GIMP animated brush
File type: Bitmap image file
A .gih file is a GIMP animated brush, also known as a brush pipe. It contains brush images that GIMP uses in sequence or according to drawing input.
The file belongs to the brush system of the GIMP image editor.
Found 2 different file type records with the same gih filename suffix.
File type category:
Bitmap image file
Date updated: October 16, 2026
GIMP is an open-source image editor available for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS and Linux/Unix. Its animated brush format stores the images and brush settings needed to apply a sequence of brush frames.
A GIH brush can contain multiple brush images arranged in rows, columns or ranks. Its settings determine how GIMP selects those images while painting, for example in response to movement, pressure or other input. This allows the brush to produce animated, textured or variable strokes.
The format is intended for use as a GIMP brush rather than as a general-purpose bitmap image.
Import the .gih file into GIMP through the Brushes dialog, or copy it to a folder configured as a GIMP brushes folder and refresh the brush list. The brush can then be selected and used with a painting tool.
A GIH file is not normally opened as a regular image document. If GIMP does not detect it, check that the file is in a configured brushes folder and restart or refresh GIMP.
It may be possible to convert the brush images to standard graphics formats using GIMP, although the brush animation and settings may not be preserved.
To obtain standard graphics, use the original brush artwork when available and export those images from GIMP in a suitable bitmap format.
Englishimage/x-gimp-gih
Software applications that can open gih files:
Software applications that can edit gih files:
Software capable of saving gih files:
Programs for viewing gih files:
Software apps that create gih files:
Software apps that import gih files:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Multiplatform
Software apps that export gih files:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Multiplatform
Software applications that handle other tasks involving gih files:
File type category:
Bitmap image file
Date updated: October 29, 2019
Record marked as obsolete and not updated for a long time.
The gih file extension is related to the Hires-Bitmap, a picture image format, developed for C64, an 8-bit computer developed by Commodore company.
The gih file stores picture image (320x200, mono).
Use RECOIL to open *.gih files.
Probably can be exported to other formats.
