GIMP, the popular open-source image editor, is making progress on a new project file format to replace the long-standing XCF format, which has been in use for nearly 30 years. The development was highlighted in a recent Phoronix report, indicating that the project is actively addressing the limitations of XCF.
The XCF format, introduced in the early days of GIMP, has served as the native format for saving layered images. However, it has limitations in terms of scalability, performance, and compatibility with other software. The new format aims to overcome these issues, potentially offering better compression, faster save/load times, and improved support for modern image features.
While specific details of the new format are still under development, the GIMP team has been discussing the need for a more robust format for years. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize GIMP's core architecture and ensure its long-term viability in a competitive landscape.
Users can expect the new format to be backward compatible or at least provide a migration path, ensuring that existing XCF files remain accessible. The timeline for the new format's implementation has not been officially announced, but the ongoing progress suggests it could be a significant milestone for the project.
