The GNU Image Manipulation Program—better known as GIMP—has officially released version 3.0 as a release candidate—a very late beta—two decades after the last major update. The open-source image editor, often compared to Photoshop, introduces long-awaited features and updates aimed at keeping digital artists, photographers, and post-production professionals in the loop. Simplicity and stability are key here, but let’s see if GIMP 3.0 delivers on those fronts.

GTK3: New Looks, Same Roots

The biggest visible change: GIMP now runs on GTK3, a modern graphical toolkit that brings long-overdue improvements to the user interface. Menus look cleaner, icons sharper, and the overall design better fits modern operating systems. That applies across platforms too: Windows, macOS, and Linux users finally share a consistent experience. Of course, ‘consistent’ doesn’t mean revolutionary—expect the familiar GIMP aesthetic with subtle tweaks, not a complete redesign.

Non-Destructive Editing (Kind of)

Non-destructive editing has entered the chat—but cautiously. GIMP 3.0 now supports non-destructive workflows for adjustments like transforms, thanks to updated layer functions. It’s not fully node-based or adjustment-layer driven like Photoshop, but it’s progress. Artists can now tweak edits without permanently altering base pixels, saving headaches during complex edits.

Multi-threading: Faster and (Possibly) Smoother

Performance takes a leap forward with multi-threading support. Tasks like filters and layer operations can now utilize multiple CPU cores, offering a speed boost for heavier projects. While real-time graphics and VFX workflows may still lean on other tools, GIMP 3.0 becomes more viable for quick edits and asset adjustments without endless progress bars. However, the GPU remains unused, so don’t expect hardware acceleration to lighten the load just yet.

Color Management Gets Practical

For professionals, GIMP 3.0 doubles down on color management. It’s now baked into the workflow, ensuring color profiles (like sRGB or CMYK) are properly handled. That’s critical for anyone working across multiple screens or preparing images for print. HDR support is still missing, so you might want to temper expectations if you’re aiming for full-color workflows.

GIMP in the Modern Age?

So, has GIMP kept up with the times? Sort of. The open-source nature still appeals to artists avoiding subscription fees, but tools like Photoshop, Affinity Photo, and Krita maintain their edge for specific needs. Stability remains a priority—fact-check GIMP 3.0’s multi-threaded performance before relying on it for production-heavy edits.

GIMP 3.0 is free to download from the official GIMP website. Pricing remains unbeatable: zero. But as always, free tools come with trade-offs. For artists who want full non-destructive workflows or deep compositing features, GIMP may still feel like an intermediate step.

The post GIMP 3.0 Finally Lands: Has the Free Editor Aged Like Wine? first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Foundry has announced the end of life (EOL) for its 3D modeling software Modo, with license sales officially ending on December 31, 2024. But there’s a (very small) silver lining for long-term users: Foundry is offering a special 10-year free license to those holding perpetual licenses, extending Modo’s functionality well into the next decade. This move provides a cushion for Modo fans to maintain their familiar workflow while preparing for a longer-term migration.

How the 10-Year License Works

Perpetual license holders will be eligible for this unique 10-year extension, allowing access to Modo at no additional cost. For Modo users accustomed to its versatile 3D sculpting and animation features, this license extension may help maintain continuity, especially in studios that rely on established workflows and software compatibility. Active customers will continue to receive support until the end of their current contract. There will also be docs, learning content and support knowledge base available until November 2025.  Although no new features will be introduced, these updates aim to address minor bug fixes and compatibility issues to maintain stability. This additional support will ensure that users on the 10-year license can work with Modo in its current form with minimal disruptions during this adjustment phase.

Assessing Your Next Steps

For 3D artists and studios reliant on Modo’s specific capabilities, the free license buys crucial time to assess alternative tools in sculpting, rendering, and 3D modeling. Foundry’s extended license and migration support help to soften the impact of Modo’s EOL, ensuring that professionals can plan without immediate software shifts. For more details on the 10-year license and Modo’s EOL transition, see Foundry’s official announcement.

The post Foundry Offers 10-Year Free License for Modo: A Farewell Gift for Loyal Users first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Aaron Smith’s hPaint update takes something similar to Blender’s Grease Pencil in Houdini to new levels, supporting Houdini 20.5 with several fresh capabilities for streamlined, detail-rich annotations and drawings. Houdini users in VFX, real-time graphics, game development, and digital production can now leverage the 2D Grease Pencil as a more powerful tool for creative mark-ups, thanks to improvements like brush size and color management, layer controls, and real-time annotation tweaks within the Houdini viewport.

Grease Pencil for Houdini: HPaint
byu/jungleselecta inHoudini

Overview: What hPaint Brings to Houdini

With hPaint, the open-source Grease Pencil workflow has been simulated, allowing Houdini users to switch between technical drawing and real-time visualization within the same environment. Artists can apply these features for shot planning, rough storyboards, and live-action frame annotations, addressing the practical demand for efficient drawing capabilities directly in Houdini’s node-based setup.

• Brush Controls: The update includes brush size adjustments and refined color management to give users more control over how Grease Pencil annotations appear within scenes.
• Layer Management: The new layer functions mean artists can structure annotations without clutter, a bonus when working with complex scene compositions.
• Viewport Improvements: hPaint now offers more responsive updates in the Houdini viewport, creating a more intuitive experience for artists who need direct feedback while drawing.

Practical Use Cases

For Houdini users, these updates present possibilities for streamlined workflows. Grease Pencil in Blender has historically been useful for 2D mark-ups and reference sketches, and it’s cousin might do the same for Houdini users not working in Hand-drawn styles. Nothing beats a handwritten mark on an asset. “Get your shit together, pickles!” , or a friendlier “Nicely done.” Whatever your supervisor chooses for communication.

Stability, Price, and Availability

Although promising, any newly integrated tool, especially within complex software like Houdini, should be tested for stability in production pipelines before use. hPaint, being open-source, is freely available on GitHub, making it accessible to any Houdini user looking to expand their annotation toolkit without extra cost.

Fact-Check Note

Given the variety of workflows in production environments, professionals should evaluate hPaint’s stability and integration with their current Houdini setup, especially for projects demanding robust, interruption-free performance.

The post “Grease Pencil” hPaint for Houdini first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.