GIMP is (finally) working on a new project file format

A new project file format is in the works for GIMP, as its current XCF upport larger, complex projects. The famed FOSS image editor has used a binary .xcf format since 1997 for saving projects and allowing them to be opened elsewhere, for editing, with layers, effects and so on. But writing in a development update, the team said it’s aware of “more and more limitations” with the format. And with major new features, like animation and multi-page documents, on GIMP’s near-term roadmap, a newer, more capable project file format is being developed. It will use a “zipped XML” structure, common […]
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https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/08/gimp-new-project-file-format