GIMP 3.0 RC2 released with bug fixes, new public filter API, initial AppImage, and more

GIMP has released the second release candidate for version 3.0 of its image editing software, focusing primarily on bug fixes and enhancements. Key updates include resolving 2.10 settings migration issues, addressing missing GUI font problems on macOS, and improving darktable integration. While the primary aim was to refine existing features, some new functionalities have also been introduced.

A significant change from RC1 involved the removal of older API wrappers for GEGL operations, which initially posed challenges for third-party plug-in and script developers. In response to community feedback, GIMP has incorporated the new public filter API in RC2, rather than waiting until after the 3.0 release.

The update also tackles issues with images using color profiles with non-perceptual TRCs, ensuring proper rendering by defaulting to a perceptual space for certain layer modes. On the Linux front, the experimental AppImage is now compatible with most distributions, and the nightly Flatpak has a dedicated app ID, allowing it to coexist with the stable version.

Additional updates include improvements to the BMP plug-in and various other enhancements and bug fixes, further refining the software ahead of its full 3.0 release.