Effectively Open and Edit RAW Files in GIMP 2.10

Do you want to work with GIMP on RAW images? Starting from GIMP 2.10, that is finally possible! However, to open and edit RAW files, you will need an additional free plugin. In this guide, you will learn how to download, install, and use the plugin to effectively edit your RAW images in GIMP. Let's get started!

Main Insights

• The open-source tool GIMP does not support RAW images directly, but you can work with a plugin like Darktable or RAWTherapee.
• You can download Darktable directly from the official website.
• After installing the plugin, you can open and edit RAW files in GIMP.
• The editing takes place in Darktable, and the result is then displayed in GIMP.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Installing the Required Plugin

You need to install the appropriate plugin first in order to open RAW files in GIMP. There are two common plugins: Darktable and RAWTherapee. In this tutorial, we will focus on Darktable.

Go to darktable.org and click on "Install" in the menu. Here, you can choose which version of Darktable to download, depending on your operating system.

2. Selecting the Download Version

You will see various options for different operating systems, including Linux, Mac, and Windows. If you are using Windows, click on the Windows icon to select the appropriate version.

3. Downloading the Installer

After clicking, you will receive a link to download the setup file. Click on this link to download the installer.

4. Installing the Plugin

Double-click on the downloaded file to start the installation. Follow the instructions of the installation wizard. The plugin will automatically integrate into GIMP, allowing you to edit RAW files directly in GIMP from now on.

5. Opening RAW Files in GIMP

Once you have installed Darktable, you can open GIMP and import a RAW file. You can do this either by dragging and dropping it via Windows Explorer or by going to the "File" menu and then "Open."

6. Selecting the RAW File Format

In the open dialog, select a RAW file. Darktable supports various formats such as DNG or NEF. Choose a file format and click "Open."

7. Editing the RAW File in Darktable

The RAW file is not opened directly in GIMP, but in Darktable, a separate software specialized in editing RAW images. Here you can make all the common adjustments you would expect from a typical RAW converter.

8. Using the Editing Functions in Darktable

Darktable offers extensive functionalities: You can adjust exposure, change white balance, and edit the image as desired. There are different categories like Base Group, Brightness Group, Color Group, Correction Group, and Effect Group that assist you in editing.

9. Completing the Editing

When you finish editing, close Darktable. Your edited image will automatically open in GIMP. Note that the editing is destructive, meaning you cannot reopen the image in the RAW converter for further adjustments. It will be displayed as a regular image layer in the layer palette.

Summary – Opening and Editing RAW Files in GIMP 2.10

In summary, with the correct installation and editing of plugins like Darktable, you can easily open and edit RAW files in GIMP 2.10. You now have the basics to effectively edit your RAW images in GIMP.