How to Save As in GIMP?

In GIMP, the function you're likely looking for when you want to "save as" a different file format (like JPG, PNG, or GIF) is actually called Export. The standard "Save" or "Save As" functions in GIMP are typically used for saving your project in GIMP's native format, which is the .xcf file type. The .xcf format preserves layers, paths, guides, and other editable GIMP features.

To save your image in a different format suitable for web, sharing, or other applications, you need to use the Export option.

Understanding GIMP's Save vs. Export

It's important to understand the distinction:

• Save / Save As: Saves your image as a .xcf file. This is your working file where you retain all editing capabilities. Think of it like saving a Photoshop .psd file.
• Export / Export As: Saves your image as a flattened (usually) file in various standard image formats like JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, etc. This is what you use to create the final image output for others to view or use outside of GIMP.

How to Export (Save As) Your Image in a Different Format

Based on the provided reference and standard GIMP workflow, here are the steps to "save as" a different file type, such as JPG:

1. Go to the File menu at the top left of the GIMP window.
2. Click on Export or Export As.... Clicking "Export As..." is generally recommended as it allows you to specify the file name, location, and format.
3. A dialog window will appear where you can choose where to save your file and what to name it.
4. To change the file type, you can either:
   • Type the desired file extension (like .jpg, .png, or .gif) at the end of your file name. GIMP will often automatically select the format based on the extension.
   • Click the "Select File Type (By Extension)" option (as mentioned in the reference). This expands a list of available file formats.
5. Scroll through the list and select the desired file format (e.g., JPEG image for .jpg, as shown in the reference video where the user changes from PNG to JPG).
6. Click the Export button in the dialog window.
7. Depending on the format you chose (like JPG or PNG), a further dialog box might appear with format-specific options (e.g., quality settings for JPG, transparency options for PNG). Adjust these settings as needed.
8. Click Export in this final dialog box to complete the process.

Example: Saving as JPG

As seen in the reference:

• Starting with an image (e.g., a .png).
• Go to File -> Export.
• Click "Select File Type (By Extension)".
• Choose "JPEG image" from the list.
• Click Export.
• Adjust JPG quality settings if prompted, then click Export again.

Common Export Formats

Here's a quick look at some common formats you might export to:

Format	Extension(s)	Best For	Key Feature(s)
JPEG	.jpg, .jpeg	Photos, web images (non-transparent)	Lossy compression (smaller file size)
PNG	.png	Images with transparency, illustrations	Lossless compression, supports alpha channel (transparency)
GIF	.gif	Simple animations, low-color images	Supports animation, limited color palette, transparency
TIFF	.tif, .tiff	High-quality print, archival	Lossless compression, supports layers (sometimes)

Using the Export feature correctly ensures your image is saved in the format you need for its final use outside of GIMP.