The program also allows you to get images from the internet and edit it any way you want; after copying them on the Paint canvas. Paint or Paint 3D app on Windows 11 is so popular still, a comprehensive guide is necessary if you truly want to master MS Paint. Our guide to Paint for Windows 11 users covers everything from various methods of launching MS Paint or Paint 3D to necessary keyboard shortcuts.
What is Microsoft Paint?
What is Microsoft Paint?
Microsoft Paint is a simple graphics editor. It is a part of the Windows OS and is accessible to every Windows user. The program can also save files in different formats, such as bitmap (BMP), JPEG, GIF, PNG, and single-page TIFF. Multiple tools for reshaping images are also available.
What are the Uses and Limitations of the Paint App?
What are the Uses and Limitations of the Paint App?
The paint app on Windows OS is considered one of the best primary graphics editing tools. It has some genuine uses and certain limitations.
Uses of the Paint App
Microsoft Paint is an essential program used for drawing and creating different shapes. This Windows default tool is generally used for inserting screenshots from various applications, basic edits, and changing image formats. The best part is Microsoft Paint is free, and you do not have to pay for any updates, bug fixes, or that sort of thing. Regarding tools, MS Paint has a set of small brushes, pencils, and other drawing tools. These are sufficient for a primary tool capable of simple image manipulations. It is also capable of overlaying texts on top of images. Most importantly, this is a tool for beginners. If you want to learn image editing or editing as a whole, you should start with MS Paint. Paint also enables you to draw basic shapes, crop, resize and support multiple formats such as JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG, and more. Paint has tools like an eraser, eyedropper, pencil, magnifier, paintbrush, and spray. The accessibility is also great. Although, there are limited tool all of them are accessible from the main toolbar on top.
Limitations of the Paint App
While MS Paint is great and all, it has some severe limitations. First and foremost, this is a basic editing tool with basic capabilities. MS Paint doesn’t support multiple layers. You can’t create an image from scratch using layers. It is also not capable of adding new elements, recovering original work. Paint also doesn’t have any filters or retouching tools. If you are coming from a professional editing tool and want to use Paint for a day, your work will suffer. MS Paint doesn’t have a dedicated Smudge tool. The program is also missing several brush shapes considered essential by many professional digital illustrators. The program also doesn’t support other operating systems. Overall, Microsoft Paint is not bad. It is a great starting point. But from the perspective of a photo editing tool, it doesn’t work.
Launch Paint and Paint 3D App in Windows 11
Launch Paint and Paint 3D App in Windows 11
Let’s begin the article with various ways to launch the Paint app on Windows 11. Yes, there are multiple ways to access the app, and we will show you how. So, here are all the ways to open Paint.
Open Paint Using Search in Windows 11
The Windows Search bar is probably the most convenient way to locate any application. You can use it to search and launch Paint.
Open Paint from the Start Menu in Windows 11
You can also launch Paint from the Start Menu. Here are the steps.
Open Paint Using the RUN Command in Windows 11
You can also use the RUN command to launch the Paint app on Windows 11.
Manage and Resize Paint and Paint 3D Canvas in Windows 11
Manage and Resize Paint and Paint 3D Canvas in Windows 11
After launching the Paint and Paint 3D app on Windows 11, you would like to use it, and the first step is to resize the Canvas. You should know that the canvas in Paint and Paint 3D is the part of the page that holds your image or object. So, the procedure to resize the canvas to save or edit in Paint is essential, along with the use of tools like Rulers, Gridlines, or Status Bar.
Resizing Paint Canvas
There are two ways to resize the Paint canvas. You can do it from the Image Properties option or directly with your mouse. Both procedures are detailed below.
From Image Properties
With the Mouse Cursor
You can also use the mouse cursor for Paint canvas adjustment besides doing it from the Image Properties. Hover the mouse cursor on the Canvas bottom at the right corner of the Paint window, and wait until it turns into a two-headed arrow. After that, you can resize the canvas. Hold the left click; if you drag it downwards, the canvas size will increase, and dragging it upward will decrease the canvas size.
Resize Canvas in Paint 3D
If you want to increase the size of the canvas on Paint 3D, click the Zoom in icon (+), while you can use the Zoom out icon (–) to decrease the size of the Paint 3D canvas.
Add Rulers, Gridlines, or the Status Bar in Paint
Now, it’s time to add Rulers, Gridlines, or the Status Bar in Microsoft Paint. These features are disabled by default except for the Status Bar but enabling them is not a hard task. You can easily enable or disable Rulers, Gridlines, and Status Bar from the View tab. The View tab is on the header of the Paint app. Click it to access the options. A Checkmark sign should be visible beside them if the options are already enabled.
Draw Free Lines and Shapes in Paint and Paint 3D in Windows 11
Draw Free Lines and Shapes in Paint and Paint 3D in Windows 11
After launching and resizing the canvas on the Paint and Paint 3D apps in Windows 11, it is time to draw on it. The following guide details how to draw free lines and shapes in the Paint app.
Draw Free Lines in Paint
If you truly want to learn to draw on MS Paint, you should be aware of all its features. Let’s start with the basics; drawing free lines and adding shapes. So, to start drawing lines on MS Paint, you need to choose the colors for the lines. Paint provides two sets of colors. Color 1 is set to Black by default, and Color 2 is set to White by default. But you can change these selections easily. Use left-click on Color 1 to change it from the wide array of color palettes available in MS Paint. Similarly, the right-click works for Color 2. Besides the lines, you can also change the color of the Paint canvas. Use the following steps.
Draw Free Lines in Paint 3D
You can also draw free lines in Paint 3D. Here are the steps.
Draw Shapes in Paint
It is not enough just to know to draw the free lines on MS Paint. It would help if you learned to draw the shapes too.
Draw Shapes in Paint 3D
Besides free lines, you can use Paint 3D shapes on Windows 11. You can draw two types of shape 2D shape or 3D shape. Follow the steps below to draw shapes in Paint 3D.
2D Shapes in Paint 3D
Let’s start with 2D shapes.
3D Shapes in Paint 3D
After 2D shapes, it is time to move on to the 3D shapes. Creating 3D shapes is a key feature of the Paint 3D application.
Erase Object in Paint and Paint 3D in Windows 11
Erase Object in Paint and Paint 3D in Windows 11
Just knowing to draw the free lines or shapes on Paint isn’t enough. You also need to know to erase them if the situation calls for it.
Add Texts in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Add Texts in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Adding text in Paint and Paint 3D is not a difficult task. Both applications have a dedicated text feature that lets you add text of your choice and color anywhere on the canvas.
Add Texts in Paint on Windows 11
Adding text in Paint is easy. The editing app has a dedicated text tool. Here are the steps to use it.
Add Texts in Paint 3D on Windows 11
As you may have guessed, you can also add text in the Paint 3D app. Here’s how to do it.
Text Formatting Tools in Paint/Paint 3D on Windows 11
If you also want to know to use the Text Formatting Tools on MS Paint, check the following guide.
Copy And Paste Images into Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Copy And Paste Images into Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Copy and Paste images on the Paint and Paint 3D interface is not a difficult task. Check out the detailed steps for both Paint and the Paint 3D apps below.
Copy and Paste Images into Paint
Here are the steps to copy and paste images in Paint on Windows 11.
Copy and Paste Images into Paint 3D
You can also copy and paste images on the Paint 3D interface. The best part about copying and pasting images in Paint 3D is that it is easier to use compared to MS Paint. You just have to right-click on the target image and choose the Copy option. The image will be copied to the clipboard. Now, you can paste it anywhere on the Paint 3D canvas with another right-click.
Open Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Open Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Here’s how to open images in Paint and Paint 3D applications on Windows 11, respectively.
Open Images in Paint
After copying and pasting images in the Paint and Paint 3D interface, it is time to open images in Paint. Check out the steps below.
Open Images in Paint 3D
Follow the steps below to open images in the Paint 3D application on your Windows 11 computer.
Delete Objects in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Delete Objects in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Now, it is time to delete objects in Paint and Paint 3D. Please, check the detailed steps below.
Delete Objects in Paint
The following steps show how to delete objects in MS Paint.
Delete Objects in Paint 3D
You can also delete objects in the Paint 3D application by using the following steps.
Merge Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Merge Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Merging two images is one of the most exciting features and you can do it on Paint, and Paint 3D.
Merge Images in Paint
Here are the steps for merging two images in MS Paint. The process is a bit complicated. Read the steps carefully.
Merge Pictures in Paint 3D
Here are the steps to merge images in the Paint 3D application.
Resize, Crop, and Rotate Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Resize, Crop, and Rotate Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Most people use MS Paint and Paint 3D for editing images. That means resizing, cropping, and rotating or flipping images. Check out the following part to learn all these.
Resize an Image in Paint
Let’s start with resizing an image in MS Paint.
Resize an Image in Paint 3D
After Paint, it is time to resize images in Paint 3D.
Crop Image in Paint
After resizing, it is time to crop the image in MS Paint.
Crop Image in Paint 3D
The cropping tool in Paint 3D is well beyond what is offered by MS Paint. It is an advanced tool. Check out the steps for it below.
Rotate or Flip an Image in Paint
You can also flip or rotate an image on MS Paint. It involves a few simple steps. Check them out below.
Rotate or Flip Images in Paint 3D
Follow the steps below to rotate or flip images in Paint 3D on Windows 11.
Save Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Save Images in Paint and Paint 3D on Windows 11
Just resizing and editing the image on MS Paint and Paint 3D is not enough, you have to know how to save your work. Otherwise; you may lose all your progress due to unforeseen circumstances.
Save Images in Paint
Follow the steps below to save images in MS Paint. It’s an easy process.
Save Images in Paint 3D
Saving images in Paint 3D is also an easy process, but a little different from what you have learned on MS Paint.
Print in Paint And Paint 3D on Windows 11
Print in Paint And Paint 3D on Windows 11
We already went through most of the main features of the Paint and Paint 3D applications. You can also use Paint to print images. However, this feature is used by a very limited number of people. Still, this is an important feature. So, let’s check out the steps.
Print in Paint on Windows 11
Printing an image using the MS Paint app is not a difficult task. The steps are as follows.
Print in Paint 3D on Windows 11
If you can print images in Paint, you can also do the same in Paint 3D. Check out the steps below.
Send A Paint and Paint 3D Image Via Email on Windows 11
Send A Paint and Paint 3D Image Via Email on Windows 11
Finally, after resizing, cropping, merging, flipping, rotating, and saving the image on MS Paint and Paint 3D, the last feature remains sending the Paint images via email.
Email A Paint or Paint 3D Image Using Copy and Paste Method
You will find the process of sending paint images via email similar to how we usually send images through email apps. We will use the Windows 11 default email application for this purpose. So, follow the steps below to send images via email using the copy-and-paste method.
Email A Paint or Paint 3D Image By Inserting the Image
You have already learned to send a Paint or Paint 3D image via email using the copy-and-paste method. But there’s another way to do it. It is by inserting the image. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it. We will be using the Windows 11 Mail app for this purpose as we did in the previous method. But you can use the procedure on other email apps.
Set A Paint Image As Desktop Background in Windows 11
Set A Paint Image As Desktop Background in Windows 11
This is a bit outside the realm of the Paint guide. But You should know how to set the image you spent so long perfecting as your desktop background.
Microsoft Paint Keyboard Shortcuts
Microsoft Paint Keyboard Shortcuts
You already know all there is to know about MS Paint and its operation. However, you should learn the keyboard shortcuts for Paint. It will enhance your Paint experience. Let’s check them out.
Is Microsoft Paint Available In Windows 11?
Absolutely! The first version of Paint was introduced in the November of 1985 with Windows 1.0. It was launched as a competitor to Macintosh’s MacPaint. After that, MS Paint was available in every interaction of Microsoft Windows, including Windows 11.
When Did Paint 3D Come Out?
Paint 3D was launched on 5th April 2017 with the 1703 version of Microsoft Windows 10.
How many times can you undo in Paint?
Most users have no idea, but there’s a limit to how many times you can undo in Paint. You can do it three times.
Did Microsoft replace Paint?
The answer is Paint 3D. But Microsoft didn’t replace Paint. It is still available alongside Paint 3D. Both Paint and Paint 3D has become standard Windows application.
Is Microsoft Paint Free?
Yes, Microsoft Paint is free. It is a default graphics editor tool on Windows OS.
Final Words
Final Words
So, this is our complete guide to Paint for Windows 11. You see, Microsoft Paint is a great tool. It has what it takes to be the best preliminary image editing tool. But as simple as it is, the program has quite a few tools, and proper navigation through them is necessary if you truly want to know MS Paint and Paint 3D. Particularly, we have Paint’s most useful features or tools in this guide. You should go through the guide carefully to learn all the options and features of this basic graphics editing tool. Now, you shouldn’t come across any issues while using Paint or Paint 3D. Still, you will need time to get used to it.
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