Quick wins for a faster PC:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Update: GIMP 3.0 RC1 was announced on November 6, 2024. It was followed by RC2 and RC3, and the stable GIMP 3.0 release arrived in March 2025. If you want to use GIMP today, download the current stable version from the official GIMP downloads page rather than the old RC1 build.
RC1 was an important milestone: it brought GIMP’s long-running GTK3 transition, API work, color-management improvements, non-destructive editing updates, and many interface changes close to release. But “release candidate” meant near-final testing—not production-ready software with guaranteed plugin compatibility.
What GIMP announced on November 6, 2024
The GIMP development team announced GIMP 3.0 Release Candidate 1 on November 6, 2024. The build was considered close enough to a final release for broad community testing, but it could still contain bugs, regressions, incomplete integrations, or compatibility problems.
A release candidate can become the final version if testing uncovers no serious issues. If important problems appear, developers may issue another candidate first. That is exactly what happened with GIMP 3.0, so RC1 should not be confused with the finished release.
#1 Best Overall
- Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
Why GIMP 3.0 was a major change
GIMP 3.0 was not simply a new splash screen or a cosmetic redesign. The project moved from the older GTK2 foundation to GTK3, a technical transition that enabled improvements that could not reasonably be backported to GIMP 2.10.
According to GIMP’s 3.0 release notes, the GTK3 foundation supports better HiDPI scaling, improved tablet handling, CSS-based themes, and native Wayland operation. These changes matter particularly to artists using high-resolution displays, pressure-sensitive tablets, Linux desktop environments, and customized interfaces.
The broader 3.0 work also included:
- Non-destructive layer effects and filter-related improvements.
- More capable color management and soft-proofing workflows.
- Changes to layers, channels, paths, text, shortcuts, and off-canvas editing.
- Expanded file-format support and updates to existing import and export workflows.
- An optional new welcome dialog and other usability changes.
- Public API work intended to provide a more stable foundation for future plugin development.
- Changes to Script-Fu, GEGL, babl, and the plugin architecture.
Some of these were still being refined during the release-candidate period. RC1 therefore represented the state of a major transition, not a promise that every part of the new system was finished or compatible with every existing extension.
Rank #2
- Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
- Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
- Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
- Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey
What RC1 included
The RC1 announcement grouped the work into several areas:
- New Wilber icons and a new splash screen.
- Improvements to legacy icon themes.
- Continued color-space work.
- Public API finalization.
- Updates to non-destructive editing.
- User-interface changes across the application.
- Plugin-related work, including BMP and TIFF changes.
- Updates to GEGL and babl.
- Platform and packaging information.
- Translation progress and details about the release process.
The useful interpretation is that RC1 brought the project much closer to a shippable GIMP 3.0 while asking users to find the problems that developers could not identify alone.
The biggest warning: plugins and scripts
The move to GIMP 3.0 affected more than GIMP’s internal code. The development team’s October 2024 development update explained that the API transition could require third-party plugins and Script-Fu code to be ported.
Rank #3
- Customize Your Workflow: The 6 customizable press keys on Huion H640P drawing tablet for pc let you assign your most-used commands—like undo, zoom, brush switch, or save—so you can keep your hands on the tablet and your mind on the art. Whether you're a digital painter switching brushes, or a comic artist zooming in and out, these keys keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Plus, the Huion driver lets you save different shortcut profiles for different apps, so you never have to reconfigure when switching software.
- Professional Pen Performance: Huion H640P drawing pad for computer comes with the battery-free PW100 stylus that's always ready when inspiration strikes. With 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, every light sketch, or bold stroke responds naturally to your hand—just like a real pen. The 5080 LPI resolution and 233 PPS report rate deliver lag-free, precise strokes, so you can draw confidently without second-guessing your cursor. The pen side buttons help you switch between pen and eraser instantly.
- Compact and Portable: Huion H640P computer graphics tablet features a compact, ultra-portable design at just 0.3 inches thin and 0.61 lbs light, so it slides easily into your backpack—perfect for sketching in coffee shops, taking notes in class, or editing on the go between home and studio. The 6x4 inch active area offers enough room for natural pen movements while fitting comfortably on crowded desks, or lecture hall seats.
- Stable Compatibility: Huion H640P graphic drawing tablet works seamlessly with Mac, Windows, Linux PCs, and Android smartphones/tablets (OS version 6.0 or later). Left-handed friendly, and you just need to flip the tablet and adjust the settings in the driver. Please note: H640P does NOT support iPhone/iPad.
- Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.
A plugin compiled for GIMP 2.10 might not work in GIMP 3.0. A script written for one development snapshot might also need changes for another. Compatibility depended on the individual extension and whether its maintainer had produced a GIMP 3-compatible version.
Users with specialized tools should be especially cautious. Check compatibility for essential plugins before changing your main installation. The same applies to darktable integration, custom brushes and patterns, fonts, palettes, export presets, and other parts of a carefully built painting or photography workflow.
Who should have tested RC1?
RC1 made sense for people who could separate experimentation from production work, including:
Rank #4
- PLEASE NOTE：XPPen Artist13.3 Pro drawing tablet Need to connect with computer,you need to use it with your computer or laptop, the 3 in 1 cable is included
- Drawing Tablet with Screen: Tilt Function- XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro supports up to 60 degrees of tilt function, so now you don't need to adjust the brush direction in the software again and again. Simply tilt to add shading to your creation and enjoy smoother and more natural transitions between lines and strokes
- Graphics Tablets: High Color Gamut- The 13.3 inch fully-laminated FHD Display pairs a superb color accuracy of 88% NTSC (Adobe RGB≧91%，sRGB≧123%) with a 178-degree viewing angle and delivers rich colors, vivid images, and dazzling details in a wider view. Your creative world is now as powerful as it is colorful
- Drawing Pad: One is enough- The sleek Red Dial on the display is expertly designed with creators in mind, its strategic placement allows for natural drawing postures. With just one wheel, you can effortlessly zoom in and out, adjust brush sizes, and flip the canvas—all tailored to suit the habits of everyday artists. The 8 customizable shortcut keys allow you to personalize your setup, streamlining your workflow and enhancing creative efficiency
- Universal Compatibility & Software Support：supports Windows 7 (or later), Mac OS X 10.10 (or later), Chrome OS 88 (or later), and Linux systems. Fully compatible with major creative software including Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, and Blender 3D. Register your device to access additional programs like ArtRage 5 and openCanvas for expanded creative possibilities.
- Artists and photographers willing to test copies of real projects.
- Linux users evaluating GTK3 or Wayland behavior.
- Tablet users testing pressure, stylus controls, and input behavior.
- Users with demanding color-management or unusual file-format workflows.
- Plugin and Script-Fu developers preparing ports.
- GIMP users willing to provide reproducible bug reports.
It was a poor choice for urgent client work, irreplaceable files, or workflows dependent on unported legacy plugins. Anyone unable to maintain a separate stable installation had little reason to take the risk.
How to test a release candidate safely
- Use an official source. For historical builds, use GIMP’s official release pages or archive. For current use, start with the stable downloads page; development builds are listed separately at gimp.org/downloads/devel.
- Back up your work. Keep copies of XCF files, brushes, patterns, fonts, palettes, plugins, Script-Fu files, preferences, and presets.
- Keep production separate. Maintain GIMP 2.10 or a stable GIMP 3.x installation alongside the test build where your operating system permits it.
- Test copies, not originals. Use representative projects containing layers, masks, paths, text, imported PSD files, and your normal export settings.
- Exercise the parts of your workflow that matter. Test tablet pressure, fonts, color profiles, soft-proofing, PSD, TIFF, BMP, PNG, and JPEG handling, plugin loading, and darktable handoff if you use it.
- Record the environment. Include the exact GIMP build, operating system, desktop session, graphics hardware, file type, plugin list, and precise reproduction steps in a bug report.
A crash or strange rendering problem is more useful to developers when it can be reproduced. Keep crash logs and terminal output where available, and report confirmed issues through GIMP’s official bug-reporting channels rather than assuming the problem is unique to your machine.
What could go wrong?
The candidate period showed why testing mattered. RC2, released on December 27, 2024, addressed issues involving settings migration, Windows console behavior, missing macOS fonts, and darktable integration. See the project’s RC2 announcement.
Best Value
- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
RC3, released on February 10, 2025, included further bug fixes and refinements involving GTK3, Wayland, APIs, and file formats. Its package categories included Linux AppImages and Flatpaks for x86 and ARM 64-bit, universal Windows installers for x86 and ARM 64-bit, Windows MSIX packages, and macOS DMGs for Intel and Apple Silicon. Those package categories did not imply identical maturity or behavior across every platform.
If testing causes trouble:
- Reopen the original project in a stable GIMP version.
- Do not overwrite the only copy of an XCF file from a release candidate.
- Temporarily disable third-party plugins to isolate extension-related failures.
- Try a clean preferences directory if startup, fonts, or interface behavior becomes abnormal.
- On Linux, compare X11 and Wayland when the issue appears desktop-session-specific.
- Keep crash logs and relevant terminal output.
- Do not switch permanently until essential plugins have GIMP 3-compatible builds.
There is no single rollback command that applies to every operating system or package format, so recovery should follow the platform’s installation and application-data conventions.
What happened after RC1?
| Date | Milestone | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|
| November 6, 2024 | GIMP 3.0 RC1 | First release candidate and a request for broad community testing. |
| December 27, 2024 | GIMP 3.0 RC2 | Fixes and refinements based on initial testing. |
| February 10, 2025 | GIMP 3.0 RC3 | Another round of community testing and additional platform, API, and file-format fixes. |
| March 2025 | Stable GIMP 3.0 | The major release was completed and documented in the official release notes. |
Should you install RC1 now?
No—not for ordinary use. RC1 is now a historical development build, and the stable GIMP 3.0 release has superseded it. Current readers should use the official stable download page and consult the release notes for the finished 3.0 feature set.
The old RC1 remains relevant if you are studying GIMP’s development history, reproducing a historical bug, or maintaining a project that specifically depends on that build. For normal painting, photography, or design work, an old release candidate offers no advantage over a current stable release.
The practical verdict
GIMP 3.0 RC1 was a significant invitation to participate in the final testing of a long-awaited technical transition. It offered early access to GTK3 improvements, non-destructive editing work, color-management changes, and a new plugin-development foundation—but it also carried real migration risks.
At the time, the sensible setup was a stable GIMP installation for important work and RC1 in an isolated testing environment. In 2026, the sensible choice is simpler: use the current stable GIMP release, and treat RC1 as an archival milestone rather than a download recommendation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
