Editing GIMP (section)

=== GEGL ===
The ''[[GEGL|Generic Graphics Library]]'' (''GEGL'') was first introduced in GIMP 2.6 to improve how the software processes images.  Initially GIMP used GEGL for high bit-depth colour operations, helping reduce data loss when adjusting colours.<ref>{{cite web |title=GIMP 2.6 Release Notes |url=http://gimp.org/release-notes/gimp-2.6.html |website=Gimp.org |access-date=2 July 2009 |archive-date=7 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007191623/http://www.gimp.org/release-notes/gimp-2.6.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

GIMP 2.8 was limited to 8-bit color, which is much lower than the 12-bit or higher depth that most digital cameras produce. GIMP 2.10 introduced full support for high bit-depth color, and hardware acceleration was enabled through OpenCL for some tasks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hacking:Porting Filters to GEGL |publisher=The GIMP Project |url=http://wiki.gimp.org/wiki/Hacking:Porting_filters_to_GEGL |website=Wiki.Gimp.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205071048/http://wiki.gimp.org/wiki/Hacking:Porting_filters_to_GEGL |archive-date=5 February 2022 |access-date=12 April 2023 }}</ref>

GIMP 3.0 introduces non-destructive filters, allowing users to apply effects without permanently changing the original image. This means they can be edited, toggled on or off, or removed after being applied. Third-party filters are also supported, though they will not be retained if the necessary plugins are missing.<ref>{{cite web |title=GIMP 3.0 Release Notes |url=https://www.gimp.org/release-notes/gimp-3.0.html#non-destructive-layer-effects |website=GIMP |publisher=GIMP Development Team |date=16 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref>