Upgrading from 2.6.11 to 2.8.4, Any Tips?

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:50 pm **(#1)**

GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Advanced Level

I like my 2.6.11 set up and theme, but I don't want to lose it all by upgrading to 2.8.4.
There's some really great new features to 2.8, that I would love to take advantage of. I also do not want to give up my 2.6 that I've worked so hard to maintain.

I need some tips on how I can "have my cake and eat it too", so to speak.

molly · **Joined:** Apr 07, 2010 **Posts:** 14182

Why not put 2.8.4 on a usb or use a portable version then you would have both your cake and pie.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:45 pm **(#3)**

molly wrote:

Why not put 2.8.4 on a usb or use a portable version then you would have both your cake and pie.

That's a good idea Molly.
I'd also like to be able (at some point) to integrate what I've accumulated in my 2.6 to 2.8 and only run one Gimp version on my PC.

I don't need a portable version of Gimp. So putting a full install of Gimp 2.8.4 on a usb drive sounds good, but does it have to be a portable version?

molly · **Joined:** Apr 07, 2010 **Posts:** 14182

I think it does. I have a Gimp on a USB and it is portable. Partha would probably be the one to ask. He keeps his site quite up to date with new and portable versions.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 4:44 pm **(#5)**

molly wrote:

I think it does. I have a Gimp on a USB and it is portable. Partha would probably be the one to ask. He keeps his site quite up to date with new and portable versions.

Thanks Molly. :bigthup

Odinbc · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 4:45 pm **(#6)**

The one thing I can tell you is when you upgrade to Gimp 2.8x it installs in a different dir but you will lose Gimp 2.6. The 2.6 user folder should be mainly intact but Gimp 2.6 program will be gone. Then you can reinstall 2.6, have your old preferences and be good to go with both.
I'm sure others will have some input on their experience. Just backup both folders to be safe.

Have a quick look at this thread at gimpforums.com.
http://gimpforums.com/thread-installing ... -6-version

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:21 pm **(#7)**

Odinbc wrote:

The one thing I can tell you is when you upgrade to Gimp 2.8x it installs in a different dir but you will lose Gimp 2.6. The 2.6 user folder should be mainly intact but Gimp 2.6 program will be gone. Then you can reinstall 2.6, have your old preferences and be good to go with both.
I'm sure others will have some input on their experience. Just backup both folders to be safe.

Have a quick look at this thread at gimpforums.com.
http://gimpforums.com/thread-installing ... -6-version

Thanks Odin... I plan to make a back-up of my 2.6, before I do anything.

molly · **Joined:** Apr 07, 2010 **Posts:** 14182

When I upgrade for my Fedora, I drag my whole Gimp folder out onto the desktop and rename it like Gimp-2.6.7-old, something like that. It will be as good as new when you go to use it cuz all your files will be there. Then you can put all your previous folder contents into your new version.

Graechan · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:49 pm **(#9)**

I guess its that bite the bullet and upgrade time, if you wish to keep 2-6-11 download the 2-8-4 potable (from Partha) and install on your C:/ drive or if you want to upgrade to 2-8-4 download from Gimp.
The reason I am saying this is because Partha includes additional plugins but places them into the system folders not the user folders.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:16 pm **(#10)**

Graechan wrote:

I guess its that bite the bullet and upgrade time, if you wish to keep 2-6-11 download the 2-8-4 potable (from Partha) and install on your C:/ drive or if you want to upgrade to 2-8-4 download from Gimp.
The reason I am saying this is because Partha includes additional plugins but places them into the system folders not the user folders.

Now I'm wondering if I should just do a complete 2.8 upgrade and start over. I just don't know what to do with all the scripts, plugins and all the other stuff I've accumulated.

If I save all my 2.6 stuff, Like brushes, patterns, gradients, pallets and all the other things... is it worth keeping all the scripts and plugins that I have it 2.6?
I'm not sure if those scripts and plugins are any good for 2.8.

If I install the portable version on my C:/ drive, it won't interfere with 2.6 right?

molly · **Joined:** Apr 07, 2010 **Posts:** 14182

right. I would still pull out your whole gimp folder to keep, so you won't lose anything, anyway, every one will tell you a different way.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:24 pm **(#12)**

molly wrote:

When I upgrade for my Fedora, I drag my whole Gimp folder out onto the desktop and rename it like Gimp-2.6.7-old, something like that. It will be as good as new when you go to use it cuz all your files will be there. Then you can put all your previous folder contents into your new version.

That's what I'm hoping to do somehow. (nail biting and sweating profusely)

I'm just not sure about all the scripts and plugins and if I'll need to reinstall G'MIC.

Graechan · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:41 pm **(#13)**

Save your .gimp2-6 folder as 99% of scripts will function OK in 2-8 same with plugins, as I remember when I upgraded to 2-8 it creates a new .gimp2-8 folder but save your .gimp2-6 folder to your e.g.desktop to be 'sure to be sure' (as the Irish would say)

also where do you intend to get your 2-8-4 from?

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:44 pm **(#14)**

Graechan wrote:

Save your .gimp2-6 folder as 99% of scripts will function OK in 2-8 same with plugins, as I remember when I upgraded to 2-8 it creates a new .gimp2-8 folder but save your .gimp2-6 folder to your e.g.desktop to be 'sure to be sure' (as the Irish would say)

also where do you intend to get your 2-8-4 from?

@Graechan,

I've downloaded the Windows 32-bit 2.8.4 from 'Partha's Place' on Rod's advice. Is there another version that's better or one that I should be aware of?