GIMP Moves Toward Zip-XML Project Format to Replace XCF
GIMP is developing a new zip-XML project file format for future releases (GIMP 3.x) to replace XCF after nearly 30 years, aiming for faster file operations, auto-saving, and better handling of large or multi-page projects, while keeping backward compatibility with XCF. The update also notes improvements in brushes, non-destructive filters, PSD support, and a native file chooser, with animation features in 3.6 enhanced by the new format.