Krita 5.3 and 6.0: Qt 6 updates and text

# Krita 5.3 and Experimental 6.0: Key Updates for Digital Painting

Stable Krita 5.3 and experimental Krita 6.0 built on Qt 6 are now available. Krita 5.3 is ready for production environments, while 6.0 is for testing. Both versions share the core codebase but differ in their tech stack: Qt 5 versus Qt 6. This C++ project using Qt, licensed under GPLv3, is designed for multilayer image processing, color model management, and digital painting tools.

Previous releases: 5.2.9 (January 2025), 5.2.10 (July 2025), 5.2.14 (December 2025), 5.2.15 (January 2026). Krita has been in development for over 11 years, offering features for professionals and hobbyists alike.

Installation: AppImage for Linux, APK for ChromeOS/Android (experimental), binaries for macOS/Windows.

Text System Overhaul

Text can now be edited directly on the canvas with full keyboard and IME support. New features:

• Text wrapping around shapes.
• Follow path.
• Full OpenType support.

This simplifies creating typography in illustrations and comics without external editors.

Tool and Filter Improvements

The Fill tool now includes a gap-closing mode for uneven lines. The Liquify mode in Transform has been sped up. A new comic panel tool splits and merges vector objects.

New filters added:

• Color propagation.
• Transparency reset.

Blend modes adapted for HDR. The recording panel captures in real time. Brushes, assistants, and selections have been optimized.

Format and Platform Support

Compatibility expanded:

• Radiance RGBE HDR.
• JPEG-XL (improved).
• PSD: text object import, extended properties.

Krita 6.0 introduces native Wayland support on Linux: color management protocol for HDR, 10-bit color, and fractional scaling. Requires a compatible compositor like KWin (latest version). Early access version—bugs possible due to Qt 6.

Development and Recommendations

26 developers contributed to the release. Bugs fixed, interface updated. Wayland development is in early stages.

Key points:

• Krita 5.3 — stable for work, Qt 5.
• Krita 6.0 — testing, Qt 6, Wayland/HDR.
• Full on-canvas text system with OpenType.
• New tools: fill with gap closing, comic panels.
• Formats: HDR RGBE, improved PSD/JPEG-XL.

— Editorial Team