It seems that those excited for GIMP 3.0 won't have to wait much longer, especially after a recent update from one of the official maintainers on X. According to @zemarmot, the team behind GIMP 3.0 has only eight bug reports remaining out of a total of 350, indicating they are close to releasing the first release candidate (RC1).
Nearing the Finish Line
This update suggests that there are just a handful of bugs left to fix before the official version is launched, meaning we could expect the GIMP 3.0 Release Candidate 1 in just a few weeks. Based on a recent development update from the GIMP 3.0 team, it appears they have been busy not only with new features but also addressing various bugs, some of which have lingered since GIMP 2.10.
Exciting New Features
We have previously discussed the many new features coming to GIMP, and some key highlights include improvements in technical areas like color management, enhancements in scripting capabilities, updates to libraries, the GIMP API, and the graphical interface for plugin creation. Additionally, there have been major updates to GIMP's documentation, a new design library, and a revamped user interface, all aimed at making the image editor more accessible for beginners.
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Final Thoughts
In summary, GIMP 3.0 is shaping up to be a significant upgrade, with the team making noticeable efforts to improve user experience and functionality. With the release candidate on the horizon, it's an exciting time for both new and existing users of this powerful image editing tool.