Finder issue with .xcf (GIMP) files

Question

Level 1

6 points

Finder issue with .xcf (GIMP) files

In Sierra Finder the preview shows a spinning wheel for .xcf files. Can still open a GIMP file, but the preview is annoying. What is Finder not finding?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.3)

Posted on Feb 15, 2017 5:40 PM

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Answer 1

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,392 points

Feb 15, 2017 8:34 PM in response to LGCullens

To convert:

Open the XCF file using GIMP.
Click on File.
Click on Export.
Enter a filename. It'll be saved as PNG by default. You can use any other format by simply adding the extension to your filename (like image.jpg , image.bmp ) or selecting another file format in the bottom right of the export window.
Click on Export.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,458 points

Feb 15, 2017 6:35 PM in response to LGCullens

The .xcf format is non-native to Mac, and no Apple applications, Finder, or even Quick Look know what to do with it. If you right-click on it, the only application that knows how to open that document format is GIMP itself.

On macOS Sierra 10.12.3 with GIMP 2.8.20 having just written a .xcf file to the Desktop, it is essentially inert with no “spinning wheel” to be seen in Finder or anything else, because the document without GIMP is simply inert.

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Answer 3

LGCullens Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 15, 2017 7:20 PM in response to VikingOSX

I would suppose other files like .odt (NeoOffice) would be non-native, but they show a default image or even a preview with .odt Don't use much of anything but NeoOffice and GIMP, so I really haven't noticed how it handles other "non-native" files.

In any case, on my iMac (10.10.5) a default image is shown in Finder's preview for an .xcf file. On my new MacBook (10.12.3) that same default image is shown on the desktop, and is shown in Finder's preview for the app GIMP, but in Finder's preview pane for an .xcf file there is only a spinning wheel. Seems to me a connection got dropped.

Same situation for both GIMP 2.8.14 and 2.8.20 files.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

136,127 points

Feb 15, 2017 9:29 PM in response to LGCullens

FWIW, I just installed GIMP 2.8.20 in Yosemite and noticed a couple things. One, there still is no preview although there is no spinning wheel. Just a blank document icon. The other thing is, GIMP 2.8.20 takes forever to look for fonts when opening in Sierra, whereas once it opens the first time in Yosemite it takes no time to speak of.

My impression is GIMP is still not fully compatible with Sierra.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

136,127 points

Feb 15, 2017 8:47 PM in response to dialabrain

dialabrain wrote:

The other thing is, GIMP 2.8.20 takes forever to look for fonts when opening in Sierra, whereas once it opens the first time in Yosemite it takes no time to speak of.

My impression is GIMP is still not fully compatible with Sierra.

FWIW, I learned something with all this messing around with GIMP. If you dbl-click a .xcf file or select an image and choose "Open with…" GIMP, GIMP opens right up. It's only if you run GIMP first that it takes forever looking for fonts.

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Answer 6

LGCullens Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 15, 2017 9:28 PM in response to LGCullens

Thank you all. I think dialabrain is likely closest to the mark in suspecting GIMP is still not fully compatible with Sierra. This small annoyance I can live with. Also in noting that saving and exporting are two very different things in Gimp. I use GIMP for illustration work, and exporting is a final step in merging a hundred or so layers ;-)

My bigger problem with this 15" MacBook is that I keep resting my left hand on the trackpad while I'm drawing with the MagicMouse in my right hand. Makes a heck of a mess :-)

Many thanks for your input, take care all.

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Answer 7

LGCullens Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 15, 2017 9:48 PM in response to dialabrain

Hey, that really helps. Between writing and illustrating I don't explore much. Kinda jaded anyways as the first computer I worked on was an IBM 1130 (back in the IBM 360 days).

Anyway, great, you solved my bigger problem :-)

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

136,127 points

Feb 15, 2017 7:19 PM in response to LGCullens

FWIW, VikingOSX is correct although I get the spinning wheel. You would get the same spinning wheel if you clicked on a RAW image file from a camera that's not supported.