EDIT 7 April 2012
replaced by a new more polished version
Major changes

1) Autosave
When using a beta version take care to save often eliminate most of possible problems.
So i included a Autosave script to do make it easier and quicker.

2)
Corrected the path of some script so that now all the "save" options are in the File/Save menu and all that to Export in File/Export
3)
Updated Gmic at the last version ( gmic-1.5.1.1 released yesterday
4)
other little details fixed.

Download link is the same:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gimp-pa ... z/download

As explained below may run alongside other gimp versions and no not require installation
Just unzip (everywhere you wish except for Vista and 7 "Program Files"..any other place is fine, i.e C, or Document, or what else but not Program Files ) click on "gimprun .exe and will load (once you decided its place you may also RIGHT click on gimprun.exe, chose "send to the Desktop" to create a desktop shortcut )
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you may found a more articulate exposition of the concept behind this project HERE
http://code.google.com/p/free-gimp-packagers/

To summarize the main goal is finally allow Windows to use GIMP with the same ease and satisfaction experienced by Linux users:
on most of Linux distro (as example in Ubuntu and all its derivates )you may install Gimp, its Help, and the most useful plugin ,script & addon with a single operation, and support for Python plugin is enabled by default

So the main difference between my version and the more know but no more official build by Jernej Simončič hosted on http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/ (no more official since as clearly stated by the dev "The GIMP team doesn't officially provide any Windows binaries") are

1) the gimp Help is pre-installed, and for navigate better in the help index the gimp help browser (that for mysterious reasons went MIA in the most recent gimp build) is now fully functional

2) Support for python plugin works out of the box exactly as in Linux
(thank to Partha, my version is build upon its last compile )

3) the most useful plugins & script for general use are also preinstalled, including several not only difficult to install but even to find
list is long just to give a few examples:

MathMap in its last and more complete version, very difficult to find
(i know well because i was the only hosting it on a obscure Deviantart page)
G'MIC
Resyntesizer
Liquid Rescale
David batch Processor (for batch operation)
Several good Logo scripts (from Graechan Fenceposte and other)

and to make life easier
Save-xcf+Export
that allow to save the original in editable format and simultaneously export png and/or jpg for publish on the web

there is much more that will be listed in the incoming release note

4)
Support for commune file format as PDF, Flash animation (.swf), Open Raster, (and much others) enabled by default

5)
The very old but still very good plugin that were penalized by a preview so tiny to be unusable, except than to edit post stamps have now a usable preview ; a few examples


6) SINGLE WINDOW MODE ENABLED BY DEFAULT
(the option to revert to the old multi-window mode is in the Window menu


7) MORE EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE
My main wish was no much to provide a customized version but a more easily customizable version.
To understand better this point just open the program folder and navigate inside the gimp-2.7 subfolders

Here i want only add that ALL what i added is clearly separated from the Core gimp code

8) May run from the main HD but it is EASILY portable
(easily= just take care to not add preferences path outside the program folder)

9) may run alongside the stable version (or any other version)

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IMPORTANT-HOW TO USE

Unzip
DO NOT search for gimp.exe...instead look for gimprun.exe and click on it to start
To create a desktop shortcut: RIGHT click on gimprun exe, chose from the dropdown menu "send to desktop, ..DONE!

IMPORTANT FOR 7 and VISTA USERS

Put the program folder where you like (i.e. directly in C, or in Documents or what else ) BUT NOT in Program Files:
the lock placed by vista and 7 on Program Files will prevent you to add or edit brush pattern etc and give a lot of nuisances

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this version was build upon last build from Partha
No changes to the gimp source code except trivial changes in the hardcoded windows size preview values of a few plugins, and to the gimprc file (that is the file that control the preferences that remain fully editable )

DOWNLOAD

http://sourceforge.net/projects/gimp-pa ... z/download

NB the file size is huge (more than 90MB ) mainly because the help files size

THANK to the gimp devs, to Partha, Rod , Greachan, RobA, Saulgoode, Fenceposte , carlo baldassi, botchick, Samij ,and to all the others that contribute with compiling, with scripts, plugin, other addon and beta testing,
without their help this would not be possible

Happy gimping

That's looking beautiful PhotoComix!

Is this available as a 64-bit version? Or is it only 32-bit thus far?

I'm glad you got my message as it would make things difficult for a gurn e.t.c., Besides these concerns it is fast becoming my G.U.I of choice. The problem I'm having with my picture frame script seems to be with wrapmap in any 2.7 version and I don't know python does wrapmap work in your 2.7?

Man! That is what we have been waiting for! Unfortunately I don't want to risk losing any of my files or any critical bugs not yet worked out. As soon as 2.8 comes out will download yours

a 64 bit version will be soon available (no more than 1 week from now , maybe less)
Maybe without Mathmap ( i still hope somebody may compile for 64 bit but as now is just a hope ) for the rest should be no differences,

@ Greachan
yes i got your message , and i will fix that withinh 24 h

i also want try your last frame script, about gurm and wrapmap i can't see any reasons why they should not work but i didn't try yet
( or maybe you already tried ?)
on my to do list is also try to hack the save+ export script to include options to export also as PDF, open raster and as flash animation but i don't want make promises about

@ZWard117
Just by taking care to save often you should not have any problem about losing files
I am using from about 1 mouth and i still didn't stumbled in any critical bug, anyway sure it is based on 2.7 that is not a stable version., of course at soon possible i would port to 2.8

Even when I use the plugin to follow the simple directions I found here http://www.gimpchat.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=553 it fails with this message Wrap bitmap (bucket) Warning
No selection defined yet functionality is OK in 2.6

Maybe ofnuts know better :
if works in any recent gimp-2.7 must work also in this, if not should be easy to fix..easy for who know py (it is not my case )

Nicely done PC!
I would like to see GAP added to this version, and APNG.
Contact me about an installer.This should decrease the user download size quite a bit.

Oh yes Rod a installer would be perfect !
i just send you a PM

About your previous question about why not include GAP :
i like this a version tweaked to work smoother and to offer more smart defaults and simultaneously be more easily customizable, but for the rest it want be Gimp,just Gimp not a tweak for a specific target and task (as is gimp painter) but just gimp, but a gimp with what should be in already inside and ready to work out of the box

Gap fit much better instead with GimpVideo (if you remember i already did a beta of GimpVideo and i will update at soon i finish this basic version) where its step learning curve would be more acceptable

Ok I just tried this build today, and as far as I can see it has the same problems as partha's version... at least for me.

(not surprising if it's based on the same build?)

Yes.

I will be updating my version soon. But this is a hectic weekend.

I don't know if this is the right place to put this..but thought I'd give it a shot....and if I am repeating I apologize, life has had me soo busy i've not been around as much.

Has anyone else noticed that the latest 2.7 build (partha's build) sorry partha, crashes when using the smudge tool about 75% of the time?

I never before have had crash issues, in fact..could count on one hand the times I've crashed in gimp....and have just now narrowed it down to using the smudge tool because of the particular picture I'm working on.

Anyway, just wanted to inquire, and toss it out there in case it was something (fingers crossed) that could be looked into or might just happen to be fixed with a next update.

btw, i love your builds partha....this is the first time, i've ever had an issue to report.

First Update, more polished version available (see first message)
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gimp-pa ... z/download

maybe also a version with a installer soon....
(Rod may have something in his Magic Hat )

Installer ready (thank to Rod) now you may chose between the zipped version and the installer

Jorden,

Thanks for the bug report. I was not aware of this crash.

When I rebuild Gimp for the new RC1, I will check this and let you know if this bug does not exist anymore.

Partha

ohhhh yay!!!!!!! <3 partha )