<p>GIMP 3.2 is out, arriving roughly a year after GIMP 3.0 and marking the team’s first feature release on that foundation. The stated goal is a faster, more iterative release cadence going forward - a welcome change after the years-long wait for 3.0.</p>
<h2>Non-destructive layers</h2>
<p>The headline additions are two new non-destructive layer types.</p>
<p><strong>Link Layers</strong> work similarly to Photoshop’s Smart Objects. You embed an external image file, and if that source file changes, the layer updates automatically. Transforms and edits stay non-destructive, so the original data is never permanently altered.</p>
<p><strong>Vector Layers</strong> are created through the Path tool and support adjustable fill and stroke settings. You can rotate, scale, and transform them without the usual pixel-level damage. Non-destructive live filters have also been expanded, enabling adjustment-layer-style workflows.</p>
<h2>Painting improvements</h2>
<p>The MyPaint Brush tool has been updated to version 2.0, with 20 new brush presets added. It now auto-adjusts to canvas zoom and rotation, which makes it feel more natural during freehand work.</p>
<p>There’s also a new <strong>Overwrite</strong> paint mode that draws over colors without blending transparency. This is particularly useful for pixel art, where alpha blending is usually the last thing you want.</p>
<h2>File format support</h2>
<p>This release adds or improves support for several formats:</p>
<ul>
<li>SVG export (finally)</li>
<li>PDF vector export with expanded options</li>
<li>JPEG 2000</li>
<li>DDS BC7 export</li>
<li>PVR format for retro gaming textures (PlayStation and Dreamcast)</li>
<li>Improved PSD import with more layer styles and .pat pattern file support</li>
<li>Photoshop PSB export</li>
</ul>
<h2>UI and usability</h2>
<p>A few smaller but practical changes: drag-and-drop now works for opening images, the on-canvas Text Editor has been improved with repositioning support and standard formatting shortcuts (bold, italics), and keyboard shortcuts have been added for more tools. There’s also a system color scheme option and updated brush thumbnail theme colors.</p>
<p>The CMYK color selector now shows Total Ink Coverage, which helps with soft-proofing. A new GEGL Filter browser has been added for developers working on scripts and plug-ins, along with a new Vibrance filter.</p>
<p>One note for Windows users: this is the last GIMP release distributed as a 32-bit build.</p>
<p>Ubuntu users can install via the Snap package from the App Center. Builds are available for all major desktop platforms.</p>


Collections

GIMP 3.2 has been released, introducing non-destructive layer types including Link Layers (similar to Photoshop Smart Objects) and Vector Layers created via the Path tool. The MyPaint Brush tool is updated to version 2.0 with 20 new presets and improved zoom/rotation awareness. A new Overwrite paint mode aids pixel art workflows. File format support is expanded with SVG export, PDF vector export, JPEG 2000, DDS BC7, PVR, improved PSD import, and Photoshop PSB export. UI improvements include drag-and-drop image opening, an improved on-canvas text editor, CMYK Total Ink Coverage display, and a new GEGL Filter browser. This is the last GIMP release with a 32-bit Windows build.

GIMP 3.2 released with non-destructive layers and SVG export