- Sources: GIMP development update, 2026-08-16, HN discussion
- Summary: The 2026-08-16 development update covers work landing in GIMP 3.3.2, the first development release toward 3.4. There is no 3.3.2 release yet, and a stable 3.2.6 is planned first. The largest item is a new zipped XML project format to succeed XCF, which has been the primary format since 1997 and does not handle very large projects or the planned multi-page and animation features, and the new format allows partial rather than whole-file saves, which makes auto-save feasible. XCF loading stays supported in all future versions, but new features will only be saved in the new format once it is finalized. PSD import gained Descriptor parsing, so text layers are now editable and several adjustment layers and layer styles map to GEGL equivalents, and other changes include non-destructive filters on layer masks, an editable Gradient filter in the filter stack, and native platform file chooser dialogs replacing the GTK one.
- Why it matters: Projects using new GIMP features will only save in the new format, so interchange with older GIMP versions and other tools depends on how that format lands.
- Follow-up: Track the 3.3.2 release and whether the new project format is finalized in the 3.4 cycle.
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