Free, cross-platform photo editing shortcuts and concepts, plus the workflow differences worth knowing if you're coming from Photoshop.
GIMP uses the same Ctrl-based shortcuts on Windows and Linux; the native macOS build supports ⌘ equivalents for most of them.
| Category | Action | macOS | Windows / Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tools | Move tool | M | M |
| Tools | Rectangle Select | R | R |
| Tools | Ellipse Select | E | E |
| Tools | Free Select (Lasso) | F | F |
| Tools | Fuzzy Select (magic wand) | U | U |
| Tools | Crop tool | ⇧C | Shift+C |
| Painting | Paintbrush tool | P | P |
| Painting | Pencil tool | N | N |
| Painting | Eraser tool | ⇧E | Shift+E |
| Painting | Bucket Fill | ⇧B | Shift+B |
| Painting | Gradient tool | G | G |
| Retouch | Clone tool | C | C |
| Color | Color Picker tool | O | O |
| Content | Text tool | T | T |
| Layers | New layer | ⇧⌘N | Shift+Ctrl+N |
| Layers | Duplicate layer | ⇧⌘D | Shift+Ctrl+D |
| Layers | Merge down | ⌘M | Ctrl+M |
| Selection | Select All / None | ⌘A / ⇧⌘A | Ctrl+A / Shift+Ctrl+A |
| Selection | Invert selection | ⌘I | Ctrl+I |
| Adjustments | Levels | ⌘L | Ctrl+L |
| History | Undo / Redo | ⌘Z / ⌘Y | Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y |
| View | Fit image in window | ⇧⌘J | Shift+Ctrl+J |
| View | Zoom 1:1 | 1 | 1 |
| File | New image | ⌘N | Ctrl+N |
| File | Save (native .xcf) | ⌘S | Ctrl+S |
| File | Export As (PNG/JPG/etc.) | ⇧⌘E | Shift+Ctrl+E |
Core Concepts
.xcf is the native format
GIMP's own project format preserves layers, channels, paths, and history — export to PNG/JPG/TIFF only for the final flattened output, not for ongoing edits.
Layer Masks
Same concept as Photoshop — attach a grayscale mask to a layer and paint black/white to hide/reveal, non-destructively.
Script-Fu / Python-Fu Console
Filters → Script-Fu → Console opens a Scheme REPL for scripting repetitive edits or batch-processing a folder of images headlessly via the command line.
GEGL Operations
GIMP's modern image-processing engine (2.10+) — powers non-destructive-capable filters and higher bit-depth editing than older GIMP versions supported.
Essential Dockable Dialogs
Layers
Undo History
Brushes
Channels
Switch to Single-Window Mode first
Windows → Single-Window Mode docks every panel into one frame — GIMP defaults to separate floating windows, which feels unfamiliar coming from other editors.
Layer Masks work the same way
Right-click a layer → Add Layer Mask, then paint black/white exactly like Photoshop's masking model.
Remember to Export, not just Save
Ctrl/Cmd+S saves a .xcf project file — getting a PNG/JPG out requires File → Export As (or Overwrite, once exported once) as a separate step.
Plug-ins extend format/filter support
G'MIC and other community plug-in packs add filters and format support (like broader RAW/PSD compatibility) beyond what ships by default.
Quick Tips
gimp -i -b '(script...)' -b '(gimp-quit 0)' runs a Script-Fu batch job with no GUI — useful for resizing/converting a whole folder unattended.