05 Jun 2009 07:00 PM, by redforce (Richard H.)

Installing Python for GIMP 2.6 (Windows)

Today, most GIMP scripts/helpers/extensions are written using Python instead of the outdated SCHEME (known as Script-Fu). This allows a lot of great possibilities, but at the moment the installation of GIMP-Python for Windows requires a few steps. I will try to explain them in this article.

This article has been written using GIMP 2.6. It's divided into 8 steps and takes about 10 min to complete for an average user. 14575 times read so far. Category: Scripts & programming, required skill: 1 of 5

31 comments have been posted so far.

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Python für GIMP 2.6 (Windows) installieren (de)

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1
Before you install Python scripts and wonder why they don't work, make sure that your GIMP installation contains Python support.

You can determine this by looking into the "Filters" menu. If there's a entry named "Python-Fu" next to "Script-Fu", Python support is available.

On the screenshot, you can see a German GIMP installation without Python support (no Python-Fu menu entry next to Script-Fu).

This tutorial will cover the situation that GIMP for Windows is already installed and the missing Python support shall be added.

Click to enlarge
2
Python is a programming language (scripting language) that is not shipped with GIMP, but can be downloaded separately. GIMP access to an installed Python interpreter and makes use of it.

If Python is not available at the time of installing GIMP, the required Python support module for GIMP won't be installed (see screenshot: it shows a GIMP installation window in custom mode, the "GIMP Python Extension" checbkox is disabled because Python is not available).

As a consequence, you will have to install the necessary GIMP modules after installing Python, too!

Click to enlarge
3
Download these components:
Python (I prefer the Windows Installer package), PyCairo, PyGObject, PyGtk

In contrast to the instructions on the PyGtk Web site you don't have download the Gtk+ runtime (don't confuse it with PyGtk) separately because GIMP already comes with a Gtk library.
4
At first, install Python ...

Click to enlarge
5
... then PyCairo, PyGtk, PyGObject.

Click to enlarge
6
As explained above, you have to install GIMP's Python support now. The easiest way to do so is to re-install GIMP (in my test, preliminary uninstall was not required).

If you chose the customized setup (not required), you can see that the "GIMP Python Extension" will be installed now.

Click to enlarge
7
Python support is now available in GIMP. Check by verifying that the Python-Fu menu is now available (see screenshot).

Click to enlarge
8
Python plugins must be stored in the .gimp-2.6/plug-ins directory of the user's home folder. As soon as you restart GIMP, the plugins should be available. On the screenshot you can see the directory of "user1" where the Python-Fu plugins have to be stored.

Click to enlarge

This article is licensed under the following license: Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Austria

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http://www.gimpusers.de/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html 1 rating(s) with 5.0 of 5 stars in average

http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Fri 05 Jun 2009 09:22:39 PM CEST Alec_Burgess, 05 Jun 2009 09:22 PM

you say: > Python plugins must be stored in the .gimp-2.6/plug-ins directory of the user's home folder.

Actually, this target location is controlled by values entered in Edit-Preferences-Folders-Plugins. (stored in gimprc file)

Note that where GIMP looks to find the gimprc file is controlled by Environment variable GIMP2_DIRECTORY

A couple of reasons for possibly wanting to use either of both the above mechanisms to control where GIMP finds the bits and pieces it uses to run ...

(1) if you add lots of brushes, palettes, scripts, plugins etc to "pimp your gimp" it can get very confusing figuring out what was added and for what reasons if its all stored together in a mish-mosh.

(2) Gimp 2.7 is on the horizon (some windows versions have been released) and hopefully 2.8 will not be that far off. If using standard locations the installer for the new version *should* upgrade (by copying from (say) C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp-2.4 to
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp-2.6 and (eventually) to
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp-2.8

In past transitions 2.3 --> 2.4 --> 2.5 --> 2.6 sometimes thinks have gotten screwed up. As well if you temporarily want to have access (have both installed) to both previous and latest GIMP versions and add new scripts, plugins, brushes etc they have to be done in two places.

Using above setups all the bits and pieces can be used as is with current and future versions.
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Thu 11 Jun 2009 08:16:34 PM CEST christopher, 11 Jun 2009 08:16 PM

excellent tutorial! it is very important to have such tutorials on the big GIMP sites. thanks for posting. works like a charm
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sun 14 Jun 2009 04:32:15 AM CEST Nyner, 14 Jun 2009 04:32 AM

I placed the Python folder in the plug in folder inside of gimp, but it is not working. It does not show up in the drop down menu. What am I doing wrong?
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sun 14 Jun 2009 02:09:22 PM CEST redforce, 14 Jun 2009 02:09 PM

What do you mean, you placed the Python folder in the plug in folder? Which of the steps above does not work?
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Thu 09 Jul 2009 02:15:37 PM CEST help please, 09 Jul 2009 02:15 PM

I installed everything and when I reinstalled GIMP it had the python check box like it should (and it was checked), but there is no python in the drop down.

I uninstalled gimp and did a re-install and the check was there, but again still no python in the drop down.

I need help, all I wanted to do was use GIMP Brush Manager.
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Fri 10 Jul 2009 09:08:50 PM CEST Rachel, 10 Jul 2009 09:08 PM

Did as instructed.

I installed Python 2.6, then installed GTK bundle and PyGTK. Then when I went install GIMP, the Python extensions was available.

Left it checked and went through the install. Started up GIMP but Python is still not available to me. So what do I do?
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Fri 10 Jul 2009 11:41:08 PM CEST GIMPPythonHelperClass, 10 Jul 2009 11:41 PM

did you copy a .py file (a plugin) into the plugins directory of GIMP?
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sun 19 Jul 2009 06:48:23 AM CEST help please, 19 Jul 2009 06:48 AM

where do I find/get this .py file?
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Wed 22 Jul 2009 09:58:49 PM CEST Rachel, 22 Jul 2009 09:58 PM

@GIMPPythonHelperClass
Yes, and it didn't work...

I looked for the script everywhere and I didn't see anything on the menus that said Python...
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Thu 30 Jul 2009 12:03:59 PM CEST 14mRh4X0r, 30 Jul 2009 12:03 PM

I have just installed python, pycairo, pygobject and pygtk, but the python module install option is still disabled... Could that be because i installed python to myself instead of all users?
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Thu 30 Jul 2009 02:04:40 PM CEST 14mRh4X0r, 30 Jul 2009 02:04 PM

I removed python and installed it again for all users, and now it works. May a point worth to mention in your tutorial. It wasn't necessary to reinstall pycairo, pygtk or pygobject.
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Mon 03 Aug 2009 11:24:45 PM CEST jolie, 03 Aug 2009 11:24 PM

Thanks. Works like a charm. Finally got my layer effects with preview.
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sun 09 Aug 2009 04:07:12 PM CEST len, 09 Aug 2009 04:07 PM

Thanks! Worked for me on 2.6.6
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Wed 19 Aug 2009 03:43:31 AM CEST mahvin, 19 Aug 2009 03:43 AM

Works great! Thanks Richard!
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Wed 09 Sep 2009 02:09:18 PM CEST dsgsdgsgsqg, 09 Sep 2009 02:09 PM

Quote:
"C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp-2.4 to
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp-2.6 and (eventually) to
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp-2.8

In past transitions 2.3 --> 2.4 --> 2.5 --> 2.6 sometimes thinks have gotten screwed up. As well if you temporarily want to have access (have both installed) to both previous and latest GIMP versions and add new scripts, plugins, brushes etc they have to be done in two places."

It would be better to have a more robust folder system, because some stuff are compatible with a certain version of Gimp.
Something like:

C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp2\2.4\
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp2\2.6\
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.gimp2\2.8\

Would be more robust, and it would easier to track down migrations from one version to another.
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Wed 09 Sep 2009 02:14:43 PM CEST dertyeye, 09 Sep 2009 02:14 PM

For using this in a good way.
The different gimp applications should be able to pick a folder, and it should be editable in the preferences for each Gimp.
A user could during installation of Gimp 2.8, choose to create a new folder, use it and migrate everything from the previous version.
Create a new folder, use this and leave it empty.
Create a new folder but use the previous version folder.
(This can be handy for checking compatibility, this should be default.)
Create a new folder but use the previous version folder and migrate everything to the new folder.

These settings should be set seperatelly in the installer.
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sat 12 Sep 2009 04:50:14 PM CEST EdG, 12 Sep 2009 04:50 PM

I have tried the above, gotten the latest Python windows intaller (which ONLY installs for All Users), then re-installed Gimp 2.6.7.

Still in the customized route you see the Python module checkbox is disabled.
Once I finish I verify, No Python fu in the drop down menu.

Using XP. Cannot imagine how this as gone perfectly for others.

Any suggestions or troubleshoot questions?

Thanks, Ed
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sun 13 Sep 2009 12:38:38 PM CEST Alec Burgess, 13 Sep 2009 12:38 PM

Ed: Its not clear from your problem statement ...
Did you follow step 3?
=====
Download these components:
Python (I prefer the Windows Installer package), PyCairo, PyGObject, PyGtk

ie. PyCairo, PyGObject and PyGTK have to be d/l'd and installed separately after installing Python itself. After that redo the install of GIMP. Hopefully everything will be well after that :-)
======
Regards ... Alec
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sun 13 Sep 2009 10:27:32 PM CEST EdG, 13 Sep 2009 10:27 PM

Alec,

Thanks much for a response.

I will be trying this, my internet connection is having a bad hair day, so it might not be until I can get a new antennae in three days.

Will get back THANK YOU.
Regards, Ed
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sun 13 Sep 2009 10:54:50 PM CEST EdG, 13 Sep 2009 10:54 PM

Ok,
Miraculously I was able to download And install.
Your were right, life is good.
I now see Python Fu in Filters.
Thanks a lot
Best Regards,
Ed
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Wed 14 Oct 2009 04:00:05 PM CEST Chris Bloom, 14 Oct 2009 04:00 PM

Install Python using the For All Users option, otherwise the GIMP installer won't enable the Python Extension option!!!
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Thu 15 Oct 2009 11:20:10 PM CEST EdG, 15 Oct 2009 11:20 PM

Chris,
Thanks,the current Python install only allows the All users install.
My problem was (See Alec's advice):
"PyCairo, PyGObject and PyGTK have to be d/l'd and installed separately after installing Python itself."

I had not installed the above three, after installing Python (because I cannot read directions).

Hopefully others will read all this and profit.

Thanks Chris,
Ed
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Wed 21 Oct 2009 09:41:50 AM CEST brainjam, 21 Oct 2009 09:41 AM

Thanks a lot for the fine tutorial!
But please mention that Python must be installed for all users ...
That really did the trick for me, too.
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Fri 30 Oct 2009 11:20:53 PM CET CAROLINE, 30 Oct 2009 11:20 PM

I have installed the latest Python and now I am trying to install the other three in step 3, but it won't let me. It tells me it needs Python 2.5 which is not in the registry. I checked the regedit and it seems to be there, so now I'm stumped!
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Sat 31 Oct 2009 02:50:39 AM CET EdG, 31 Oct 2009 02:50 AM

Uninstall Gimp and uninstall Python the re-install Python for All Users and then the other three. Then re-install Gimp.

Only suggestion I have. If it does not work,
I would post the version of Python and the source of the installer, and the version of Gimp and maybe someone will have a suggestion.

.. Ede
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Tue 08 Dec 2009 06:45:47 AM CET Albert, 08 Dec 2009 06:45 AM

this don'twork! i have the same problem as CAROLINE and I am trying hard but nothing happen
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Tue 08 Dec 2009 04:49:17 PM CET Raskie, 08 Dec 2009 04:49 PM

A lateral thought. Assuming I get this to work, will I be able to install .py files, without having to turn them into .exes first?
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Thu 17 Dec 2009 08:27:51 AM CET bocz, 17 Dec 2009 08:27 AM

GooD!
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Mon 18 Jan 2010 03:35:52 AM CET steve sexauer, 18 Jan 2010 03:35 AM

worked great thanks... now to learn python...
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Fri 19 Feb 2010 07:00:37 AM CET Alanp, 19 Feb 2010 07:00 AM

"Restore" magically appeared on my GIMP menu (after a lot of trial & error!).

Can anyone offer a procedure for using it - e.g. does one open a file and import a photo before clicking on "Restore"? Then what? No reduction in blue seemed to happen when I tried this. Any advice would be welcome.

Alan

Click to enlarge
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows.html Thu 11 Mar 2010 07:35:31 PM CET Jon, 11 Mar 2010 07:35 PM

Is anyone running GIMP & Python in Windows 7?
I'm thinking of upgrading, & trying to find out what will & won't run natively.

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Installing Python for GIMP 2.6 (Windows)

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