We announce a new packaging format for Linux being deployed directly from our CI (Continuous Integration) system: .snap. This is a result of Bruno‘s effort on expanding GIMP availability through multiple de facto standard and distro-agnostic packaging formats.

Overcoming technical peculiarities¶

Snap packages are created using “snapcraft”, a tool that largely relies on a container technology developed by Canonical called “lxd”. However, all Linux runners on GNOME GitLab instance already run Docker for containerization. So, we needed to adjust our scripts to make use of, --destructive-mode option so we can use snapcraft-rocks Docker image to build GIMP then create the snap package reliably and fast on our CI.

These scripts are available under our Git repository and work locally as well, so anyone can build GIMP snap package.

Collaboration with Snapcrafters¶

Before the package being now available directly and officially, it used to be maintained unofficially by the downstream project called “Snapcrafters”.

As announced in GIMP 3.1.4 news, they kindly agreed to transfer the ownership of the snap package. This delicate process took fruitful months and we are very grateful for their help and for dedication on all these years, specially Jon Seager who handled most of the administrative stuff.

gimp-plugins plug interface for developers¶

The snap used to have some third-party plugins bundled on it. And, as outlined in our current packaging principles, official GIMP packages are “vanilla” (without additional code which is not from babl, gegl or GIMP source). Instead, we asked and Will French developed a plug interface called gimp-plugins. It works similary to our existing “org.gimp.GIMP.Plugin” Flatpak extension point and to MSIX modification packages, allowing to install plugins without breaking the Snap strict confinement.

So, the two existing plugins can be installed following the steps provided in their respective repositories:

• GMIC snap
• OpenVINO snap

We have written a how-to about Snap plugins on GIMP developer website. We hope that this will encourage more developers to package their plugins properly for Snap.

Download the Snap¶

GIMP 3.0.6 was co-produced by us and Snapcrafters and it is the first version available as an official snap package on the latest/stable channel. Future versions will be deployed automatically on the release day. You can install it today on the download page: https://gimp.org/downloads.

Like the Flatpak, and MSIX (MS Store), we also provide a development counterpart, for the users who want to test the latest features and help us making GIMP better. It is available on preview/stable channel.

NOTE: Due to a bug on App Center, you may need to use manual commands to install the preview snap.

Don’t forget you can donate and personally fund GIMP developers, as a way to give back and accelerate the development of GIMP code and packages.