GIMP Version: 2.8.0
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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I would like to set up brushes in Gimp 2.8.0. Previously I used Gimp 2.6, and the brush interface has changed substantially since then. I looked for documentation on the changes in several places and found the brush dynamics gui implementation project in the google summer of code, but I don't find any user documentation explaining how to set up brushes nor what all the parameters are and how they affect the brush. I know I could spend 70 or 80 hours experimenting with the new parameters to see how they work, but I'd rather not.

Can anyone point me to any existing documentation on the new brush dynamics gui?

There are several tutorials on the new brush dynamics and I found this one quite informative.
Brush Dynamics

Install GURM.
http://registry.gimp.org/node/13473
Works in 2.6 and 2.8.
Gerard.

Sounds interesting.
But it's a pity the author doesn't briefly explain what it is, and more than that, why would we need this tool.

I'll check this out anyway, thanks.

As the author if the gpr entry (as stated, I didn't write the code ) I'd appreciate suggestions on improving what is stated there, as it seems quite clear to me. Probably a case of being too close to the subject to be objective

-Rob A >

RobA, do you use Windows or Linux?
I want to install Gurm but I don't really know if it easy enough for a non techie to figure out how to do this.
I use Fedora 17 only now.

I use Windows primarily, but also dual boot into Ubuntu for some stuff.

I think it is quite simple to set up, just follow the readme file. There are also a few sample configuration gurm.ini files posted in the forums here for different OSs that are a good reference.

-Rob A>

Thank you RobA

@molly,
For a non-techie it's probably easiest done by using "mc" aka Midnight Commander.
It should be available in Fedora since all linuxes have it.
You can of course edit files in a text editor but you'll have to make gurm.py "executable".
I added some screenshots to show how GURM is configured in my install.
Unfortunately I am only allowed to add three.
Once you have installed mc open it in a console by typing mc.
I'll continue when you tell me you've installed mc and post the rest plus the 4th screenshot.
Gerard.

Thank you gerard,
I installed mc and I downloaded Gurm. I also placed gurm.py into my user/molly/.gimp/plug-ins. I made a folder in .gimp and called it gurm-ini and that is where I placed the .ici file

I used your two top screen shots and changed where you had the red marks.

OK.Browsing with mc will show you what's under the hood.
With mc running hit F9 and with the left or right cursor key make "Options" highlighted.
With the down cursor key set it on "Configuration" and hit Enter.
Again with cursor keys move to Safe delete and use space to tick it.Do this first to prevent accidental deletes!
Switching the cursor between columns is done with the TAB key.

Gurm1.png:column on the left is where the d/led gurm file was unzipped.
Column on the right is a directory in which I copied all my d/led brushes in separate directories.
I added this directory in the /home/ikke/.gimp-2.6 directory by positioning the cursor somewhere inside and hitting F7.
You'll get a popup window where you can enter the directory name,here "mybrushes".

When the mc cursor is over a zipped file and you hit Enter mc will unzip it.
The result is what you see in the left column.
(If it doesn't work quit mc install "unzip" and restart mc).
I copied the gurm.py file to the .gimp-2.6/plug-ins file by having the cursor over it and .gimp-2.6/plug-ins opened on the right
column then I hit F5 and enter to copy it.
As you can see on the screenshot gurm.py has no star which means Linux doesn't consider it executable.
To achieve that set the cursor over gurm.py in the plug-ins directory and hit F9.
You'll see one of the items on the menubar on top light up,using the right or left cursor keys move it over "File".
Open the dropdown menu with the down cursor key and position it over "Chmod" and hit Enter.
A popup window will appear and using the space bar and cursor keys you can make it executable.
When you see a star like with the other plug-ins then it's become executable.
Gurm.ini also needs to be copied to the plug-ins directory.
If it shows a star then same procedure as for gurm.py but this time remove the executable ticks with space key.
(Scripts don't have stars because they are "interpreted" tiny scheme files)

Gurm2.png: gurm.py needs to know where it can find the gurm.ini file.
You can edit by having the cursor over it and then hit F4.
What you see is mine but I think you can remove the Windows path and replace it with your path.
Don't forget the dot before gimp-2.x.

Gurm3.png:This is the gurm.ini file.
I only use it for brushes but you could use it for more if you want it.
useManager enables it when set to yes.
Note the spaces in front and after the "=" sign!
gimpPath is where gurm copies brushes from your brush collection so they become available when you work with Gimp.
usePath is where you have your collection saved.(mybrushes in my setup)
extensions is self explanatory.
installedOptions should be left blank for now.

Gurm4.png: shows you how it's setup on my system.

Almost got a heart attack when I tried to add the last screenshot.
Gimpchat suddenly asked me to log in and when I did it showed an empty reply sheet.
By going back a couple of times I got here again.
I hope this will get you going.
I'm going to bed now it's 00:30 am here.
Good luck and if anything is unclear I'll be back tomorrow.
Gerard.

Just noticed your reply.
It has errors in it.
home/molly etc. should be /home/molly and the double quotes on both sides.
Gerard.

thanks gerard, I corrected that error with the quotations.
I got as far as delete in safe mode and I found how to get to the gurm.ini file but I don't know what to do next. I probably need a one step at a time instruction. Does this look right so far.

Very nice tutorial

OK one step at a time.
The cursor is over the gurm.ini file.
It has a star next to it but shouldn't have that.
F9 and then with right cursor key to File.
With down cursor key to Chmod and Enter.
Untick the all the lines that contain the word execute.
Hit Enter and the star should be gone.
(When I first installed gurm it failed because gurm.ini was executable which drives the system crazy)

Now with the cursor still over gurm.ini hit F4 and edit.

You can use mc to copy files from one directory to another.
When you want to copy more than one file you place the cursor over the top file and then use the insert key to mark all the
files you want copied.The marked files will become yellow.To unmark place the cursor over that file and hit insert again.Then use F5 to copy.

P.S. Gurm was written for Windows.
Fortunately it's written using the Python computer language which is extensively used in Linux and not native to Windows.
If it had been written for Linux gurm.ini would have been gurm.conf.
I'll leave it at this for now.
Let me know how it goes.
Gerard.

I think I am making a mess.
This is what I did when I tried to edit the Brush Manager.

Let me explain how Gimp administers brushes,scripts and plug-ins.
Gimp comes with a "standard" set of brushes which are installed in /usr/share/gimp/2.0/brushes.
Scripts that come with Gimp are in /usr/share/gimp/2.0/scripts.
Default plug-ins are located in /usr/lib/gimp/2.0/plug-ins.
This set will always be loaded when Gimp is started.

Gimp allows you to use your own brushes,scripts and plug-ins.
To keep things neat these are usually installed in your /home/username/,gimp-2.x/ directory.

Paths: a path directive tells a program where to find something.
This may be another program or other things to make it work correctly.
Paths are part and parcel of any Operating System,be it Linux,Windows,Mac you name it.
Remember computers are very stupid: You have to tell them exactly what to do,a typo will make it fail.

Now to get back to your last post:
gimpPath what you have there would be correct for Windows,Linux won't understand it.
It should read:

This is the default brush directory and gurm needs it to place the selected brushes.
userPath should point to where your brush collection is located.

Now you may want to call mybrushes something else,if you do then enter the correct name instead.
extensions is ok.
installedOptions should be empty since you haven't yet selected anything with gurm.

As you can see on one of my screenshots I have quite a few directories with brushes in /mybrushes.
These will show up in gurm when you run it,you can then tick what you need.
This way you'll avoid having an enormous amount of brushes in Gimp.
When you're going to do something else in Gimp you can untick brushes not needed and replace them with others.
Note: gurm is rather slow,so be patient when you change something.
Gerard.

ok, I changed it to this>

Please remove Mine from installedOptions.
Gurm will throw an error if you start it with something that it hasn't loaded into ~/brushes.
For the rest it looks ok.
Have you created the mybrushes directory and filled it with directories containing brushes?
Gerard.

Edit:Taking another look I saw that you don't have spaces after = in gimpPath and userPath!

No, I haven't as yet Gerard. I removed mine beside installed options. Beside user path, that little white square was missing when I was editing and I can't get it back. I got the ^M there but I can't get the white box that flash's. I don't even know what those are.

I didn't mess with the my brushes directory yet until I made sure the rest of it was okay so far. I have so many brushes and I would like to find a way to identify and group them first.