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Ubuntu comes with two versions of GIMP (as many other software for that matter. Snap will install 3.0.0 and apt uses 2.10.36. I thought 3.0.0 would be better, but it cannot open HEIF files, while apt's version can. I guess it it related to dependencies, but still. I'd like the bells and whistles of the 3.0.0 but alas, I am stuck with 2.10.36 for now.

Is there a way to open HEIF files in 3.0.0?

NotTheDr01ds
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pieroxy
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  • Based on the snapcraft.yaml file, the snap version includes the file libheif1, which is the library required to open HEIF files. However, of course there is a chance that something went wrong building the snap or something is wrong with included lib. You may want to report this issue to the people building and providing the snap: Link to Issue Tracker at Github. – noisefloor Mar 30 '25 at 17:57
  • FYI there is a fix incoming: https://github.com/snapcrafters/gimp/issues/390 – pieroxy Apr 03 '25 at 13:59

4 Answers4

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If the apt version does not meet your requirements, then I'd recommend the AppImage version (3.0.2 at this writing, "Current Stable Version" as of March 23).

My very personal opinion is that AppImages are to be preferred over anything Snap; as they generally are better behaved than Snap.

NotTheDr01ds
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Hannu
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Gimp 3.0.0 supports HEIF.

Check that in the standard plugin directory (so, probably in the virtual FS of the Snap) there is a /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/gimp/3.0/plug-ins/file-heif/file-heif executable. Your system should of course also have the library /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libheif.so.1

In practice, Gimp3 is still pretty much in a state of flux and I would expect at least monthly updates for still quite some time, which is much faster than what you'll get from Canonical (if any...). So if you want an up-to-date ".deb" Gimp3 you can install from a PPA such as this one.

xenoid
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Edit: It's an issue with the snap. From the comments it already has a fix that should be rolled out in a few days.

I have the same issue with GIMP 3.0.

Looking in Edit->Preferences->Folders->Plugins lists two directories.

~/snap/gimp/502/.config/GIMP/3.0/plug-ins is empty

/snap/gimp/502/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/gimp/3.0/plug-ins has a lot of content including executables starting with file-* but no file-heif

The github for file-heif says it’s part of GIMP v2.10 so shouldn't need to be installed. Looks like an issue with the GIMP snap.

GIMP 3.0 issue and you should report it as a bug. I will when I get a moment.

I hope that helps

Montecristo
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  • I see the GIMP snap was updated today but sadly, I still get the same error: cannot open due to unknown filetype. Looking at the github page in the link above, a fix is on the way – Montecristo Apr 10 '25 at 17:14
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The issue is now fixed, cf https://github.com/snapcrafters/gimp/issues/390

Gimp 3 from snap can open HEIF files.

pieroxy
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