GIMP 3.2.8 Released with Text Tool and Performance Improvements

GIMP 3.2.8 is the fourth maintenance update in the stable 3.2 series, which launched in March 2026. It focuses on bug fixes and refinements rather than new features, while larger changes are being developed for a future major release.

The update improves dialog positioning and speeds up loading the Preferences page. The Add Border filter can now create colourful, semi-transparent borders.

The text tool also gains better support for right-to-left languages. Arrow keys now behave correctly, and direction icons appear in the on-canvas interface. When no text direction is chosen, GIMP uses the Unicode Bidirectional Algorithm to determine it from the first character typed.

Other fixes address linked-layer editing: the attributes dialog no longer lets users confirm while a linked file is still being added. Performance improvements include better caching for large gradients and a more efficient marching-ants selection animation. HEIF support has also been adjusted to load larger images.

Developers have added a GUI testing suite to help catch interface regressions during development. The release also includes platform-specific improvements for macOS and Windows, along with security fixes for vulnerabilities in libraries used by GIMP.

GIMP 3.2.8 is available from the official download page, including Linux AppImages and installers for Windows and macOS. It can also be installed through Flathub or the Snap Store. Windows users can get it through the Microsoft Store.