Paint 3D
Paint 3D is a free 3D modeling and creative application developed by Microsoft as the modern successor to the classic Microsoft Paint (MS Paint). Whether you’re a beginner exploring digital art or a creative enthusiast looking to build 3D models, doodles, and designs, Paint 3D offers an intuitive canvas to bring your ideas to life, right from your Windows PC.
What Is Paint 3D?
Paint 3D is a free graphic design and 3D creation application built by Microsoft and first introduced alongside the Windows 10 Creators Update in 2017. It combines the simplicity of the original MS Paint with powerful new 3D object creation tools, enabling users to create, edit, and share both 2D artwork and 3D models without any professional software or experience.
Unlike traditional graphic editors like Adobe Photoshop or CorelDRAW, Paint 3D is designed for everyone, from students and teachers to hobbyists and casual creators. It runs natively on Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, laptops, and compatible Microsoft Surface devices.
Key Features of Paint 3D
Paint 3D is packed with tools and creative features that make 3D design accessible to all users. Here’s what makes it stand out:
1. 2D and 3D Canvas
Paint 3D provides both a 2D flat canvas and a 3D workspace, allowing users to seamlessly switch between traditional drawing and 3D modeling. You can draw shapes, sketch freehand, and then extrude objects into the 3D space with a single click.
2. 3D Shapes & Models
Create 3D objects from scratch using built-in geometric shapes such as cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, and donuts. You can also use the 3D Doodle tool to freeform sculpt custom 3D shapes with sharp or soft edges.
3. Brushes & Art Tools
Paint 3D includes a variety of digital brushes:
- Marker
- Calligraphy Pen
- Oil Brush
- Watercolor
- Pixel Pencil
- Spray Can
- Eraser
Each brush can be applied to both 2D surfaces and directly onto 3D objects for texturing and coloring.
4. 3D Library & Remix 3D Integration
Access thousands of pre-built 3D models from the built-in 3D library (formerly powered by Remix 3D, Microsoft’s 3D content community). You can import models of animals, people, text, and objects directly into your project.
5. Magic Select Tool
The Magic Select tool works like an intelligent background remover. It lets you select and cut out specific parts of an image, remove backgrounds, and create stickers or PNG cutouts, similar to features found in Adobe Photoshop or Remove.bg.
6. Stickers & Textures
Apply stickers, textures, and decals to both flat and 3D surfaces. Choose from pre-loaded designs or import your own custom images as texture wraps for 3D models.
7. Lighting & Effects
Control the lighting environment around your 3D scene. Adjust light direction and intensity to add depth and realism to your creations.
8. Canvas Settings & Transparency
Resize your canvas, enable transparent canvas for creating PNG images with no background, and adjust aspect ratios for different output needs.
9. 3D View & Animation
Rotate and view your 3D creations from any angle in real-time. You can also record a video of the 3D view rotation to create simple animated presentations of your models.
10. Multiple Export Formats
Save and export your projects in various formats:
- PNG (with transparency support)
- JPEG
- BMP
- GIF
- TIFF
- 3MF (3D Manufacturing Format)
- FBX (Filmbox – for use in 3D animation software)
- GLB (GL Transmission Format Binary)
Download Paint 3D on Windows 10 & Windows 11
Paint 3D is available as a free download. Here’s how to get it:
System Requirements for Paint 3D
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (version 1703 or later), Windows 11 |
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster (x86/x64 compatible) |
| RAM | 1 GB (32-bit) / 2 GB (64-bit) |
| Storage | ~200 MB free disk space |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver |
| Display | 800 × 600 resolution minimum |
| Internet | Required for 3D library access and updates |
| Price | Free |
Paint 3D vs. Microsoft Paint (MS Paint) : What’s the Difference?
Many users wonder about the difference between Paint 3D and classic MS Paint. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | MS Paint | Paint 3D |
|---|---|---|
| 2D Drawing | Yes | Yes |
| 3D Object Creation | No | Yes |
| Magic Select / Background Removal | No | Yes |
| Brushes & Textures | Basic | Advanced |
| 3D Model Library | No | Yes |
| Transparent Canvas (PNG) | No | Yes |
| Export to 3D Formats (FBX, 3MF, GLB) | No | Yes |
| Layers | No | Limited (Stickers) |
| Price | Free | Free |
While MS Paint remains a beloved, lightweight tool for quick sketches and basic edits, Paint 3D is the more powerful option for anyone looking to explore three-dimensional design, image editing, and creative projects.
What Can You Create with Paint 3D?
Paint 3D opens up a world of creative possibilities. Here are popular use cases:
- 3D Art & Illustrations: Build colorful 3D scenes and artwork.
- School & College Projects: Create engaging 3D presentations and visual assignments.
- Logo & Icon Design: Design simple logos and 3D icons.
- 3D Text & Typography: Add dimension to text for banners and social media graphics.
- Image Background Removal: Use Magic Select to create transparent PNGs.
- Meme & Sticker Creation: Cut out images and make custom stickers.
- Game Asset Prototyping: Build quick 3D models for game mockups.
- 3D Printing Preparation: Export models in 3MF format compatible with 3D printers and Microsoft 3D Builder.
How to Use Paint 3D (Quick Start Guide)
Step 1: Open Paint 3D
Launch the app from the Start Menu or search “Paint 3D” in the Windows search bar.
Step 2: Choose Your Canvas
Start with a blank canvas, open an existing image, or paste content from your clipboard.
Step 3: Use the Toolbar
The top toolbar contains your main tools:
- Brushes: For freehand drawing and coloring
- 2D Shapes: Rectangles, circles, arrows, stars, etc.
- 3D Shapes: Cubes, spheres, 3D doodles
- Stickers: Emoji, decals, textures
- Text: 2D and 3D text insertion
- Effects: Lighting and color filters
- Canvas: Resize and transparency settings
Step 4: Create and Edit
Draw, model, and design using the tools. Rotate 3D objects by clicking and dragging. Apply colors, textures, and stickers to surfaces.
Step 5: Save & Export
Go to Menu > Save As and choose your desired format: PNG, JPEG, 3D model (FBX, GLB, 3MF), or video.
Is Paint 3D Being Discontinued?
In 2023, Microsoft announced that it would be removing Paint 3D from the default pre-installed apps on Windows 11. However, Paint 3D has not been fully discontinued, it remains available as a free download from the Microsoft Store. Users can still install, use, and enjoy all features of Paint 3D on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Microsoft has been shifting focus toward integrating AI-powered features into Microsoft Paint (like Cocreator with DALL-E integration) and Microsoft Designer, but Paint 3D continues to be a reliable tool for 3D creation and basic image editing.
Paint 3D Alternatives
If you’re looking for similar tools, here are some popular Paint 3D alternatives:
| Software | Platform | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free | Professional 3D modeling & animation |
| Tinkercad | Web-based | Free | Beginner-friendly 3D design & 3D printing |
| SketchUp Free | Web-based | Free | Architectural & product 3D modeling |
| SculptGL | Web-based | Free | Digital sculpting |
| Microsoft 3D Builder | Windows | Free | Viewing & editing 3D models for printing |
| MagicaVoxel | Windows, Mac | Free | Voxel art & 3D pixel-style modeling |
| GIMP | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free | 2D image editing (Photoshop alternative) |
| Krita | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free | Digital painting & illustration |
While these alternatives offer their own strengths, Paint 3D’s unique advantage lies in its simplicity, you don’t need any training to start creating 3D content immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Paint 3D free to use?
Yes. Paint 3D is 100% free. There are no premium versions, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.
Can I use Paint 3D on Windows 11?
Yes. Although it may not come pre-installed on newer Windows 11 builds, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store.
Can I use Paint 3D on Mac or Linux?
No. Paint 3D is a Windows-exclusive application. Mac and Linux users can explore alternatives like Blender or Tinkercad.
Can I use Paint 3D for 3D printing?
Yes. You can export your 3D creations in 3MF format, which is compatible with most 3D printers and slicing software.
Does Paint 3D support layers?
Paint 3D doesn’t have a traditional layer system like Photoshop. However, you can place multiple 3D objects and stickers that function similarly to layers.
Can I remove image backgrounds with Paint 3D?
Yes. The Magic Select tool allows you to select a subject and remove the background, saving it as a transparent PNG file.
What file formats does Paint 3D support?
Paint 3D supports PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF for 2D images and 3MF, FBX, GLB for 3D models.
Is Paint 3D the same as MS Paint?
No. MS Paint is the classic 2D drawing tool included with Windows since 1985. Paint 3D is a separate, more advanced application with 3D modeling capabilities, launched in 2017.
Has Microsoft stopped supporting Paint 3D?
Microsoft removed Paint 3D from the default Windows 11 installation in 2023, but it is still available for free download from the Microsoft Store and continues to function on supported systems.