gimprc - gimp configuration file

The gimprc file is a configuration file read by the GIMP when it starts up. There are two of these: one system-wide one stored in /etc/gimp/2.0/gimprc and a per-user $HOME/.gimp-2.2/gimprc which may override system settings.

Comments are introduced by a hash sign (#), and continue until the end of the line. Blank lines are ignored.

The gimprc file associates values with properties. These properties may be set by lisp-like assignments of the form:

(property-name value)

where:

property-name

is one of the property names described below.

value

is the value the property is to be set to.

Either spaces or tabs may be used to separate the name from the value.

Valid properties and their default values are:

(temp-path "${gimp_dir}/tmp")

Sets the temporary storage directory. Files will appear here during the course of running the GIMP. Most files will disappear when the GIMP exits, but some files are likely to remain, so it is best if this directory not be one that is shared by other users. This is a single folder.

(swap-path "${gimp_dir}")

Sets the swap file location. The gimp uses a tile based memory allocation scheme. The swap file is used to quickly and easily swap tiles out to disk and back in. Be aware that the swap file can easily get very large if the GIMP is used with large images. Also, things can get horribly slow if the swap file is created on a directory that is mounted over NFS. For these reasons, it may be desirable to put your swap file in "/tmp". This is a single folder.

(num-processors 1)

On multiprocessor machines, if GIMP has been compiled with --enable-mp this sets how many processors GIMP should use simultaneously. This is an integer value.

(tile-cache-size 128M)

The tile cache is used to make sure the GIMP doesn't thrash tiles between memory and disk. Setting this value higher will cause the GIMP to use less swap space, but will also cause the GIMP to use more memory. Conversely, a smaller cache size causes the GIMP to use more swap space and less memory. The integer size can contain a suffix of 'B', 'K', 'M' or 'G' which makes GIMP interpret the size as being specified in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes or gigabytes. If no suffix is specified the size defaults to being specified in kilobytes.

(interpolation-type linear)

Sets the level of interpolation used for scaling and other transformations. Possible values are none, linear and cubic.

(plug-in-path "${gimp_dir}/plug-ins:${gimp_plug_in_dir}/plug-ins")

Sets the plug-in search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(module-path "${gimp_dir}/modules:${gimp_plug_in_dir}/modules")

Sets the module search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(environ-path "${gimp_dir}/environ:${gimp_plug_in_dir}/environ")

Sets the environ search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(brush-path "${gimp_dir}/brushes:${gimp_data_dir}/brushes")

Sets the brush search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(brush-path-writable "${gimp_dir}/brushes")

This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(pattern-path "${gimp_dir}/patterns:${gimp_data_dir}/patterns")

Sets the pattern search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(pattern-path-writable "${gimp_dir}/patterns")

This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(palette-path "${gimp_dir}/palettes:${gimp_data_dir}/palettes")

Sets the palette search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(palette-path-writable "${gimp_dir}/palettes")

This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(gradient-path "${gimp_dir}/gradients:${gimp_data_dir}/gradients")

Sets the gradient search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(gradient-path-writable "${gimp_dir}/gradients")

This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(font-path "${gimp_dir}/fonts:${gimp_data_dir}/fonts")

Where to look for fonts. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(font-path-writable "${gimp_dir}/fonts")

This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(default-brush "Circle (11)")

Specify a default brush. The brush is searched for in the specified brush path. This is a string value.

(default-pattern "Pine")

Specify a default pattern. The pattern is searched for in the specified pattern path. This is a string value.

(default-palette "Default")

Specify a default palette. The palette is searched for in the specified palette path. This is a string value.

(default-gradient "FG to BG (RGB)")

Specify a default gradient. The gradient is searched for in the specified gradient path. This is a string value.

(default-font "Sans")

Specify a default font. The font is searched for in the fontconfig font path. This is a string value.

(global-brush yes)

When enabled, the selected brush will be used for all tools. Possible values are yes and no.

(global-pattern yes)

When enabled, the selected pattern will be used for all tools. Possible values are yes and no.

(global-palette yes)

When enabled, the selected palette will be used for all tools. Possible values are yes and no.

(global-gradient yes)

When enabled, the selected gradient will be used for all tools. Possible values are yes and no.

(global-font yes)

When enabled, the selected font will be used for all tools. Possible values are yes and no.

(default-image

(width 420) (height 300) (unit pixels) (xresolution 72.000000) (yresolution 72.000000) (resolution-unit inches) (image-type rgb) (fill-type background-fill) (comment "Created with The GIMP"))

Sets the default image in the "File/New" dialog. This is a parameter list.

(default-grid

(style intersections) (fgcolor (color-rgba 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 1.000000)) (bgcolor (color-rgba 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000)) (xspacing 10.000000) (yspacing 10.000000) (spacing-unit inches) (xoffset 0.000000) (yoffset 0.000000) (offset-unit inches))

Specify a default image grid. This is a parameter list.

(undo-levels 5)

Sets the minimal number of operations that can be undone. More undo levels are kept available until the undo-size limit is reached. This is an integer value.

(undo-size 16M)

Sets an upper limit to the memory that is used per image to keep operations on the undo stack. Regardless of this setting, at least as many undo-levels as configured can be undone. The integer size can contain a suffix of 'B', 'K', 'M' or 'G' which makes GIMP interpret the size as being specified in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes or gigabytes. If no suffix is specified the size defaults to being specified in kilobytes.

(undo-preview-size large)

Sets the size of the previews in the Undo History. Possible values are tiny, extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large, huge, enormous and gigantic.

(pluginrc-path "${gimp_dir}/pluginrc")

Sets the pluginrc search path. This is a single filename.

(layer-previews yes)

Sets whether GIMP should create previews of layers and channels. Previews in the layers and channels dialog are nice to have but they can slow things down when working with large images. Possible values are yes and no.

(layer-preview-size medium)

Sets the preview size used for layers and channel previews in newly created dialogs. Possible values are tiny, extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large, huge, enormous and gigantic.

(thumbnail-size normal)

Sets the size of the thumbnail shown in the Open dialog. Note that GIMP can not create thumbnails if layer previews are disabled. Possible values are none, normal and large.

(thumbnail-filesize-limit 4M)

The thumbnail in the Open dialog will be automatically updated if the file being previewed is smaller than the size set here. The integer size can contain a suffix of 'B', 'K', 'M' or 'G' which makes GIMP interpret the size as being specified in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes or gigabytes. If no suffix is specified the size defaults to being specified in kilobytes.

(install-colormap no)

Install a private colormap; might be useful on 8-bit (256 colors) displays. Possible values are yes and no.

(min-colors 144)

Generally only a concern for 8-bit displays, this sets the minimum number of system colors allocated for the GIMP. This is an integer value.

(transparency-size medium-checks)

Sets the size of the checkerboard used to display transparency. Possible values are small-checks, medium-checks and large-checks.

(transparency-type gray-checks)

Sets the manner in which transparency is displayed in images. Possible values are light-checks, gray-checks, dark-checks, white-only, gray-only and black-only.

(snap-distance 8)

This is the distance in pixels where Guide and Grid snapping activates. This is an integer value.

(marching-ants-speed 300)

Speed of marching ants in the selection outline. This value is in milliseconds (less time indicates faster marching). This is an integer value.

(resize-windows-on-zoom no)

When enabled, the image window will automatically resize itself, when zooming into and out of images. Possible values are yes and no.

(resize-windows-on-resize no)

When enabled, the image window will automatically resize itself, whenever the physical image size changes. Possible values are yes and no.

(default-dot-for-dot yes)

When enabled, this will ensure that each pixel of an image gets mapped to a pixel on the screen. Possible values are yes and no.

(initial-zoom-to-fit yes)

When enabled, this will ensure that the full image is visible after a file is opened, otherwise it will be displayed with a scale of 1:1. Possible values are yes and no.

(perfect-mouse yes)

When enabled, the X server is queried for the mouse's current position on each motion event, rather than relying on the position hint. This means painting with large brushes should be more accurate, but it may be slower. Perversely, on some X servers enabling this option results in faster painting. Possible values are yes and no.

(cursor-mode tool-icon)

Sets the mode of cursor the GIMP will use. Possible values are tool-icon, tool-crosshair and crosshair.

(cursor-updating yes)

Context-dependent cursors are cool. They are enabled by default. However, they require overhead that you may want to do without. Possible values are yes and no.

(show-brush-outline yes)

When enabled, all paint tools will show a preview of the current brush's outline. Possible values are yes and no.

(show-paint-tool-cursor yes)

When enabled, the cursor will be shown over the image while using a paint tool. Possible values are yes and no.

(image-title-format "%D*%f-%p.%i (%t, %L) %wx%h")

Sets the text to appear in image window titles. This is a format string; certain % character sequences are recognised and expanded as follows:

%% literal percent sign

%f bare filename, or "Untitled"

%F full path to file, or "Untitled"

%p PDB image id

%i view instance number

%t image type (RGB, grayscale, indexed)

%z zoom factor as a percentage

%s source scale factor

%d destination scale factor

%Dx expands to x if the image is dirty, the empty string otherwise

%Cx expands to x if the image is clean, the empty string otherwise

%B expands to (modified) if the image is dirty, the empty string otherwise

%A expands to (clean) if the image is clean, the empty string otherwise

%l the number of layers

%L the number of layers (long form)

%m memory used by the image

%n the name of the active layer/channel

%P the PDB id of the active layer/channel

%w image width in pixels

%W image width in real-world units

%h image height in pixels

%H image height in real-world units

%u unit symbol

%U unit abbreviation

(image-status-format "%n (%m)")

Sets the text to appear in image window status bars. This is a format string; certain % character sequences are recognised and expanded as follows:

%% literal percent sign

%f bare filename, or "Untitled"

%F full path to file, or "Untitled"

%p PDB image id

%i view instance number

%t image type (RGB, grayscale, indexed)

%z zoom factor as a percentage

%s source scale factor

%d destination scale factor

%Dx expands to x if the image is dirty, the empty string otherwise

%Cx expands to x if the image is clean, the empty string otherwise

%B expands to (modified) if the image is dirty, the empty string otherwise

%A expands to (clean) if the image is clean, the empty string otherwise

%l the number of layers

%L the number of layers (long form)

%m memory used by the image

%n the name of the active layer/channel

%P the PDB id of the active layer/channel

%w image width in pixels

%W image width in real-world units

%h image height in pixels

%H image height in real-world units

%u unit symbol

%U unit abbreviation

(confirm-on-close yes)

Ask for confirmation before closing an image without saving. Possible values are yes and no.

(monitor-xresolution 72.000000)

Sets the monitor's horizontal resolution, in dots per inch. If set to 0, forces the X server to be queried for both horizontal and vertical resolution information. This is a float value.

(monitor-yresolution 72.000000)

Sets the monitor's vertical resolution, in dots per inch. If set to 0, forces the X server to be queried for both horizontal and vertical resolution information. This is a float value.

(monitor-resolution-from-windowing-system yes)

When enabled, the GIMP will use the monitor resolution from the windowing system. Possible values are yes and no.

(navigation-preview-size medium)

Sets the size of the navigation preview available in the lower right corner of the image window. Possible values are tiny, extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large, huge, enormous and gigantic.

(default-view

(show-menubar yes) (show-rulers yes) (show-scrollbars yes) (show-statusbar yes) (show-selection yes) (show-layer-boundary yes) (show-guides yes) (show-grid no) (padding-mode default) (padding-color (color-rgba 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000)))

Sets the default settings for the image view. This is a parameter list.

(default-fullscreen-view

(show-menubar no) (show-rulers no) (show-scrollbars no) (show-statusbar no) (show-selection no) (show-layer-boundary no) (show-guides no) (show-grid no) (padding-mode custom) (padding-color (color-rgba 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 1.000000)))

Sets the default settings used when an image is viewed in fullscreen mode. This is a parameter list.

(activate-on-focus yes)

When enabled, an image will become the active image when its image window receives the focus. This is useful for window managers using "click to focus". Possible values are yes and no.

(default-threshold 15)

Tools such as fuzzy-select and bucket fill find regions based on a seed-fill algorithm. The seed fill starts at the initially selected pixel and progresses in all directions until the difference of pixel intensity from the original is greater than a specified threshold. This value represents the default threshold. This is an integer value.

(move-tool-changes-active no)

If enabled, the move tool changes the active layer or path when a layer or path is being picked. This used to be the default behaviour in older versions. Possible values are yes and no.

(info-window-per-display no)

When enabled, the GIMP will use a different info window per image view. Possible values are yes and no.

(trust-dirty-flag no)

When enabled, the GIMP will not save if the image is unchanged since opening it. Possible values are yes and no.

(save-device-status no)

Remember the current tool, pattern, color, and brush across GIMP sessions. Possible values are yes and no.

(save-session-info yes)

Save the positions and sizes of the main dialogs when the GIMP exits. Possible values are yes and no.

(restore-session yes)

Let GIMP try to restore your last saved session on each startup. Possible values are yes and no.

(show-tips yes)

Enable to display a handy GIMP tip on startup. Possible values are yes and no.

(show-tool-tips yes)

Enable to display tooltips. Possible values are yes and no.

(tearoff-menus yes)

When enabled, menus can be torn off. Possible values are yes and no.

(can-change-accels no)

When enabled, you can change keyboard shortcuts for menu items by hitting a key combination while the menu item is highlighted. Possible values are yes and no.

(save-accels yes)

Save changed keyboard shortcuts when the GIMP exits. Possible values are yes and no.

(restore-accels yes)

Restore saved keyboard shortcuts on each GIMP startup. Possible values are yes and no.

(menu-mnemonics yes)

When enabled, GIMP will show mnemonics in menus. Possible values are yes and no.

(last-opened-size 10)

How many recently opened image filenames to keep on the File menu. This is an integer value.

(max-new-image-size 64M)

GIMP will warn the user if an attempt is made to create an image that would take more memory than the size specified here. The integer size can contain a suffix of 'B', 'K', 'M' or 'G' which makes GIMP interpret the size as being specified in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes or gigabytes. If no suffix is specified the size defaults to being specified in kilobytes.

(toolbox-color-area yes)

The toolbox-color-area property has no description. Possible values are yes and no.

(toolbox-foo-area yes)

The toolbox-foo-area property has no description. Possible values are yes and no.

(toolbox-image-area no)

The toolbox-image-area property has no description. Possible values are yes and no.

(theme-path "${gimp_dir}/themes:${gimp_data_dir}/themes")

Sets the theme search path. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(theme "Default")

The name of the theme to use. This is a string value.

(use-help yes)

When enabled, pressing F1 will open the help browser. Possible values are yes and no.

(show-help-button yes)

When enabled, dialogs will show a help button that gives access to the related help page. Without this button, the help page can still be reached by pressing F1. Possible values are yes and no.

(help-locales "")

Specifies the language preferences used by the help system. This is a colon-separated list of language identifiers with decreasing priority. If empty, the language is taken from the user's locale setting. This is a string value.

(help-browser web-browser)

Sets the browser used by the help system. Possible values are gimp and web-browser.

(web-browser "mozilla %s")

Sets the external web browser to be used. This can be an absolute path or the name of an executable to search for in the user's PATH. If the command contains '%s' it will be replaced with the URL, else the URL will be appended to the command with a space separating the two. This is a single filename.

(toolbox-window-hint normal)

The window type hint that is set on the toolbox. This may affect how your window manager decorates and handles the toolbox window. Possible values are normal, utility and keep-above.

(dock-window-hint normal)

The window type hint that is set on dock windows. This may affect the way your window manager decorates and handles dock windows. Possible values are normal, utility and keep-above.

(cursor-format pixbuf)

Sets the pixel format of cursors the GIMP will use. Possible values are bitmap and pixbuf.

(fractalexplorer-path "${gimp_dir}/fractalexplorer:${gimp_data_dir}/fractalexplorer")

Where to search for fractals used by the Fractal Explorer plug-in. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(gfig-path "${gimp_dir}/gfig:${gimp_data_dir}/gfig")

Where to search for Gfig figures used by the Gfig plug-in. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(gflare-path "${gimp_dir}/gflare:${gimp_data_dir}/gflare")

Where to search for gflares used by the GFlare plug-in. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(gimpressionist-path "${gimp_dir}/gimpressionist:${gimp_data_dir}/gimpressionist")

Where to search for data used by the Gimpressionist plug-in. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

(script-fu-path "${gimp_dir}/scripts:${gimp_data_dir}/scripts")

This path will be searched for scripts when the Script-Fu plug-in is run. This is a colon-separated list of folders to search.

Strings of type PATH are expanded in a manner similar to bash(1). Specifically: tilde (~) is expanded to the user's home directory. Note that the bash feature of being able to refer to other user's home directories by writing ~userid/ is not valid in this file.

${variable} is expanded to the current value of an environment variable. There are a few variables that are pre-defined:

gimp_dir

The personal gimp directory which is set to the value of the environment variable GIMP2_DIRECTORY or to ~/.gimp-2.2.

gimp_data_dir

Base for paths to shareable data, which is set to the value of the environment variable GIMP2_DATADIR or to the compiled-in default value ${prefix}/share/gimp/2.0.

gimp_plug_in_dir

Base to paths for architecture-specific plugins and modules, which is set to the value of the environment variable GIMP2_PLUGINDIR or to the compiled-in default value ${exec_prefix}/lib/gimp/2.0.

gimp_sysconf_dir

Path to configuration files, which is set to the value of the environment variable GIMP2_SYSCONFDIR or to the compiled-in default value /etc/gimp/2.0.

/etc/gimp/2.0/gimprc

System-wide configuration file

$HOME/.gimp-2.2/gimprc

Per-user configuration file

gimp(1), gimptool(1), gimp-remote(1)