A few days ago I realised I hadn’t reconfigured my GIMP app since reinstalling my system. And as I was adding and installing the extras to GIMP, I remembered that it was pretty confusing the first time I tried to figure this out. So here’s a quick post on how to install brushes, scripts and presets in GIMP if you are using OS X.
Where to download Scripts for GIMP
You can download scripts all over the internet but this is a pretty good starting point:
http://registry.gimp.org/taxonomy/term/20
Where to download Brushes for GIMP
You can download brushes all over the internet too, but I recommend DeviantArt:
http://www.deviantart.com/?q=brushes
Remember, you can use Photoshop brushes (.abr) as well as Gimp brushes (.gbr). This is the beauty of GIMP. They install in exactly the same way with no hassle involved.
How to add Brushes to GIMP
You can add all your brushes manually while GIMP is running. I never do this as I have lots of brushes and it is extremely time consuming. So I install them directly to the application so that they are automatically picked up when GIMP loads. This is very easy.
1.) Go to your home folder and from there:
User Home > Library > Application Support
2.) Scroll down until you find GIMP and open the folder.
3.) Locate your brushes folder. If you don’t have one just create a new folder called “brushes”.
4.) Drop all of your brushes whether they be .abr or .gbr straight into the folder.
5.) Now start GIMP and you should see ALL your brushes in the brushes tab. Hooray!
NOTE: To open this brush window go to
Windows > Dockable Dialogues > Brushes
How to add Scripts to GIMP
Scripts are the files with the extension .scm. These need to be added to the scripts folder in the same place as your brushes folder. So:
User Home > Library > Application Support > Gimp > Scripts
Again, if for whatever reason you don’t find this folder, simply create a folder called “scripts” in this location. Drop your .scm files in.
Gimpressionist: How to add Presets to GIMP
Quite often you need to have both the script and the preset installed in order to create effects. In any case, presets are just as easy to install.
Presets are the files with the extension .txt which you will find often have a script counterpart.
In this case the scripts (.scm) need to be added to the scripts folder as above, and the presets need to be added to the presets folder in Gimpressionist. So once again:
1.) Go to your GIMP folder:
User Home > Library > Application Support > Gimp
2.) Scroll down till you locate your Gimpressionist folder. As usual, if for whatever reason you don’t find this folder, simply create a folder called “gimpressionist” in this location.
Your Gimpressionist folder should contain 3 folders:
– Brushes
– Paper
– Presets
3.) Open the Presets folder and drop your .txt files in.
And Finally…
Once you have finished installing all your scripts and presets start GIMP. You should find that, depending on what you installed, you will have one or more new drop-down menus in the toolbar, like this:
and this:
All those lovely new effects for free! Oh the joys of freeware! Eat your heart out Photoshop. Enjoy (^-^)
