Saving as .xcf then .png?

Artistik01 · **Joined:** Sep 01, 2013 **Posts:** 5

GIMP Version: 2.8.4
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

Hi, I have been using GIMP to make manips, but have recently discovered my love of digital painting. I have been using GIMP for a while now, but I am having difficulty changing from .xcf to .png

I am using .xcf because it saves the layers and stops me from having to go back and do all that work again, which is time consuming.
However, I want to be able to get a copy of the exact same image and save it as .png, without messing up the layers. Can someone explain how to do this? I may have been using GIMP for quite a long time yet have absolutely no clue how to do basic stuff :gaah

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

Save as XCF first to save your layers, then click export and save as png.
Export is under file.

Artistik01 · **Joined:** Sep 01, 2013 **Posts:** 5

molly wrote:

Save as XCF first to save your layers, then click export and save as png.
Export is under file.

It worked, thank you very much! :tyspin

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

Glad it worked and Welcome to Gimp Chat

PhotoComix · **Joined:** Apr 12, 2010 **Posts:** 5870

There are a couple of script to save+ export simultaneusly

Sorry if i am too lazy to search gimptalk for you, anyway both were created for a my request and that should easy the search

BaukjeSpirit · **Posted:** Sun Sep 01, 2013 8:13 am **(#6)**

I had problems with that too when I changed from version 2.6 to 2.8, because in the early versions of GIMP you could choose any file type GIMP supports when using 'saving as'

Did you recently changed to 2.8?

Oh and welcome to GimpChat :mrgreen:

Rod · **Joined:** May 16, 2010 **Posts:** 16262

Yes the developers decided to go this route because most graphic applications use this method. Save for the workspace file, and export for image extensions. It has confused many people i am sorry to say.
I do however prefer it this way.