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GIMP 3.0 RC1, announced on November 6, 2024, was a community-testing preview of a major update to the open-source image editor—not a guaranteed stable release. It showed some interface changes and format additions, while the broader GIMP 3.0 transition brought GTK3, improved display and tablet support, non-destructive filters, and other workflow changes. Stable GIMP 3.0 followed on March 16, 2025.
RC1 matters today as a historical milestone: it marked the move from the 2.10 generation toward GIMP 3.0, while inviting users to test compatibility and report problems before the stable release.
What was GIMP 3.0 RC1?
“RC1” means “release candidate 1”: a build that might be ready for release but is offered to a wider community for testing and feedback first. The GIMP Team said the candidate followed more than six years of work across the development cycle. The announcement asked users to test it and report problems; it did not estimate when the final 3.0.0 release would arrive.
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#1 Best Overall
- Battery-free Stylus - Only COMPATIBLE to Huion Inspiroy H640P/H950P/H1060P/H610Pro V2/HS610/HS64/H420X/H580X/H610X; Never worry about pen-charging, and eco-friendly of use; Without operating battery, the pen is only 16g in weight, and its front end is made of wearable silicone for soothing feel.
- NOT COMPATIBLE with iPad, other Graphics Tablet or Huion Graphics Monitor GT Series; Huion provides one year warranty.
- Two Customizable Pen Buttons - Set the function to your reference like eraser, fasten your working efficiency; Palm rejection design of dual keys on both sides of the pen helps reduce touch frequency and realize most effective creation.
- Long-lasting Lifespan - First of Huion's products features battery-free stylus, say goodbye to charging cables; Don't need to worry about the potential battery leakage and run-out.
- 8192 Levels of Pen Pressure Sensitivity - Enjoy the accuracy and precision when drawing; Having 233 PPS report rate, 5080LPI resolution, you can paint or draw or sketch smoothly on your Huion Inspiroy series Tablets.
What changed in GIMP 3.0 RC1?
The RC1 announcement highlighted several interface refinements and a small number of format-related additions. These are distinct from the broader feature set that arrived with stable GIMP 3.0.
- Broader multi-selection support in the interface.
- Restored mouse-wheel navigation across dockable-dialog tabs.
- Respect for the operating system’s reduced-animation preference in the About dialog.
- Support for 64-bits-per-pixel BMP images.
- Loading layers from TIFF files saved in Sketchbook format.
The announcement said most plug-in work during the feature freeze consisted of API updates and bug fixes, with a few smaller enhancements. It would be misleading to describe every plug-in as substantially redesigned in RC1.
Rank #2
- New upgraded version: Battery-free Stylus with 8192 Levels Pressure does not require charging, The report rate of the H420X graphic tablet has increased to 300 PPS, making lines quicker and smoother, and feel like a real pen. The pen also has 2 customizable buttons on the side that allow you to switch between right-clicking and the eraser etc instantly
- Graphic design tablet H420X is only 7mm in thickness and 167g in weight. A slim and compact design with a active area of 4.17x2.6 inches and dimension of 6.77x4.3 inches make it perfect for limited desktop space and easy to carry out when on a trip.
- H420X huion drawing tablet is compatible with Windows 7 or later, Mac OS 10.12 or later, and Android 6.0 or later. Huion H420X drawing pad has good compatibility with most drawing software including Adobe Photoshop, Paint tool sai, Corel Painter, Illustrator, Sketchbook, Manga Studio, Clip Studio Paint, Fireworks, Comic Studio, SAI, Krista, Infinite Stratos, Pixologic ZBrush and other major graphics applications, and more. H420X is NOT compatible with iOS.
- H420X computer graphics tablets also can be used for playing OSU games, signing documents, taking notes, and more. No need to install the driver. Just plug and play!
- The note taking tablet is also easier to handwrite write, edit, and annotate with a stylus for online education, e-learning, remote working, or web conference. HUION H420X also is compatible with XSplit, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more
How did stable GIMP 3.0 differ from GIMP 2.10?
The broader GIMP 3.0 release introduced changes across the interface, editing workflow, layer operations, and file compatibility. Not every feature below originated in RC1; these are changes described in the stable release notes and announcement.
| Area | GIMP 3.0 changes |
|---|---|
| Interface and display | GTK3 port, improved HiDPI scaling, CSS-based theming, and native Wayland operation. |
| Editing workflow | Non-destructive editing for many commonly used filters, with on-canvas previews, and editable styled text. |
| Layer operations | Multi-item layer selection and transforms, plus automatic layer expansion while painting. |
| Compatibility and color | Improved color management and file exchange, including BC7 DDS support and better PSD export. |
| Tablet input | Improved tablet input support. |
What should users know about testing and compatibility?
GIMP’s RC1 announcement asked the community to test the candidate and report issues, especially with older XCF projects, configuration migration, crashes, regressions, and the API. A release candidate is a test build, so results from one workflow do not guarantee that every project or extension will behave as expected.
Rank #3
- Work for both hands - Huion Artist Glove with two fingers; The package includes one unit of glove which can be used on both hand, free size; 20cm in length, 8cm in width.
- Anti-fouling design - It can prevent smudges from your hand on a Graphic Tablet, Graphics Monitor or some other items, leaving no more scratch. Note: The glove cannot prevent accidental touching from the touch screen, it just can reduce the friction between your hand and the tablet surface.
- Comfortable Material - Made from Soft Lycra and Nylon, extremely flexible, comfortable to work with; It can reduce friction between your hand and the surface.
- Classic color - The glove is black, peaceful and charming color; And the most important point is that this color is soiling resistant so you do not need to wash it frequently.
- Flexible using - Works perfectly for sketching, inking, coloring and digital drawing on graphics tablets.
For plug-in and script users, the announcement emphasized API updates and potential inconsistencies. Check whether an essential extension supports the version you plan to use, and test copies of important projects before changing a production workflow.
Is a drawing tablet required for GIMP?
No. GIMP’s improved tablet input support is useful to people who draw or retouch with a pen, but a graphics tablet is an optional peripheral, not a requirement for using the application. A mouse or trackpad remains suitable for many editing tasks.
Rank #4
- Ultra thin tablet: Active Area 4 x 3 inches. Fully utilizing our 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity―Providing you with groundbreaking control and fluidity to expand your creative output. Please note: The 4 x 3 inches is very small, please confirm that it will meet your needs before you purchase it
- OSU game: Designed for OSU! gameplay, drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures etc. No need to install drivers for OSU! It's also designed for both right and left hand users
- Accurate Pen Performance: StarG430S computer graphics 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
- Compact and Portable: The G430S art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it’s as slim as all primary level graphic tablets,Ultra-thin and portable, allowing you hold it in one hand and carry it on the go. This graphic drawing tablet supports Mac. However, since the product interface is micro USB to USB-A, if your computer is a Mac and does not have a USB-A port, you will need to purchase an OTG transfer adapter to ensure compatibility with your Mac. So please confirm your computer port before you purchase it
- PLEASE NOTE: The XPPen StarG 430 is compatible with the Windows system 11/10/8/7(32/64 bit), and the Mac OS X version 10.10 or later, but it is incompatible with iOS and iPad OS. If your computer is a Mac, you need to grant permission to the Mac preferences first. Please go to our official website, and according to the guide: XPPen>Support>FAQ, find out the Star G430 and click, then click the question according to your Mac system. There are detailed guidelines for installing the driver so your tablet will work correctly. It's possible incompatible with the customer's own EMR system or other signature system. Please feel free to contact us to confirm the compatibility before your purchase
Release timeline
| Date | Milestone | Context |
|---|---|---|
| November 6, 2024 | GIMP 3.0 RC1 announced | Community testing and problem reporting began. |
| March 16, 2025 | Stable GIMP 3.0 released | The release-candidate stage concluded. |
The GIMP Team described the stable release as the result of seven years of hard work. Its RC1 announcement had earlier described more than six years of work at that earlier stage; these are the team’s descriptions of different release stages, not independently measured durations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Was GIMP 3.0 RC1 a stable release?
No. It was a release candidate intended for wider testing and feedback. The GIMP Team asked the community to report problems before the stable release.
Best Value
- 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 features were specifically highlighted in the RC1 announcement?
The announcement highlighted broader interface multi-selection, mouse-wheel navigation across dockable-dialog tabs, reduced-animation preference support in the About dialog, 64-bits-per-pixel BMP images, and loading layers from TIFF files saved in Sketchbook format.
Did every GIMP 3.0 feature come from RC1?
No. Stable GIMP 3.0 included broader changes such as non-destructive filters, improved HiDPI support, native Wayland operation, and better PSD export. These should be described as GIMP 3.0 changes, not all as RC1 features.
Is a tablet necessary to use GIMP?
No. Improved tablet input support benefits pen-based drawing and retouching, but a tablet is optional.
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The Bottom Line
GIMP 3.0 RC1 was a community-testing milestone announced on November 6, 2024. It previewed selected interface and format changes, while stable GIMP 3.0 later delivered a broader transition involving GTK3, editing workflows, layers, compatibility, and tablet support. The distinction matters: RC1 was a preview, not the complete stable feature set.
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