gThumb, the open-source symbol viewer and organiser, has been rewritten in Vala and ported to GTK4/libadwaita – and in comparison to the outdated UI, it’s slightly recognisable.
An alpha construct of gThumb 4.0 is to be had for trying out. Along the visible revamp, this brings reinforce for WEBP and PNG animations, permits you to export pictures within the JXL structure and features a censor filter out to pixelate or blur out portions of a picture.
However it’s the visible adjustments that mark this replace out. Positive, any port from GTK3 to GTK4 will upload a visage of modernity, however it’s no longer a “routinely appears superb” state of affairs (living proof: the GTK4 gtk-software-properties app in 26.04).
Applying the libadwaita widget set and thoughtfully making use of it it (i.e., paying attention to the GNOME HIG for guidelines) is what makes fashionable apps designed for GNOME glance so constant.
Higher spacing and clearer hierarchy make extra of the UI comprehensible at a look, not more squint-and-scan (a los angeles ‘grandma unearths the web’ meme) to find an possibility or glean some data.
Working example, the picture houses sidebar. Data has extra space to respire within the new UI, decreasing the depth within the data-dump density (the thumbnail strip when viewing a picture is now toggle-able, appearing at the left – no longer pictured under):
Modifying pictures in gThumb is advanced too, as each and every software/filter out now displays a textual content label to relay it serve as, that means you now not wish to hover over a button or bet. Plus, each and every is signposted through a revised icon:
The brand new censor filter out is definitely a at hand inclusion, mirroring options increasingly more not unusual in different local symbol audience/editors.
Personal tastes is suitably nicer to take a look at too:
Now not all gThumb’s current options make the transition to GTK4/libadwaita. Amongst issues dropped within the gThumb 4.0 alpha are internet albums, the touch sheet, the facility to regulate time values for pictures for my part and the (nifty) ‘in finding duplicates’ software.
Those may go back in long run variations/updates (that is an alpha).
Nonetheless a spot for gThumb
If the speculation of the usage of a desktop photograph supervisor turns out a sepia-tinge indulgence in 2026 it’s as a result of cloud-based photograph backup products and services like Google Pictures and iCloud have in large part changed the to manually import, tag and organise native backups.
However in the event you shoot with a DSLR, want your privateness otherwise you’ve merely opt-ed out of letting large tech and their algorithms make a decision which reminiscences depend and the way they will have to glance (AI prompt edits, ahoy), then equipment like gThumb greater than earn their position.
Ubuntu nonetheless comprises Shotwell in its prolonged set up. gThumb’s a genial choice to that, so if you need to take a look at the newest alpha, you’ll be able to construct it from supply (Meson makes it trivial) or hunt out an unofficial PPA.
