OpenOSX has announced the release of a preview version of Gimp 2.0 for Mac OS X. Not to be confused with the Unix based printing system GIMP, Gimp 2.0 is an open source based photo manipulation tool.
The Gimp project aims to bring high-end photo manipulation tools to users without the high costs associated with commercial packages. The Gimp (as it is called in the Unix version) is available for a number of different platforms.
This, the latest release of Gimp for the Mac is based on the open source 1.3.23 version, which boasts a significant number of features.
G5 users will be happy to note that the application has been accelerated for that system. Gimp 2.0 now features vector paths, editable paths and text and more.
As a warning it should be noted that this release is based on pre-release software, but OpenOSX has performed “extensive testing [and] has determined the build is quite mature, very stable and useable.” The company still advises that the program is not to be used with mission-critical data.
The OpenOSX Gimp 2.0 Preview 1 product is available immediately for US$30 on CD-ROM with download-only delivery available for $25. Upgrades from previous versions of the Gimp are $20 on CD-ROM and $15 for download. Book/software bundles are also available, as are CD based subscriptions.