GIMP developers outline path to 3.4 with new file format and PSD overhaul
The GIMP project team has released a comprehensive development update detailing significant architectural changes, including a transition from the legacy binary XCF format to a zipped XML structure, alongside expanded non-destructive editing capabilities and improved Adobe Photoshop compatibility.
GIMP developers have published an August 2026 progress report outlining substantial technical advancements aimed at the upcoming GIMP 3.4 release. The update highlights a strategic shift in the software’s core architecture, focusing on modernising file handling, enhancing brush engine capabilities, and improving interoperability with industry-standard formats.
A primary focus of the current development cycle is the introduction of a new project file format based on a zipped XML structure. This initiative seeks to replace the legacy binary XCF format, which has served as GIMP’s primary project file since 1997. The new format is designed to address limitations with large and complex projects, enabling faster saving operations by updating only modified sections of the file rather than rewriting the entire document. This architecture also lays the groundwork for auto-saving features, which were previously difficult to implement with the binary format.
Despite these changes, the GIMP team has confirmed that backwards compatibility remains a priority. The legacy XCF format will continue to be supported for loading files in all future versions, with developers citing the successful rendering of a 1998 logo file in the latest software as evidence of their commitment to historical data integrity. New features will exclusively utilise the new format once it is fully finalised.
Significant improvements have also been made to PSD import support through the implementation of PSD Descriptor import. While previous compatibility relied on the public Adobe specification, which was last updated in 2019, modern PSDs utilise a less documented text format known as Descriptors. This update allows for editable text layers, modern layer styles, and vector shapes to be imported more accurately. Additionally, new metadata export procedures for TIFF and JPEG files ensure that paths and layers are retained when exporting images created or modified within GIMP.
The MyPaint brush engine has been upgraded to support Spectral Blending, a feature that simulates the mixing of physical pigments to produce more natural colour transitions. Brush previews have also been improved to display at full size, resolving blurriness issues on high-resolution displays. Furthermore, non-destructive filters have been expanded to include layer masks, gradients, and non-raster layers such as text and vector objects, allowing users to adjust effects without permanently altering the underlying image data.
User interface enhancements include the adoption of native file chooser dialogs on non-GNOME platforms such as Windows, macOS, and KDE, aligning the application more closely with standard operating system interfaces. All 78 cursor icons have been converted to SVG format to ensure scalability on high-DPI screens, and various usability fixes have been implemented, including the replacement of Spin Entry widgets with Spin Scale widgets.
In the immediate term, the GIMP team is preparing to release GIMP 3.2.6, a stable update focused on bug fixes and small improvements rather than new features. This release is planned for the coming weeks, providing a more stable foundation for users while the development branch continues to integrate the advanced features described in this update.
