GIMP Plug-in for Image Registration

https://gimp-image-reg.sourceforge.io/

Last update: 2025-11-20

This plug-in implements the inverse compositional image registration algorithm for GIMP. Image registration—also known as image alignment—is the process of transforming one image so that it best matches another. This is useful whenever you want to combine two or more images that are similar but not perfectly aligned.

A typical use case is creating HDR images from 2 or 3 photos. Unless a tripod is used, the source images will almost always be slightly misaligned. Dedicated HDR software usually performs this alignment automatically, but when working directly in GIMP (for example using layer masks), you need to align the images manually. This plug-in provides an efficient and accurate way to do that.

A step-by-step guide to creating HDR images using this plug-in is available at: https://gimp-image-reg.sourceforge.io/examples-en.html

Installation

The easiest way to install the plug-in is to use the pre-built binaries for your system. They can be downloaded from the following locations:

• For GIMP 2.10 and older: https://sourceforge.net/projects/gimp-image-reg/files/version-2.0.1/

• For GIMP 3.0 and newer: https://sourceforge.net/projects/gimp-image-reg/files/version-3.0.0

The ZIP archives for both versions are already packaged in the directory structure expected by the corresponding GIMP release. Therefore, simply unpack the ZIP archive exactly as it is (including any top-level directory) into one of your plug-in folders. No renaming or rearranging is needed.

Important note on GIMP versions

GIMP 2.10 (and earlier) detects plug-ins by scanning for executable files directly inside the plug-in folders.

GIMP 3.0 (and newer) uses a different structure: each plug-in must be placed inside its own subfolder, and the executable inside that folder must have the same name as the folder itself. Plug-ins that do not follow this layout will not be detected.

(The pre-built binaries already follow the correct layout for each version.)

Locating or adding plug-in folders

To view the plug-in folders used by your GIMP installation—or to add a new one—navigate to: Edit → Preferences → Folders → Plug-ins

This dialog lists all directories GIMP searches for plug-ins. You can add additional locations using the “+” button if you prefer to store this plug-in in a custom folder.

For more detailed installation instructions, please refer to: https://gimp-image-reg.sourceforge.io/install-en.html

Using the plug-in

After installation, the plug-in appears as “Image Registration…” in the Tools menu of GIMP.

To use it:

1. Load your images into GIMP (preferably as layers using “Open as Layers…”).
2. Select the layer you want to transform.
3. Launch the plug-in from the Tools menu.

For details on the available parameters, click the Help button in the plug-in dialog.

For additional guidance, the following page provides two detailed, step-by-step examples of using the plug-in: https://gimp-image-reg.sourceforge.io/examples-en.html

License

Version 3.0.0 and later: MIT License Versions 2.0.1 and earlier: GPL-3.0