Paint 3D

Paint 3D offers an impressive artwork with the help of multiple innovative tools, including shapes, effects, stickers, doodles, and so on. Create eye-catching artistic designs with zero 3D or 2D experience, and are also capable of designing 3D models from scratch and even modifying images taken from the built-in library.

It is the best choice for working with multi-dimensional art, and manages the most challenging 3D modeling within a very short time. It is the successor of the legendary MS Paint app that offers a lot of additional functionality along with all basic features and tools as well. The simple and easy-to-use software helps in editing memes, cropping images, and making the Canvas transparent. Enhance your creativity from basic to advanced level in both classic painting experience and 3D designing as well.

What is Paint 3D?

Paint 3D is an upgraded version of MS Paint developed by Microsoft, specifically designed for Windows 10, and was introduced with Windows 10 Creators Update. In 2016, Microsoft introduced a new hybrid ribbon-sidebar interface with support for 3D objects for the Paint app. However, because of the new design complexity and the absence of some features, users are allowed to use both apps.

It is a retired graphics and 3D computer graphics to offer a lightweight editing experience for hybrid 2D and 3D designing and modeling. It offers creating three-dimensional compositions, and within a plethora of free tools, you can rein your creativity while capturing your ideas on the blank canvas. The user-friendly, organized interface makes your navigation to various outstanding functionalities quick and easy, and streamlines the modeling procedures, editing, and customizing of 3D objects. 

Paint 3D Features

Modern Interface

The sleek and modern interface is with incorporation Fluent Design principles of Windows 10/11, and offers simple-to-use toolbars and graphics. On the top of the screen, you will find a ‘Hamburger menu’ for managing different tasks such as creating new projects, saving them, or opening already existing content from the built-in library, inserting material, publishing, printing, and sharing with others. 

The software offers a straightforward workflow, such as selecting a canvas size, importing an image, or selecting any pre-built 3D model. Use the organized toolbar to streamline your editing process while experimenting with different tools, brushes, and effects. In addition, the toolbar also offers quick controls such as redoing, undoing, and taking a full preview while creating your projects.

Enhanced Capabilities

The development of Paint 3D is basically designed to serve Windows 10 users and is equipped with a plethora of tools and other capabilities. You can use multiple basic navigation tools, including Brushes, Stickers, Text, 2D Shapes, 3D Shapes, Magic Select, Canvas, Effects, 3D View Mode, History Slider, and Mixed Reality. You are also capable of using the 3D Library by Remix 3D, but only available in select markets. 

The availability of eye-catching helps to mimic brushes and pens for applying on both the app’s canvas and 3D designs. A huge collection of sizes and textures is available to manage the foundation and color of your work, and it will take a long time to manage canvassing as well as picking 2D and 3D shapes. It is possible to get your desired appearance while molding, resizing, and refining with the help of a mouse or stylus.

Draw Effortlessly

The software offers services for the creation of 3D modeling, and also offers multiple tools for 2D drawings, such as multiple classic tools, including marker, brush, eraser, spray can, and so on. A large list of colors, thicknesses, textures, and opacity levels is available to select and apply. In addition, multiple basic tools are available, but also lack some important tools and not offer a lot of advanced features as well. In fact, it is designed for new learners for 3D modeling.

3D Doodling

It is another key feature to offer drawing in three dimensions, and transforms 2D sketches into impressive 3D objects. It is the best solution for enhancing your creative instincts within 3D doodling. It is, in fact, a 2D drawing that you have created while adding depth, or inflating like a balloon. The 3D has infinite artistic options. In addition, you are also capable of exporting, printing, and sharing your created 3D models, as Microsoft has managed the entire process more reliably with the integration of multiple social media apps.

Basic Animation

The software is also equipped with multiple basic animation features, although you can’t create huge videos, you but generate animation videos up to several seconds. It would be great fun to share your creativity with your friends and on other social media platforms. It helps create both 3D models and 2D drawings, and also possible to save them within multiple formats, including GIF, MP4, etc. However, it offers service at a beginner level, and you can’t expect any complicated movements from your models.

Magic Select

It is one of the innovative capabilities to allow the modification of foreground and background subjects, as well as the features that enable you to transform your 2D drawings into 3D models. The one-click wizard can be run through a tiny toolbar right from the bottom of the main window. You can use the app not only through a standard keyboard and mouse-based setup, but also use it on a touch screen or pen-capable computer.

Beginner-friendly

The tool is beginner-friendly while offering a simple workflow, as the available tools aren’t complicated, and even basic shapes are simple and easy to modify. It means it lacks advanced features, and the tool doesn’t have detailed 3D modeling for a cinematic production, so professionals probably wouldn’t like to adopt it.

Magical Color Tools

You will find a huge collection of basic and semi-advanced art tools, including a Calligraphy pen, Brushes like Marker, Oil Brush, Pixel Pen, Crayon, Fill to paint, Pencil, Watercolor, and also shapes, text, and effects. It allows you to enhance creativity while using these brushes and color the canvas. The huge collection of colors enables users to select their favorite colors and other options, such as selecting the line thickness and opacity. 

Stickers & Textures

An awesome stickers and textures option has also been added that allows you to import your favorite stickers, and also use the “Customize stickers” feature for transforming your images into a sticker. The feature helps to make your image editing outstanding while wrapping itself around the created object. 

Predefined 3D Collection

We need shapes, lines, curves, and other such materials to start painting and drawing. So, the software offers an awesome, huge predefined library equipped with a lot of pre-made 3D models such as flowers, animals, birds, futuristic structures, and so on. You are free to use such predefined material in the way you like, such as editing it to create something new, or simply using it to create your own masterpiece. 

Flexible Workspace

The workspace available for drawing and painting your projects is called Canvas, which offers a lot of flexibility while allowing you to turn it on or off, and transparent. It is also resizable, so you can change the size by percentage or by pixel according to your preferences. It will allow you to make changes more reliably. However, the tool lacks image correction tools, so you can’t fix unwanted things related to your photos, such as red eye, blurred edges, etc. 

How to Download and Install Paint 3D on Windows

Here are the main steps to download and install Paint 3D on your Windows PC;

1. Launch your web browser, Microsoft Edge, and navigate to the official website.

2. Move to the download page, and press the “INSTALL” button to start the downloading process.

3. You are directed to the Windows Store App automatically, and the downloading process will start in the background.

4. After completing the download, the installation of Paint 3D will start and will be completed within a few minutes.

5. After installation, it will be available in the “All Programs” list, and you can access it using the “Start menu”.

6. Click the “Start menu”, select the Paint 3D app, and click to open it.

7. Use your Microsoft account to log in to start using the app.

8. Proceed to the main screen by clicking the sign-in button, and open a new file to create your project. Simply click the “New” option and move ahead.

9. After completing the entire procedure, you can use different tools while importing from the toolbar, and good to go according to your preferences.

System Requirements

• Windows 11/10 operating system (Creators Update or later)
• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: 2 GB or more
• Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Storage: 16 GB of free space

Some Best Alternatives to Paint 3D

Blender

It is another free and open-source 3D feature-enriched utility that offers multiple basic as well as advanced capabilities. You can draw and paint images with ease while selecting tools from the available library

SketchUp

Use enhanced 3D built-in modeling to create architectural and product designs within the user-friendly interface.

Piktochart

It is an AI-powered tool used for creating eye-catching visual content, including reports, infographics, presentations, and so on. It is a simple, easy-to-use, and lightweight utility. You need only to give prompts, and get an awesome visual outcome within a few seconds. 

Lucidpress

It is a web-based design tool to offer quick creation and collaboration for various types of visual content, including flyers, presentations, brochures, newsletters, and so on. The user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality makes everything quickly accessible. 

BeFuncky 

It is an all-in-one online solution to offer enhanced creativity for your photo editing, graphic design, and collage making. You can easily simplify your creation process while cropping, resizing, adding filters, and batch editing as well. It also offers background remover, artsy filters, and predefined design customizable. 

GMIP

GNU Image Manipulation Program, or commonly known as GIMP, is a free and open-source utility that offers awesome creativity for your visual content. You can edit and create outstanding images to share with others. An extensive library of tools is available for your ease, and continue your image editing journey.

Differentiate Between Paint 3D and MS Paint

MS Paint

• 2D painting is capable with a flat surface, and works like making art on a sheet
• It is simply drawing in 2D and image manipulation
• It offers simple tools, including a basic pencil, eraser, fill, shapes, and text
• The interface is classic and keyboard/mouse-friendly
• There are no layers

Paint 3D

• It offers multi-dimensional art while allowing you to wrap textures around objects
• It is possible to rotate, change lighting angles, and stack the objects easily
• It offers an updated interface for creating 3D objects, and even 2D editing
• It offers multiple tools including 3D brushes, 3D shapes, stickers, effects, and in-built 3D library
• The modern interface within sidebar tools, easily run by touchable devices, and also with a mouse and keyboard
• Resizable canvas, Magic Select tool, 3D layering, and pressure sensitivity for styluses

FAQs

Is it possible to import existing 2D and 3D files to Paint 3D?

Yes, it is possible to import 2D images within multi-format support, such as JPEG, PNG, and BMP, and 3D files within FBX and 3MF formats

Does Paint 3D allow a collaboration feature?

Unfortunately, the software doesn’t have a real-time collaboration feature, but you can save as well as share your project with others for further discussion.

What are the supported formats for exporting the created content?

2D: JPEG, PNG, BMP, or GIF

3D: 3MF and STL

Is there any advanced functionality available?

The software is basically designed as beginner-friendly, so it is equipped with all simple and basic features. However, you will find some advanced features such as layers, textures, and customizing 3D models.

Is it possible to print 3D creations?

Yes, you can use compatible 3D printers

Pros

• Simple and beginner-friendly interface
• Enhanced creative experience within 3D doodling
• Offers Magic Select to manage everything on the canvas
• In-built library for 3D modeling
• Support touch screen and keyboard, and mouse
• Create animation and save with support for GIF and MP4 formats

Cons

• Advanced features are limited
• Lack of real-time collaboration features
• Not suitable for professionals