8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

Video 8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

Plugin helps make GIMP more awesome. They add new features, improve workflows, and make GIMP the best free alternative to Photoshop.

However, the GIMP support plugin is complex. The overall GIMP plugin experience is not user-friendly. They are hard to come by, have trouble installing and are having a lot of compatibility issues.

Any discomfort and annoyance will be "beaten" when you finish reading this article. Here are the best GIMP plugins and how to install them.

Where to find the GIMP plugin?

Plugins were once gathered at the GIMP Registry but are no longer the case. That is, they are currently scattered throughout the vast Internet world.

Some of them are "antique goods". Many cases over the past decade or more have not been updated. There is no guarantee that the plugin will work properly on the latest version of GIMP. Indeed, popular names like the GIMP DDS plugin or BIMP plugin have now been dropped or are no longer working.

How to install the GIMP plugin

You have two ways to install the GIMP plugin:

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

Method 1 is the usual manual installation method. If the plugin is in a ZIP file, you need to copy the content into the GIMP plugins and the script directory.

  1. Extract the downloaded file.
  2. In GIMP, go to Preferences> Folders . Choose where to place Plug-ins and Scripts .
  3. There are two directories in each section. One is the system directory and the other is the user directory. Select the second one and click Show file location in the file manager to open it.
  4. If the downloaded files are in PY format , move them to the Plug-ins folder .
  5. If their format is SCM , navigate to the Scripts folder .
  6. Restart GIMP .

The second way is the automatic method. Some plugins have their own installer. You just need to double click on it and install as usual.

The available installers depend on the operating system platform. Also, you should know that opening random installers on the Internet is a risky job. Therefore, make sure to keep your antivirus software up to date and running them properly.

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

We also have another option to install a customized version of the entire GIMP application, which is a popular tool at partha.com containing a few pre-installed plugins, including Resynthesizer and G'MIC.

The best GIMP plugin

1. DarkTable

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

GIMP 2.10 is one of the best free photo editing applications available today. You can even use it with RAW images, but you need to add the RAW editor first. There are two main options here: DarkTable & RawTherapee.

Both are worth a try. However, DarkTable is often preferred because the interface is easy to access, familiar to and contains some advanced features such as Mask tools. Once installed, you can drag RAW images into GIMP and it opens DarkTable. Here, you can start editing. You will get the same effect as the famous graphic design software like Photoshop, Adobe Camera Raw.

2. G'MIC

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

G'MIC provides more than 500 filters and lighting effects for your photos. It includes basic features like video film simulation, diverse frames. More advanced features include noise reduction, repair tools, even some 3D effects. You can use each tool with its respective default settings with one click. However, if you want, you can use a series of sliders for each filter to customize the work, producing exactly the results you want.

3. Resynthesizer

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

Resynthesizer is the oldest and most essential plugin for GIMP. It provides a range of graphics processing tools. You will find the main part in the Enhance: Heal Selection menu.

This plugin is equivalent to Photoshop's Content Aware Fill tool, a feature that GIMP has never had. It allows you to seamlessly move unwanted objects from a photo.

Heal Selection magically replaces the overflow image background and blends perfectly. Therefore, if you move something from the sky, that space will be filled with the same sky area, in harmony with the surrounding background. Normally only Clone can do that but it takes you more time.

4. Hugin

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

When you need to stitch together a series of photos to create a panoramic image using GIMP, Hugin is the best plugin option. Getting started using it is simple. Just upload photos, choose a few things in common. Afterwards, Hugin will merge them together. It also corrects inappropriate angles & exposures.

5. Wavelet Decompose

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

Skin editing is an integral part of portrait photo editing and Wavelet Decompose is the best plugin to do it on GIMP.

This plugin uses advanced frequency division. It divides the image into layers. Each class contains different sets of details. This feature gives you good control over every detail you want to smooth or maintain.

It sounds complicated, but actually made it much easier. You just need to upload the plugin and use the blur & smooth tool to make the interface shine.

6. Duplicate to Another Image

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

This GIMP plugin really saves you considerable time. The name describes exactly what it can do: duplicate the selection to another image file. In addition, you can copy the selection to a new image the same size as the original. In particular, the image object remains in place and users can easily change the photo background.

You can also copy an area to a new image, crop it to size when you want to isolate each object, and duplicate the object to another.

7. Scripts Bundle

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them

This is a collection of over 100 scripts, providing you with a rich set of shortcuts for editing common images and performing graphic design tasks. You have an outline plugin on GIMP, a few scrips to sharpen photos or add frames. Others serve to create effects or simulate film images.

8. Nik Collection

8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them
Google Nik Collection Google Nik Collection for Mac

Finally, Nik Collection is a professional photo editing plugin. It brings great noise reduction and sharpening tools, color filters, stunning HDR effects and more. It really takes GIMP to the next level.

How to use the GIMP Plugin

Once you have installed the GIMP plugin, you will find it in the selected folder, possibly in the Filter, Image, Layer or submenu menus. Occasionally, plugins run as a standalone application. You can run it whenever you need.

When you find your favorite plugin, make sure to keep a copy of the downloaded file because you don't know when it will disappear. This is the downside when installing plugins for GIMP.

Even so, the GIMP plugin is still very useful in many cases. Hopefully the names above will help you fix photos better on GIMP.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to open ChatGPT with action button on iPhone

How to open ChatGPT with action button on iPhone

Through this action button, you can call ChatGPT whenever you want on your phone. Here is a guide to open ChatGPT using the action button on iPhone.

Funny phone unlock wallpaper, awesome troll unlock wallpaper

Funny phone unlock wallpaper, awesome troll unlock wallpaper

Are you looking for funny phone unlock wallpapers? Check out the wallpapers below and choose a cool phone unlock wallpaper for yourself.

7 Simple Ways to Make Your Samsung Phone Look Less Boring

7 Simple Ways to Make Your Samsung Phone Look Less Boring

Your expensive Samsung Galaxy doesn't have to look exactly like every other phone on the market. With a few tweaks, you can make it more personal, stylish, and unique.

Why do so many people decide to switch to Samsung after years of using iPhone?

Why do so many people decide to switch to Samsung after years of using iPhone?

After getting bored with iOS, they finally switched to Samsung phones, and have no regrets about that decision.

6 disadvantages of buying the Google Pixel flagship phone

6 disadvantages of buying the Google Pixel flagship phone

While Google's mid-range phones are great value, what about its flagship products?

10 Hidden Android Features That Make Everyday Life Easier

10 Hidden Android Features That Make Everyday Life Easier

If you've been using an Android phone for long enough, you probably already know and use many of its features. However, there are likely some hidden features that you don't know about.

How to create poll in iPhone messages

How to create poll in iPhone messages

iPhone users can create polls in messages to ask for opinions from group chat members.

How to Restore the Classic Look of Your iPhone

How to Restore the Classic Look of Your iPhone

Apple has redesigned the Phone app in iOS 26 with a new Unified interface. If you don't like the new look of the Phone app, you can revert back to the old interface, following the instructions below.

10 devices that can be plugged into the smartphone charging port

10 devices that can be plugged into the smartphone charging port

Most of us treat our smartphone's charging port as if its sole job is to keep the battery alive. But that little port is much more powerful than it gives it credit for.

Instructions for adjusting Android phone screen brightness

Instructions for adjusting Android phone screen brightness

Changing the brightness of your Android phone screen is a simple way to help you choose the screen brightness that suits your surroundings, avoiding the phone screen being too bright or too dark, affecting your health, especially your eyes.

How to easily read smartphone specifications

How to easily read smartphone specifications

If you're on the hunt for a new smartphone, the first thing you'll naturally look at is the specs sheet. It's packed with clues about performance, battery life, and display quality.

How to insert emoji into photos on iPhone extremely simple

How to insert emoji into photos on iPhone extremely simple

To be able to insert emoji into photos on iPhone, we will need a few small tricks, according to the instructions below.

Which free VPN is best for iPhone and iPad?

Which free VPN is best for iPhone and iPad?

VPNs have a number of advantages, such as protecting your online identity and allowing you to access content in other countries. You may even experience faster connection speeds.

Why are Pixel phones worth the money?

Why are Pixel phones worth the money?

Years ago, some people decided to buy the first Pixel phone without thinking twice about whether it was worth the price. Time has proven that they are definitely worth every penny.

Are you using the full potential of the buttons on your Android phone?

Are you using the full potential of the buttons on your Android phone?

The buttons on your Android phone aren't just for adjusting the volume or waking up the screen. With a few simple tweaks, they can become shortcuts for taking a quick photo, skipping songs, launching apps, or even activating emergency features.