" linux.
If Blender had the vision you have about "what a home user needs", then it would be an opensource Xara 3D and nothing else..
Think outside the box :)
HZ said 10:58PM on 9-20-2009
Oh, something I totally forgot to mention but it's worth the late post, photoshop DOES have a fullscreen mode =)
(at least CS4 has it, don't know the rest of them)
der_tuxman said 1:41AM on 9-21-2009
So you think floating windows are a reason for the average user not to use The GIMP? But basically Photoshop has also floating windows on Windows, it just puts a large window around them.
(My GIMP has exactly two windows, one with the image and one with the tools stuff...)
I am (mainly) a Windows user BTW. Of course I also have Debian. Just to clarify that.
sRc said 1:25PM on 9-20-2009
having everything in a single window finally will be nice. I don't mind the multiple windows usually, but occasionally I run into the layers box never wanting to move to the top from behind other windows and then it gets really annoying
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whiskey said 2:52AM on 9-22-2009
Well, I for one am really grateful that this is an option. In multiple screens environments the usual Gimp works nicely, you just set it up as full screen on your bigger one and use a touchpad for the other tools.
The annoyance you find sRc is easily fixed by setting those to show as utility windows as someone else said. I dunno if you can get sticky "always on top" windows in err... Windows but yeah that perhaps should do the trick.
I like the polaroids too. That would make easier to have references or even maybe smaller ports that show 100% of what you are working at 500%.
whiskey said 2:53AM on 9-22-2009
Of course I wanted to say touchscreen but I typoed it sorry.
mario.91 said 3:35PM on 9-20-2009
Finally!!!!!
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