UbuntuHandbook

GIMP image editor released version 2.10.8 a few days ago. Now you can install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Linux Mint 18.x / 19.

GIMP 2.10.8 release highlights:

Adaptative chunk size when rendering projections, improving responsiveness dynamically
Detection of RawTherapee (version 5.5 and above) improved on Windows
XCF compatibility information in the Save dialog more understandable and discoverable
Various performance log tools added and log recording made available in the Dashboard dock
Port all plug-ins to the new iterator API in GEGL.
Improve automatic detection of HEIC/HEIF files.
And many other changes.

How to Install GIMP in Ubuntu via PPA:

For Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and Linux Mint 19, you can upgrade the official GIMP package to 2.10.8 via PPA.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp

Type your password (no asterisks feedback) for sudo prompt and hit Enter to continue.

2. After adding the PPA via step 1, launch Software Updater (Update Mananger) to update GIMP package:

or simply run command to install the latest GIMP from the PPA:

sudo apt install gimp

3. (Optional) To remove the PPA repository, either go to Software & Updates -> Other Software, or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp

How to Install GIMP in Ubuntu via Snap:

Due to dependency issue, the PPA does no longer support Ubuntu 16.04, Linux Mint 18.x. As an alternative, you can install GIMP Snap package, containerized software package with all dependencies bundled.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install snapd daemon:

sudo apt install snapd snapd-xdg-open

2. Then install GIMP snap package via command:

sudo snap install gimp

Note you may have two GIMP icons in app launcher, as the snap co-exist with the legacy GIMP package. You can either remove old GIMP package, or run the snap via command snap run gimp.

3. To remove the snap package, run command:

sudo snap remove gimp

In addition, GIMP also available as flatpak package that GIMP download page refers to all Unix-like systems.

GIMP, the popular free and open-source cross-platform image editor, now is available as Snap app for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and higher.

GIMP has been made into the beta channel of Ubuntu Snappy Store for testing for days. Now the latest GIMP 2.8.22 is available in stable channel:

1. For Ubuntu 14.04 and Ubuntu 16.04 users that have not installed any Snap app, install snapd daemon first via command (open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo apt-get install snapd

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) and hit Enter.

2. Then install GIMP snap app either via command:

sudo snap install gimp

Or by using Ubuntu Software Center (need login):

The snap app can co-exist with the traditional GIMP package. So if you have both versions installed, you have to launch GIMP Snap app via following command since the app launcher opens the traditional one: