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title: G'mic 4.0: Squaring the Pixel, Easier | daily.dev
description: G'MIC 4.0 has been released, marking 18 years of the open-source digital image processing framework. The major release brings the G'MIC-Qt plugin to 644...
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og:title: G'mic 4.0: Squaring the Pixel, Easier | daily.dev
og:description: G'MIC 4.0 has been released, marking 18 years of the open-source digital image processing framework. The major release brings the G'MIC-Qt plugin to 644...
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# G'mic 4.0: Squaring the Pixel, Easier

**[Hacker News](https://daily.dev/sources/hn)** · 20 min read · 1 upvotes · 1 comments

## Summary

G'MIC 4.0 has been released, marking 18 years of the open-source digital image processing framework. The major release brings the G'MIC-Qt plugin to 644 filters, including new additions like Pixel Stretch, Gradients [Poles], Marker Drawing, Heightfield Warp, Offset Stripes, and a research-backed multi-method color transfer filter. Core language improvements include new commands for random patch generation (useful for CNN training), Hilbert curve rendering, PCA computation, and improved matrix operations. A new GitHub repository of interactive demos for science outreach events has been published. The release signals a shift toward stability and robustness over rapid feature additions, with the project now available on the Snap Store and easier to install on macOS via MacPorts.

## Full article

daily.dev links to this article rather than hosting it. Read it at the original source: <https://gmic.eu/gmic40>

## Questions this post answers

### What's new in G'MIC 4.0 compared to previous versions?

G'MIC 4.0 brings the G'MIC-Qt plugin's filter count to 644, adding new filters like Pixel Stretch, Gradients [Poles], Marker Drawing, Heightfield Warp, Offset Stripes, and Transfer Colors [Multi]. The core language also gained new commands including random_patches, shape_hilbert, pca, depthmap3d, and normalmap3d, plus improved matrix operations such as pivoted QR decomposition. The project now plans to slow its release pace to focus on stability and performance.

_Track major open-source image processing releases like this one on daily.dev._

### How does the G'MIC Transfer Colors Multi filter work for color transfer between two images?

The Transfer Colors [Multi] filter in G'MIC-Qt supports three color transfer methods: PCA-based, histogram matching, and a custom variational approach developed by GREYC IMAGE team researchers with INSA Rouen. It applies to two overlapping layers, transferring a style reference image's colors onto a source image while preserving original structures, and includes a semi-supervised mode for forcing specific color correspondences.

_Developers evaluating image processing algorithms can follow research-backed tools like this via daily.dev._

### How many daily downloads does the G'MIC-Qt plugin get and which image editors support it?

The G'MIC-Qt plugin averages over 1,200 daily downloads, a figure that has grown steadily over the past year, offering over 640 filters. It integrates into GIMP, Krita, digiKam, Paint.net, Adobe Photoshop, and Affinity Photo, and recently gained support via GEGL nodes, PhotoFlare integration, a Rust-based Affinity Photo plugin, and Snap Store distribution.

_Digital artists comparing image-editing plugin ecosystems can keep up with tools like this on daily.dev._

## Community discussion

Top comments from developers on daily.dev.

**@agustinbarrientos** · 0 upvotes

> Congrats on 18 years and 644 filters. That's a lot of work!

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---

Tags: [#open-source](https://daily.dev/tags/open-source), [#image-processing](https://daily.dev/tags/image-processing), [#creative-coding](https://daily.dev/tags/creative-coding)

[View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/g-mic-4-0-squaring-the-pixel-easier-mgrf1yp3w)

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