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GIMP 2.10.38 was released on May 5, 2024, as a small maintenance update. Its headline change was optional Windows Ink support alongside WinTab for graphics tablets, plus interface, crash, export, and other fixes. The GIMP Team called it “possibly” the last stable GIMP 2 release at the time; it was the last one expected to receive feature backports, though a bug-fix-only release remained possible.
GIMP 3.0 was released later and changed the plug-in and scripting API, so GIMP 2.10 add-ons may need to be ported before they work in GIMP 3. Check add-on compatibility before upgrading, and use GIMP’s official downloads page for current packages.
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What changed in GIMP 2.10.38?
Windows Ink support for graphics tablets
Before this release, the Windows version supported graphics tablets through WinTab. GIMP 2.10.38 backported Windows Ink support to the GTK2-based 2.10 branch, allowing users to switch between WinTab and Windows Ink in Preferences under Input Device settings, if supported by their computer.
The GIMP Team described reports of unresponsive tablet buttons, incorrect pressure sensitivity, lagging brush movement, and the cursor changing position during a stroke. The Windows Ink option may help, but behavior depends on the computer, tablet, driver, and configuration; the announcement does not guarantee compatibility with any specific tablet model.
To try the available input options:
- Open Edit > Preferences.
- Open the Input Device settings.
- If both are offered, select Windows Ink or WinTab.
- Test pressure sensitivity, buttons, cursor position, and brush response. Restart GIMP if the change does not take effect immediately.
If the tablet still behaves unexpectedly, check the tablet manufacturer’s official driver and control-panel settings. Confirm that the device works outside GIMP before changing other preferences.
Interface improvements and bug fixes
GIMP 2.10.38 remained GTK2-based, but the release backported selected improvements from the GTK3 development line. The GIMP Team highlighted print-dialog sizing, pop-up dialogs appearing behind other dialogs, and keyboard-input fixes.
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The release also fixed a crash on exit associated with a GLib 2.80 change and another crash that could occur when making very small selections. Other listed corrections included:
- Correct colors when exporting indexed PNG images with transparency.
- Corrected input ranges for filters including Waves and Distort.
- UTF-8 support in the titlebar customization field.
- Preventing existing image comments from being copied into newly created images.
The release announcement presents these as selected changes, not a complete engineering change list.
Was GIMP 2.10.38 really the last GIMP 2 release?
When the GIMP Team announced 2.10.38 on May 5, 2024, it described it as “possibly” the last stable GIMP 2 release. The team said it was stopping feature backports to the 2.10 series and focusing on GIMP 3.0, while leaving open the possibility of a bug-fix-only 2.10.40. The announcement did not present the future as certain.
In retrospect, 2.10.38 was the last 2.10 release before GIMP 3.0. The title’s “last stable update before GIMP 3.0” is therefore retrospective; at release time, the team had qualified that expectation.
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GIMP 2.10.38 and the move to GIMP 3.0
GIMP 2.10.38 received selected backports, including Windows Ink support and interface fixes, but remained part of the GTK2-based 2.10 branch. GIMP 3.0 was a major-version transition, including API changes that affect add-on compatibility.
| Area | GIMP 2.10.38 | GIMP 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Release context | Stable 2.10-series update; feature backports were stopping. | Later major-version release. |
| Tablet input | Windows Ink support backported alongside WinTab, if supported by the computer. | Check the release and device documentation for current input support. |
| Plug-ins and scripts | Uses the 2.10 API and add-ons made for that environment. | API changes mean 2.10 add-ons may require porting. |
Check plug-ins and scripts before upgrading
GIMP 3.0’s release notes explain that API changes break compatibility with GIMP 2.10 plug-ins and scripts unless they are ported. Some popular add-ons had already been ported when those notes were published, but add-on status can change. Check the maintainer’s current compatibility information before upgrading or removing a working 2.10 installation.
If your work depends on an older add-on or established automation, keep the existing workflow available until you have tested the replacement or ported version. Do not assume a GIMP 2.10 plug-in will work in GIMP 3.0 unchanged.
Should you use GIMP 2.10.38?
Choose based on your workflow rather than assuming the older release is generally preferable. GIMP 2.10.38 may suit you if a required plug-in, script, package, or documented process depends on the 2.10 environment. If you want to move to GIMP 3.0, first check add-on compatibility and test the tablet behavior and operating-system support you need.
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- List the plug-ins, scripts, and automated tasks your workflow depends on.
- Check their maintainers’ current GIMP 3 compatibility information.
- Test the newer version with copies of your files and your usual devices.
- Keep the older installation available until the new workflow works for you.
Download and installation considerations
The 2.10.38 announcement listed Linux Flatpak, Windows installer, and macOS DMG packages. Package availability can change, so check GIMP’s official downloads page for current options and instructions rather than relying on an old package list. The project recommends official builds; avoid unfamiliar third-party download sites that may distribute modified installers.
A practical Windows-tablet checklist
- Install GIMP from an official source.
- Install or update the tablet manufacturer’s official Windows driver.
- Confirm that the tablet responds in the manufacturer’s control panel or another application.
- Open GIMP’s preferences and inspect Input Device settings.
- If both are available, test Windows Ink and WinTab separately.
- Check pressure sensitivity, pen buttons, cursor position, and brush response after each change.
- Restart GIMP if the selected input option does not take effect immediately.
A third-party driver-updater utility is not a GIMP requirement or a fix guaranteed by version 2.10.38. If Windows reports a device-driver problem, start with the tablet manufacturer’s official driver and Windows’ own device-management tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in GIMP 2.10.38?
The headline change was Windows Ink support alongside WinTab for graphics tablets, if supported by the computer. The release also included selected interface improvements and fixes for crashes, export, filters, and other issues.
Was 2.10.38 definitely intended to be the last GIMP 2 release?
No. The GIMP Team called it “possibly” the last stable GIMP 2 release and left open a bug-fix-only 2.10.40. In retrospect, 2.10.38 was the last 2.10 release before GIMP 3.0.
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Does GIMP 2.10.38 support Windows Ink tablets?
It added Windows Ink support to the Windows version, alongside WinTab. You can switch between them in Preferences under Input Device settings if supported by your computer. Tablet behavior depends on the hardware, driver, and configuration.
Will my GIMP 2.10 plug-ins work in GIMP 3?
Not necessarily. GIMP 3.0 changed the API, so GIMP 2.10 plug-ins and scripts may need to be ported. Check each add-on maintainer’s current compatibility information before upgrading.
Where can I download GIMP 2.10.38 safely?
Use GIMP’s official downloads page and follow its current instructions. Package availability may change; avoid unfamiliar third-party sites that could distribute modified installers.
Bottom line
GIMP 2.10.38 was a small maintenance release whose most notable user-facing change was optional Windows Ink support for graphics tablets. The team presented it as possibly the last stable 2.10 release at the time, and GIMP 3.0 later introduced API changes that affect older plug-ins and scripts. Check add-on compatibility before upgrading, and use official GIMP downloads for current packages.
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