GIMP: Single column toolbar

calendar Jul 20, 2023 · 2 min read · GIMP Toolbar Image Editing Customise Preferences guide  ·
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I was working in GIMP today on some large images, and the one thing that was bugging me, was how long it was taking me to find the tools I needed on the toolbar. The multi-column toolbar (which is set as default in GIMP) was slowing me down, and the width of it was taking up space that I could use for editing or painting.

Having used a lot of image editing software over the years, I've grown to like just having one single column for tools. For me, this makes it easy to find the tools I need when working on an image, build muscle memory, and makes editing faster.

However, with multiple columns and rows, and on top of that, tool groups - things where getting confusing fast.

I find this way too wide and confusing to find tools quickly.

I find this way too wide and confusing to find tools quickly.

I can't work with GIMP's four column toolbar layout by default, it drives me insane! So, I took a look in the preferences to see if I could change it from there. Oddly, there are no options in the preferences to simply enable this. However, with a bit of click'n'drag in the main GIMP window, it can be done.

First, move the widgets on the left over to the right panels.

Move the widgets on the left over to the right side panel.

Move the widgets on the left over to the right side panel.

Now you're able to left-click and drag the panel and make it narrower until you get a single column layout for the widgets.

Slide over the frame, and you're done.

Slide over the frame, and you're done.

Simple, quick and easy! I can now get back to editing images, rather than playing "Whac-A-Mole" looking for tools. 👍