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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Fogpanther is a new image editor for Linux.
• This could bridge the gap between GIMP and Photoshop.
• With a $69 price tag, it makes an appealing case.

Fogpanther. Yep, that’s the name.

What is it? A new Linux image editor that hopes to compete with GIMP and the one image editor to rule them all… Photoshop.

Will it give those powerhouse editors a run for their money?

Maybe.

Also: 10 Linux apps I install on every new machine (and why you should, too)

I installed Fogpanther on Pop!_OS to see what the skinny is on this new app. At first blush, I was impressed. Whoever designed the UI made some good choices. It’s clean, doesn’t overwhelm the user with a bajillion tool choices in the GUI, and seems fairly stable for an alpha release.

The creators of Fogpanther call their new tool a professional image editor, which is built entirely for the open-source operating system (sorry, MacOS and Windows users). This new editor will include features like layer-based editing, layer groups, layer masks, embedded objects, non-destructive adjustment layers for curves, color grading, blend modes, and embedded fonts, PSD file support, and CMYK color management with ICC profile support.

On the surface, Fogpanther seems to check all the boxes, but does it deliver?

First, what I tested was the latest pre-release version of the software, so keep that in mind. 

What is Fogpanther like?

The Fogpanther GUI is very well done. It sort of reminds me of GIMP, but with newer users in mind. For many, that will be a big plus, because the GIMP learning curve can be steep.

That’s not to say Fogpanther is as simple as, say, Canva. Given that Fogpanther is touted as a “professional image editor,” a learning curve should be expected. But with its slightly more minimalistic UI (as compared to GIMP), new users might not be as put off.

Also: How to create a gradient transparency in GIMP

One thing I really like about Fogpanther is its use of tabs. Not only can you create/edit a new image in a new tab, but the sidebar is set up with tabs, which allows you to switch between things like Layers, Channels, Paths, Object Filters, and Typography. This makes it easy to navigate the UI without it being too cluttered and confusing.

But as I said, this is aimed at pros, which means it’s all about layers, and Fogpanther has all the tools you need for layering. Speaking of which, one of the first issues I discovered with Fogpanther relates to layers. Understand, I come from GIMP, and have been using it for decades (so my brain and fingers automatically assume I’m working with that tool). 

What happened was this: I created a simple image with a few layers and went to add some text. In GIMP, when you add text, it automatically adds the text as its own layer. With Fogpanther, text is added to the current layer. Because of that, it’s important to add a new layer before you add text.

My honest take on Fogpanther

Manually creating a new layer for text is a small issue that can be dealt with or will be resolved prior to general release. That being said, what was my overall take on Fogpanther?

First, there’s the price, which is a one-time $69.99. That’s not bad for a professional-level image editor. But given that GIMP is free (and well established), I see a steep road ahead for Fogpanther. 

The big pitch for Fogpanther is that it supports PSD files. GIMP does as well, but neither of them does a very good job of it. Neither GIMP nor Fogpanther could open a 4K PSD file, and a PSD file with only two layers was also problematic.

I’ll give Fogpanther a pass, given that it’s still in alpha.

Also: How to make GIMP more like Photoshop

But if the developers can make it such that the editor can seamlessly work with PSD files, that would be a huge win for Linux users.

With all that said, I strongly believe that Fogpanther is a welcome addition to the Linux image editing lineup of tools. Yes, GIMP is the standard bearer for Linux, but for so many users (especially those new to Linux), it’s a bit overwhelming. If Fogpanther can deliver on its promises (especially with the PSD files), I see this as a big leap forward for Linux and would be very much worth the price tag.

For years, people have complained about GIMP’s UI, and now there’s an answer for those complaints, so I see Fogpanther as a solution to a problem that’s haunted Linux for some time.

From my perspective, it boils down to this: When you install the current version of Fogpanther, it’s a 30-day trial, which is odd, seeing as how it’s not ready for prime time. As the app stands now, I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay $69 for it. However, if it can deliver on its promises, then you can bet I’d be happy to fork over the scratch for an image editor that could compete with Photoshop.

Also: How to use Layers in the GIMP image editor (and why you should)

When Fogpanther is available for general release, if it improves on everything it already has and adds a plugin system, this will be a big hit. 

If it seems like I’m a bit wishy-washy, back-and-forth, it’s because I am. One minute I’m all about Fogpanther, and the next I’m skeptical. Every time I think I’ve landed on my opinion, I see something else I either like or don’t like.

In the end, only time will tell; in the meantime, however, I’m excited about having more image editing options on Linux, especially one that can bridge the UI gap between GIMP and Photoshop.