The GIMP project recently published a development update detailing ongoing work towards a new project file format. This new format aims to replace XCF, which has been in use by the image editor for nearly 30 years. According to the update, this constitutes "interesting work that's ongoing toward GIMP 3.4 and future releases," signifying its importance for future development. This initiative addresses a long-standing aspect of GIMP's internal architecture, aiming to modernize its file handling for upcoming enhancements.