- PhotoGIMP is an open source patch that adapts GIMP 3.0+ to visually resemble Adobe Photoshop.
- The patch reorganizes tools, panels, and shortcuts, while keeping all of GIMP's native functions intact.
- The installation is based on copying the appropriate configuration folder on Windows, macOS, and Linux after making a backup.
- It allows for a smoother transition from Photoshop to GIMP without losing performance or fluidity in daily work.
If you use GIMP but are coming from Photoshop, you've probably noticed that the interface and workflow are quite different . Shortcuts don't work the same way, tools are in different places, menus are hard to find… and in the end, you waste time and patience. Luckily, there's a very polished solution to make GIMP look and feel much like Photoshop without paying a single penny extra.
That solution is PhotoGIMP, a customization patch for GIMP 3.0 and later that adapts the tool layout, keyboard shortcuts, start screen, and various visual details to resemble the classic Adobe environment. Below, you'll see, step by step, exactly what PhotoGIMP is, what changes within GIMP, what you need to install it, and how to apply the patch on both Windows and macOS (and also on Linux, if you're interested in having it on multiple systems).
What is PhotoGIMP and what does it offer over "pure" GIMP?
PhotoGIMP is essentially an open-source patch created by the Brazilian blog Diolinux that transforms the GIMP interface to closely resemble Adobe Photoshop. It doesn't add a new program or change the editing engine; instead, it reorganizes, reconfigures, and replaces certain GIMP 3.0+ configuration files to give it a look and feel very similar to Adobe's editor.
On a practical level, PhotoGIMP is designed for people who are already proficient in Photoshop and want to migrate to a free alternative without sacrificing productivity . By maintaining almost the same tool positions and keyboard shortcuts as in Photoshop, the learning curve is significantly reduced: you don't have to completely reinvent the wheel with every basic function, because everything feels very familiar from the first launch after applying the patch.
According to the project itself, the patch focuses on appearance, layout, and shortcuts , not on replicating Photoshop's internal functions. GIMP remains GIMP: all its features, native filters, plugin compatibility, scripts, and extensions remain intact. The magic of PhotoGIMP lies in making that power of GIMP much more user-friendly for those coming from the Adobe ecosystem.
One of the key features of the patch is the reorganization of the toolbox and side panels. With PhotoGIMP, the toolbars, layers, properties, and adjustments panels are repositioned to mimic Photoshop's layout . If you're used to finding layers on the right, the toolbar on the left, and certain panels in specific locations, you'll feel right at home almost instantly.
Another key visual improvement is the custom splash screen. PhotoGIMP includes a new splash screen that replaces the original GIMP loading screen , featuring a design unique to the project. This detail is purely aesthetic, but it reinforces the feeling of using a sort of "Photoshop-style GIMP" from the moment you open the application.
Main functions of the PhotoGIMP patch
The heart of PhotoGIMP lies in a series of tweaks that make it a working environment much closer to Photoshop. Beyond the visual changes, the patch introduces a combination of settings, fonts, icons, and shortcuts that significantly alter the daily user experience.
Regarding the workspace, PhotoGIMP includes a default configuration designed to maximize the canvas area . This means fewer distractions, better-fitted panels, and smarter screen usage—very useful if you work with laptop monitors or lower resolutions. In practical terms, you have more space for the image and less visual noise.
One of the most noticeable differences for those coming from Photoshop is the keyboard shortcuts. This patch adjusts GIMP's shortcuts on Windows to follow, as closely as possible, Adobe's official documentation . This includes common combinations like Ctrl + T to transform or Ctrl + D to deselect or duplicate depending on the context , along with other recognizable Photoshop patterns. The idea is that your fingers will perform the same actions as always, but within GIMP.
In the early versions of the project, geared towards GIMP 2.10, PhotoGIMP also included the installation of a large font package and the activation of filters like "Heal Selection" to further bring the available tools closer to the set many users associate with Photoshop. Although the current focus of the patch is on GIMP 3.0 and later, the philosophy remains the same: to make the environment as complete and familiar as possible.
Furthermore, PhotoGIMP modifies the application name and icon via a custom .desktop file in supported environments . This adjustment is more relevant in Linux (due to the use of .desktop launchers), but it also helps the program appear graphically as a "PhotoGIMP" variant in application menus, with its updated icon and distinct visual identity.
It's important to note that the project is published as open source on GitHub, in the official Diolinux repository . From there you can download the updated package, review operating system-specific instructions, check version changes, and even contribute or review the configuration files to understand exactly what's being modified within GIMP.
Prerequisites and recommendations before installing PhotoGIMP
Before you start copying files and pasting folders, it's important to understand the basic requirements. First, you need to have GIMP version 3.0 or higher installed from its official website (on Windows and macOS) or from Flathub or other repositories (on Linux). PhotoGIMP is specifically designed for this branch of GIMP, so working with older versions may cause conflicts or simply not work as expected.
One step that many users overlook, but which the project itself emphasizes, is to open GIMP once after installation and then close it immediately . This simple action allows GIMP to create its configuration folders on your system for the first time (in AppData on Windows, Library/Application Support on macOS, or ~/.config on Linux). Without these generated directories, you won't have anywhere to place the patch files.
Another crucial recommendation is to back up your current GIMP configuration . On Windows, simply copy the "3.0" folder located in %APPDATA%\GIMP to another secure location (such as your Desktop or a backup folder). On macOS, you can back up the entire ~/Library/Application Support/GIMP directory , or, if you prefer a more selective approach, the specific "3.0" folder that PhotoGIMP will replace or merge.
If you're coming from an older GIMP 2.10 installation, especially on macOS, you should check if you still have old configuration folders, such as the 2.10 folder . The project itself recommends deleting this 2.10 folder on Mac to avoid overlaps and strange issues with legacy preferences. By clearing this configuration, you ensure that GIMP 3.0 and PhotoGIMP work on a more consistent and modern foundation.
Finally, remember that the entire process must be done with GIMP completely closed . Simply minimizing the window is not enough: make sure the application is not running in the background. On some systems, especially macOS, it's best to exit from the application menu (GIMP > Quit or Quit GIMP) to ensure no active processes remain that could block configuration files during the copy.
How to install PhotoGIMP on Windows step by step
On Windows, the current procedure for applying PhotoGIMP to GIMP 3.0 is quite straightforward, and no longer requires navigating through endless chains of subfolders as was the case with versions designed for GIMP 2.10. Even so, it is important to follow the sequence in order and respect the configuration paths so that the patch takes effect from the first launch.
First, make sure you have GIMP installed from the official website and that you've opened and closed it at least once, as mentioned in the requirements section. Once you've verified this, go to the PhotoGIMP repository on GitHub (the Diolinux project) and download the compressed file, usually named something like PhotoGIMP.zip . Save this ZIP file in a folder where you can easily find it.
The next step is to extract the PhotoGIMP.zip file to a temporary location , such as your Desktop or Downloads folder. After extraction, you will see a directory structure containing a key folder called “3.0”. This folder contains the configuration that will replace (or supplement) the one you already have in your GIMP user profile.
Once you've located the "3.0" folder, copy it completely. Now press the Windows key and, without releasing it, press Press R to open the Run dialog boxIn the window that opens, type %APPDATA%\GIMP and press Enter. The GIMP configuration path corresponding to your Windows user will open in the file explorer.
Inside that GIMP folder, you should see a "3.0" folder already created by the program itself. This is where PhotoGIMP comes in: paste the "3.0" folder you copied from the ZIP file . Windows will ask if you want to replace or merge the existing files. You must select the option that allows replacing the files in the destination (or equivalent), so that PhotoGIMP's settings overwrite the default configuration.
Once the copy is complete, simply open GIMP again and check the changes . Upon launching, you should see PhotoGIMP's new custom splash screen. When the interface loads, you'll notice that the side panels, toolbars, and menus have changed position and even appearance, mimicking the typical Photoshop layout. Shortcuts like Ctrl+T, Ctrl+D, and other quick access keys will be adjusted to Adobe's behavior whenever possible.
If you want to take it a step further, the project suggests the possibility of also changing the GIMP shortcut icon to a specific PhotoGIMP icon . To do this, you can download the photogimp.ico file (when it becomes available in the repository) and edit the shortcut located at %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\GIMP 3.0.0 , selecting the new icon in the shortcut's properties. This step is optional and purely aesthetic.
Installing PhotoGIMP on macOS: folder path and correct copy
On macOS, the PhotoGIMP installation process is very similar to that on Windows, with the main difference being the path to the configuration folders and how to access them from Finder . If you follow the steps carefully, you'll have your GIMP, with its Photoshop-like appearance, on your Mac in just a few minutes.
First, make sure you've downloaded and installed GIMP from its official website and that you've opened the application at least once and then closed it. This step is crucial for the system to create the support folder in Library . Next, visit the PhotoGIMP repository on GitHub and download the patch ZIP file, just as you would for Windows.
Once you have the ZIP file, extract it to a folder of your choice (for example, Downloads or Documents). Within the resulting structure, you'll see a "3.0" folder, similar to Windows, containing the custom PhotoGIMP settings adapted for GIMP 3.0 on macOS. Copy this entire folder, as we'll need it in the next step.
To access the GIMP configuration path on macOS, open Finder and press the combination Cmd + Shift + G to bring up the "Go to Folder" window. In the text field, type ~/Library/Application Support/GIMP and press Enter. This will take you directly to the folder where GIMP stores its user settings.
Within that GIMP directory, you might find, in addition to the "3.0" folder, a "2.10" folder if you were working with an older version of GIMP . To avoid conflicts and unwanted legacy files, the PhotoGIMP project itself recommends completely deleting that 2.10 folder before proceeding. Once that's done, you're ready to paste the "3.0" patch folder.
Paste the "3.0" folder you copied from the ZIP file into ~/Library/Application Support/GIMP . The system will ask if you want to replace or merge the files . Choose the option that allows replacement or, failing that, a combination of "Replace/Merge" that ensures the PhotoGIMP files take precedence over the previous configuration.
After the copy is complete, open GIMP from your Applications folder. You should see PhotoGIMP's customized home screen , and once the interface loads, you'll see the reorganized panels and toolbars in a Photoshop style. Keyboard shortcuts and other visual settings will be adjusted to make the transition from Adobe as smooth as possible within the macOS environment.
Using PhotoGIMP on Linux and cross-system compatibility
Although this article focuses on Windows and macOS, the Diolinux project itself makes it clear that PhotoGIMP was born closely tied to the Linux ecosystem, especially through Flatpak . If you also work with GNU/Linux distributions, it's interesting to know how to apply the patch in this environment and how consistency is maintained across different operating systems.
On Linux, one of the most common methods is to install GIMP from Flathub using FlatpakOnce GIMP is installed, the same procedure is recommended as for other systems: open the program once, close it, and then download the PhotoGIMP ZIP file from GitHub. Inside the compressed file, you will find two particularly relevant folders: .config y .localwhich are the ones that contain the settings and resources that the patch needs to adapt GIMP.
The procedure described in the project consists of Extract the contents of the ZIP file directly into your user folder (your home), so that those folders .config y .local They will be merged with those already existing in the system. During the process, you will need to accept that the files will be overwritten when the file manager asks you to, thus ensuring that PhotoGIMP replaces GIMP's default settings with its own.
In some of the project's early guides, geared towards GIMP 2.10, the workflow was somewhat more complex: you had to follow a chain of subfolders associated with the GIMP Flatpak packageas the PhotoGIMP by Diolinux v2020 for Flatpak\.var\app\org.gimp.GIMP\config\GIMP\2.10\, and then copy the resulting content to C:\Usuarios\(tunombredeusuario)\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\2.10\ In the case of Windows. Today, with the adaptation to the 3.0 branch and the new official instructions for each system, the method has been greatly simplified.
One of PhotoGIMP's strengths is that, although it was designed with the Flatpak version in mind, It can be applied to virtually any GIMP package format provided you know which configuration folder to place the files in. This includes distributions that use their own repositories, Snap packages, or direct binaries. The trick is always to locate the GIMP preferences path (usually within ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 or similar) and copy the appropriate patch content there.
Thanks to this relatively flexible philosophy, it's possible to have a very similar PhotoGIMP experience across multiple operating systems simultaneously . If you work, for example, with Windows on your desktop and Linux or macOS on your laptop, you can maintain a high degree of consistency in the interface, shortcuts, and tool layout, making it much easier to switch between environments without having to retrain your habits.
And if at any point you decide you no longer want to use PhotoGIMP, reverting the changes is very simple: delete or replace the configuration folder you pasted (on Windows, the "3.0" folder inside %APPDATA%\GIMP; on macOS, the "3.0" folder in Library/Application Support/GIMP; on Linux, the affected folders in ~/.config and ~/.local) with the backup you created before installing the patch. Restarting GIMP will return you to the standard interface with no trace of PhotoGIMP.
PhotoGIMP has become one of the most highly recommended customizations for those who want to leverage the power and open-source nature of GIMP with the convenience of a Photoshop-like environment . With a little care in copying the correct folders and a prior backup of your settings, you can completely transform your workflow without touching a single paid license.