Multiple Instances Of GIMP With Different GIMP2 Directory

effykingly · **Joined:** Oct 13, 2013 **Posts:** 14

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: Windows 10 64 bit
GIMP Experience: New User

Good day,

I am trying to create 4 different instances of GIMP each with their own resources- brushes, plugins, etc. So I can simulatenoously run different GIMPs each with their own purpose (photo editing, comic making, web design, and scrapbooking).

I created 3 folders under C:\Users\Username the folders being .gimp-comic, .gimp-scrapbook, and .gimp-web. I will used the default .gimp-2.8 as my photo editing instance.

I created 3 bat files under each GIMP2 Directory the files being gimp-comic.bat, gimp-scrapbook.bat, and gimp-web.bat The code is:
set LANGUAGE=en
set GIMP2_DIRECTORY=.gimp-comic
"C:\Program Files (x86)\GIMP 2\bin\gimp-2.8.exe" -n &

When I run the bat file a GIMP instance starts but it is the default one not the specified GIMP2 Directory and I get the message "Unable to open a test swap file.

To avoid data loss, please check the location and permissions of the swap directory defined in your Preferences (currently "C:\Users\Username\.gimp-comic ")."

Any solutions? I am not interested in using GURM or MrQ as I am not trying to manage which brushes/palettes/plugins are used I am trying to run multiple instances of GIMP with a different purpose.

effykingly · **Joined:** Oct 13, 2013 **Posts:** 14

I solved it myself. The correct code is:
set LANGUAGE=en
set GIMP2_DIRECTORY=C:\Users\Username\.gimp-comic
"C:\Program Files (x86)\GIMP 2\bin\gimp-2.8.exe" -n

Now my desire is how do I get rid of or hide the command prompt window that the .bat creates to run the GIMP instance. I really don't want my taskbar space cluttered. I tried putting "exit" and "exit 0" as the last line.

ofnuts · **Joined:** Oct 25, 2010 **Posts:** 4812

effykingly wrote:

:gimp

I solved it myself. The correct code is:
set LANGUAGE=en
set GIMP2_DIRECTORY=C:\Users\Username\.gimp-comic
"C:\Program Files (x86)\GIMP 2\bin\gimp-2.8.exe" -n

Now my desire is how do I get rid of or hide the command prompt window that the .bat creates to run the GIMP instance. I really don't want my taskbar space cluttered. I tried putting "exit" and "exit 0" as the last line.

Hazy memory from my Windows days:

Code: Select all

start "C:\Program Files (x86)\GIMP 2\bin\gimp-2.8.exe" -n

effykingly · **Joined:** Oct 13, 2013 **Posts:** 14

Thank you for responding ofnuts but that actually broke the bat file and GIMP didn't run anymore.

But you did start me off in the right direction. The fixed code is
set LANGUAGE=en
set GIMP2_DIRECTORY=C:\Users\Username\.gimp-comic
start "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\GIMP 2\bin\gimp-2.8.exe" -n
exit

I have no idea why GIMP didn't run at all when 'start' was in front but runs without the command prompt when the two quotes are after 'start'. But I'm happy it works the way I want it too.

ofnuts · **Joined:** Oct 25, 2010 **Posts:** 4812

Because the full syntax is "start [Title] [executable]" so with the two quote you are just adding an empty title to make it happy.