#674819 gimp: save/export distinction is a pointless inconvenience to users

Package:
gimp
Source:
gimp
Description:
GNU Image Manipulation Program
Submitter:
Eric Cooper
Date:
2025-12-24 12:23:02 UTC
Severity:
wishlist
Tags:
#674819#5
Date:
2012-05-27 23:35:17 UTC
From:
To:
Saving a file can now only be done in .xcf format, all others require
the use of the export dialog.  This is an annoying and unnecessary
distinction for users, and an inconsistent one too: you don't require
"import" for non-xcf files, you just convert them.  Please continue to
do the same upon saving.

For example, I opened a .jpg file, edited it, had to export it to save
it, and also had to dismiss the dialog claiming I had "unsaved
changes".  All in all, this is a regression from 2.6.
#674819#12
Date:
2012-10-25 07:40:46 UTC
From:
To:
I used gimp several times since the current release came out, but I still
find this export thing so annoying.  The worst is the final message about
"unsaved changes": it trains users to ignore such kind of message and
automatically "discard changes", risking to lose data if forgetting to
"export" before.

I understand that gimp developers want to push the gimp format, but this
export thing is definitely the wrong way to. And people around are not ready
to convert all their jpg collections anyway...

Of course all this has nothing to do with debian, but if enough such
complaints pass upstream, maybe the developers would think better for next
release.

Thanx!
		Nick
#674819#17
Date:
2012-11-16 09:36:17 UTC
From:
To:
Hi Ari!
  If one provides a patch, would you accept it for debian? Or does it
necessarily have to come from upstream?

Ciao,
  Alberto
#674819#22
Date:
2025-12-24 11:53:00 UTC
From:
To:
I concur with the request. In all the years (or even decades?) of using GIMP, I never experienced a need for .xcf files. If I wish to save full image information, I export to PNG. If I wish to continue editing later, I leave GIMP open and, if the computer is technically able to sleep/resume, put the computer into standby.
Specifically for my workflows so far, asking me whether I wish to leave changes unsaved when GIMP exits has been a waste and counterproductive; instead, GIMP should have asked me whether I had unexported changes. This risks discarding unexported changes.  Merging “export” and “save” would get rid of the issue.
#674819#27
Date:
2025-12-24 12:21:45 UTC
From:
To:
Correcting copy&paste and more thoughts:
Specifically for my workflows, asking me whether I wish to leave changes unsaved when GIMP exits is a waste and counterproductive: as I never save to XCF, this exit routine risks discarding unexported changes. Instead, upon exit, GIMP should first check whether there are unexported changes, and if there are, suggest that the user export them. Only after that, depending on the choice of the user and the presence/absence of unexported but potentially useful data, GIMP could decide to ask the user whether he/she would prefer to save to an XCF file. Merging “export” and “save” could get rid or at least alleviate the issue.