The Save a Copy command does the same thing as the Save command, but with one important difference. It always asks for a file name and saves the image into the XCF file format, but it does not change the name of the active image or mark it as « clean ». As a result, if you try to delete the image, or exit from GIMP, you are informed that the image is « dirty » and given an opportunity to save it.

This command is useful when you want to save a copy of your image in its current state, but continue to work with the original file without interruption.