GIMP 3.4 Brings New Project Format and Stronger PSD Support After 29 Years of XCF
Updated
Updated · linuxiac.com · Aug 16
GIMP 3.4 Brings New Project Format and Stronger PSD Support After 29 Years of XCF
3 articles · Updated · linuxiac.com · Aug 16
Summary
GIMP developers outlined a broad 3.4 upgrade centered on a new project format, wider non-destructive editing, better Photoshop PSD import, native file choosers, and UI and performance fixes.
A zipped XML-based format is set to succeed XCF, whose 1997-era binary design now limits larger projects; it should save faster by updating only changed parts and lays groundwork for autosave.
XCF will remain readable for backward compatibility, but future features will target the new format, including foundations for multi-page documents and animation planned for GIMP 3.6.
PSD handling improves through imported PSD Descriptors, letting some text layers stay editable, translating more adjustment layers and styles into GEGL effects, and bringing solid-color shapes in as vector layers.
Many changes are expected to land first in GIMP 3.3.2, still unreleased as roadmap work continues, while GIMP 3.2.6 is due in the coming weeks as the next stable maintenance update.