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+---
+title: gimp integration
+id: gimp-integration
+weight: 85
+draft: false
+author: "people"
+---
+
+GIMP can use darktable to open a RAW file if the darktable executable is on the PATH. If the GIMP user opens a RAW file, then GIMP invokes darktable with some special command line parameters to get a temporary file for GIMP to work with. It uses these command line parameters:
+
+```
+darktable --gimp [version]
+                 [file <path>]
+                 [thumb <path> <dim>]
+```
+
+In all cases, darktable will report its result to GIMP wrapped in tags like this (where `<res>` depends on the command given):
+
+```
+<<<gimp
+<res>
+gimp>>>
+```
+
+Only one of the commands should be present on the command line.
+
+`version`
+: `<res>` is the version of the GIMP API (_not_ the darktable version).
+
+`file <path>`
+: Starts darktable in darkroom mode with the image from the `<path>` loaded. The user is prevented from switching to another darktable mode. When the user closes the darkroom window, the result is exported as an EXR file to a temporary location. The returned `<res>` is the full path of the exported file.
+
+`thumb <path> <dim>`
+: darktable writes a thumbnail JPEG file to a temporary location. `<path>` is the RAW file path, `<dim>` (in pixels) is used for the greater of width or height required for the thumbnail. The original ratio of dimensions is maintained. The returned `<res>` has the following format:
+
+* The full path of the exported file on the first line.
+* The width and height of the original file as space-separated integers on the second line. These dimensions are informational and may not be accurate. For RAW files these are the sensor size.