The Core Difference
Microsoft Paint is a 2D raster graphics editor that has shipped with every version of Windows since 1985. Paint 3D was a separate application introduced in 2017 with the Windows 10 Creators Update, designed to bring three-dimensional modeling and mixed-media editing to casual users. The fundamental difference: Paint works strictly in two dimensions on a flat canvas, while Paint 3D added a full 3D workspace where objects have depth, rotation, and spatial positioning.
As of November 2024, Microsoft discontinued Paint 3D. The classic Paint application continues to receive updates and remains a built-in Windows component. Understanding how these two tools differ helps users decide whether to keep using Paint, seek out a Paint 3D alternative, or work with both.
A Brief History of Both Applications
Microsoft Paint (1985 to Present)
Microsoft Paint, originally called Paintbrush, debuted in Windows 1.0 in 1985. It was licensed from ZSoft Corporation and offered basic pixel-level drawing. Over the decades, Paint received gradual updates: color palette expansion, shape tools, text insertion, and eventually ribbon-style menus in Windows 7. In 2023, Microsoft added background removal, layers, and a transparency toggle to Paint, modernizing the app significantly while preserving its lightweight character. Paint remains actively developed and ships with Windows 11.
Paint 3D (2017 to 2024)
Paint 3D launched alongside the Windows 10 Creators Update in April 2017. Microsoft positioned it as the next evolution of Paint, blending 2D drawing with 3D object creation, the Magic Select tool for background removal, and integration with Remix 3D (a community 3D model library that was shut down in 2020). Despite its ambitions, Paint 3D never gained widespread adoption. Microsoft removed it from new Windows 11 installations starting in late 2023 and formally discontinued the application in November 2024. For users who still have it installed, the app continues to function, but it receives no further updates or security patches.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Microsoft Paint | Paint 3D |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Object Creation | Not supported | Full 3D primitives, models, and doodle-to-3D conversion |
| Layers | Yes (added 2023) | No true layer system; objects stack by depth order |
| Brushes | Pencil, fill, airbrush, calligraphy, oil brush, crayon, basic shapes | Marker, calligraphy, oil brush, watercolor, pixel pen, spray can |
| Background Removal | Yes (AI-powered, added 2023) | Yes (Magic Select tool, manual edge refinement) |
| Transparency | Transparent canvas support (added 2023) | Transparent canvas for 2D; 3D scenes render with background |
| File Formats (Save) | PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, HEIC | PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, 3MF, FBX, GLB, STL |
| 3D File Export | Not supported | .3mf, .fbx, .glb, .stl |
| Canvas Manipulation | Resize, crop, rotate (90/180 degree increments), skew | Resize canvas; 3D camera rotation for viewport control |
| Text Tool | 2D text with font, size, color controls | 2D text and 3D extruded text with full rotation |
| Stickers and Textures | Not available | Built-in sticker library, texture wrapping on 3D surfaces |
| Dark Mode | Follows Windows system theme | Not supported |
| Performance | Lightweight, opens instantly | Heavier resource usage due to 3D rendering engine |
| Current Status | Actively updated, ships with Windows 11 | Discontinued November 2024, no further updates |
Where Paint 3D Had the Edge
Paint 3D offered several capabilities that classic Paint still lacks:
- 3D modeling from scratch. Users could create 3D shapes, extrude 2D doodles into 3D objects, and import community-made 3D models. Classic Paint has no 3D workspace at all.
- Magic Select. Before Paint received its own AI background removal tool in 2023, Paint 3D’s Magic Select was the only built-in Windows option for cutting out subjects from images. It allowed manual edge refinement that worked well for clean backgrounds.
- 3D export formats. The ability to save work as .3mf, .fbx, .glb, or .stl files meant users could create assets for 3D printing, game engines, and other 3D workflows. Paint has no equivalent.
- Mixed-media scenes. Paint 3D let users combine 2D images, 3D models, 3D text, and stickers in a single scene with depth control, creating compositions not possible in a flat 2D editor.
For a walkthrough of Paint 3D’s full feature set, visit the complete usage guide.
Where Classic Paint Has the Edge
Microsoft Paint holds several advantages, particularly after its 2023 and 2024 updates:
- Active development. Paint receives regular updates from Microsoft. Features like layers, transparency, AI-powered background removal, and Cocreator (AI image generation) have been added in recent updates.
- Speed and simplicity. Paint launches in under a second and uses minimal system resources. For quick edits, screenshots, or pixel-level work, it remains the fastest option on Windows.
- True layer support. Added in 2023, layers in Paint allow non-destructive editing with independent opacity controls per layer. Paint 3D never offered a proper layer system.
- Familiar interface. The toolbar layout has been refined over 40 years. Most Windows users can navigate Paint without any learning curve.
- HEIC support. Paint handles modern image formats including HEIC, which Paint 3D does not natively support.
When to Use Which Tool
Use Microsoft Paint When
- You need quick image cropping, resizing, or annotation
- You want a lightweight editor for screenshots
- You need layer-based editing for 2D compositions
- You want an app that is actively maintained and updated
- You are working with standard image formats (PNG, JPEG, BMP)
Use Paint 3D When
- You need to create or edit 3D models
- You want to export to 3D file formats (.3mf, .glb, .fbx)
- You need 3D text with rotation and depth
- You are building mixed 2D/3D scenes
- You already have it installed and understand its discontinued status
Current Status and Future
Microsoft Paint is a core Windows 11 component with ongoing development. The 2023-2024 updates brought it closer to feature parity with basic third-party editors by adding layers, transparency, and AI features. It is not going anywhere.
Paint 3D was discontinued in November 2024. Microsoft removed it from the Microsoft Store for new downloads and stopped issuing updates. Users who already have it installed can continue using it, but no bug fixes, security patches, or feature additions will follow. The Remix 3D community library was shut down separately in 2020.
For users who relied on Paint 3D’s 3D capabilities, the path forward involves dedicated 3D tools. See our alternatives guide for free and paid options that replace Paint 3D’s functionality. For general tutorials on Paint 3D while it remains functional, visit the tutorials section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Paint 3D replace Microsoft Paint?
No. Although Microsoft initially considered deprecating Paint in favor of Paint 3D, user backlash led them to reverse course. Both apps coexisted from 2017 until Paint 3D’s discontinuation in 2024. Paint remains the default image editor on Windows.
Can Paint open Paint 3D project files?
Paint cannot open .3mf or other 3D file formats created by Paint 3D. It can only open standard 2D image formats. If you saved a Paint 3D project as a PNG or JPEG, Paint can open that exported image.
Is Paint 3D still safe to use?
Paint 3D still functions if installed, but it no longer receives security patches. For ongoing projects, consider migrating to an actively maintained alternative.
Return to the Paints3D homepage for more guides and resources.