What is MIME type "image/x-gimp-gbr"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

image/x-gimp-gbr is a MIME type for files that store brush data. It is used by the GIMP image editor to load and apply custom brush shapes.

This format holds details like brush size, spacing, and texture. The data influences how strokes, textures, and painting effects appear. The prefix x- shows it is a non-standard type but widely adopted by GIMP.

Main use: It defines brush patterns that GIMP uses for digital painting.
Used in brush files like GBR for single brushes.
Also used in package files like GPB that contain multiple brushes.
Helps digital artists achieve consistent effects with custom patterns.

Learn more about GIMP brushes at GIMP official site.

Associated file extensions

.gbr, .gpb

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: image/x-gimp-gbr

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="image/x-gimp-gbr">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'image/x-gimp-gbr');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.gbr, .gpb

FAQs

What kind of data does image/x-gimp-gbr contain?

The MIME type image/x-gimp-gbr represents GIMP Brush files. These binary files contain image data used as a painting tip, along with metadata such as default spacing and name, allowing users to paint with custom shapes in the GIMP editor.

Which applications open files with this MIME type?

Files served as image/x-gimp-gbr are primarily designed for the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). To use them, you typically place the GBR or GPB files into the GIMP application's brushes folder rather than opening them directly like a standard photo.

Do web browsers support rendering image/x-gimp-gbr images?

No, standard web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge cannot natively display GIMP brush files. If a user navigates to a URL pointing to this MIME type, the browser will typically prompt the user to download the file instead of displaying it.

How do I configure my web server to serve GIMP brushes correctly?

To ensure browsers identify the file correctly for download, you should map the extension to the MIME type. For Apache, add AddType image/x-gimp-gbr .gbr to your .htaccess file. For Nginx, add image/x-gimp-gbr gbr; to your mime.types file or server block.

Why does the MIME type start with x-?

The x- prefix indicates that image/x-gimp-gbr is a non-standard type that has not been officially registered with the IANA. It is a proprietary format specific to the GIMP ecosystem, though it is the de facto standard for sharing GIMP brushes.

Can I convert image/x-gimp-gbr files to standard images like PNG?

Yes, you can open the brush file in GIMP and export the visual layer as a PNG or JPEG. However, doing so strips away the functional brush data (like spacing and pressure dynamics), leaving only the static image of the brush shape.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.