Microsoft Paint 3D Official App – Free Download for Windows

What is Microsoft paint 3D?

Paint 3D is a free program from Microsoft that includes both basic and advanced art tools. Not only can you use brushes, shapes, text, and effects to create unique 2D art, but as the name suggests, you can also build 3D objects.

The tools are easily accessible for users of any experience level (i.e., you don’t need to be an expert in 3D design to know how to use it). Plus, it’s also perfectly functional as a 2D program and works much like the classic Paint program, only with more advanced features and an updated user interface.

Key Features

There are the detailed features of Microsoft Paint 3D, organized with headings:

1. 3D Object Creation and Editing

3D Paint allows users to create, modify, and customize 3D models easily. You can start from scratch or import existing 3D objects, then resize, rotate, and manipulate them using simple tools. The app provides brushes, erasers, and other editing tools to refine your 3D creations.

2. Rich Library of 3D Models and Stickers

The app includes access to a vast library of pre made 3D objects, characters, and stickers. Users can browse and insert these models into their projects, saving time and inspiring creativity. These can be further personalized with colors, textures, and effects.

3. 2D Drawing and Editing

In addition to 3D capabilities, it supports traditional 2D drawing and editing. You can create detailed sketches, add artistic effects, and combine 2D images with 3D objects for mixed media projects.

4. Text and Effects

Users can add customizable text to their projects, choosing from various fonts and styles. The app also offers filters, lighting effects, and shading options to enhance the visual appeal of both 2D and 3D elements.

5. Animation and Scene Building

Paint 3D allows for simple animations by positioning 3D objects in scenes and adjusting their movement or rotation over time. This feature is useful for storytelling, presentations, and creative experiments.

6. Intuitive User Interface

The app features a clean, user friendly interface designed for ease of use. Tools are organized logically, making it accessible for beginners while still offering advanced options for experienced users.

7. Sharing and Exporting

Projects created in Paint 3D can be easily shared via social media, email, or saved in various formats such as PNG, JPEG, or 3MF. The app also supports exporting 3D models for use in other 3D applications or printing.

8. Integration with Windows Ecosystem

It integrates seamlessly with other Windows features, including the Windows Mixed Reality platform, OneDrive cloud storage, and the Photos app, enabling a smooth workflow across different tools and devices.

9. Free Download and Updates

Paint 3D is available for free from the Microsoft Store, with regular updates that add new features, models, and improvements, ensuring the app remains current and functional.

These features make Microsoft 3D Paint a powerful yet accessible tool for digital art, 3D modeling, and creative projects.

Paint 3D vs Popular Free Alternatives

Software	Skill Level	Best For	Platform
Paint 3D	Beginner	Simple 2D & 3D creation	Windows
Blender	Advanced	Professional 3D modeling & animation	Windows, macOS, Linux
Tinkercad	Beginner	Simple CAD & 3D printing	Web based
SketchUp Free	Beginner–Intermediate	Architecture & modeling	Web based
FreeCAD	Intermediate	Engineering & product design	Windows, macOS, Linux

Is Microsoft 3D Paint Still Supported in 2026?

Microsoft Paint 3D is no longer actively developed by Microsoft. While the app is still available for free download from the Microsoft Store, it is considered a deprecated application, meaning it does not receive major feature updates. Microsoft now focuses more on classic Paint enhancements and other creative tools. It continues to work on Windows 10 and Windows 11, but users looking for long term or advanced 3D projects should consider alternative software.

Paint 3D vs MS Classic Paint

Purpose And Focus

MS Paint: A simple, basic image editing tool designed primarily for 2D raster graphics, illustrations, and simple editing tasks.

3D Paint: An advanced version that extends beyond 2D editing, focusing on 3D object creation, editing, and mixed media projects.

Interface and User Experience

MS Paint: Very straightforward, minimalistic interface with basic tools like brushes, shapes, text, and color fill.

3D Paint: Modern, user friendly interface with additional menus for 3D models, stickers, effects, and more advanced options.

Tools and Features

MS Paint

Basic drawing tools: brushes, pencil, fill bucket, eraser.

Simple shapes: rectangle, circle, line, polygon.

Text insertion.

Basic cropping, resizing, and color selection.

Limited to 2D raster graphics.

Paint 3D

All MS Paint tools plus:

3D Object Creation & Editing: Build, modify, and manipulate 3D models.

3D Library & Stickers: Access to pre made 3D models, characters, and stickers.

2D & 3D Integration: Combine 2D drawings with 3D objects.

Effects & Filters: Apply lighting, shading, and textures to 3D models.

Animation & Scene Building: Create simple animations by positioning objects.

File Formats Supported

MS Paint: PNG, BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF.

Paint 3D: Supports all MS Paint formats plus 3D specific formats like 3MF, OBJ, and GLTF for 3D printing and modeling.

Use Cases

MS Paint

Quick edits and simple drawings.

Basic image annotation.

Creating simple graphics or icons.

3D Paint

3D modeling and design.

Artistic projects combining 2D and 3D.

Creative scene building and animations.

Preparing models for 3D printing.

Availability

MS Paint: Included with Windows since early versions; basic and lightweight.

Paint 3D: Introduced with Windows 10, available via Microsoft Store; more modern and feature rich.

How To Download The Microsoft Paint 3D?

Download from Microsoft Store

If 3D is not installed or you want to reinstall:

Step by Step Instructions:

• Open Microsoft Store
• Click on the Start Menu.
• Type Microsoft Store and press Enter.
• Alternatively, click on the Microsoft Store icon if it’s pinned to your taskbar.
• Search for Paint 3d
• In the Microsoft Store search bar, type 3D Paint.
• Select Paint 3D from the search results.
• Download and Install
• Click on the Get button.

Wait for the download and installation process to complete.

Once installed, you can launch Paint 3D from the Start Menu or by searching for it.

Common Problems And Fixes

3d Paint not opening:
Update Windows and graphics drivers, then reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store.

Lag or slow performance:
Reduce model complexity and close background applications.

3D library not loading:
Check your internet connection and Microsoft account sign in status.

Export errors:
Ensure the correct file format is selected and sufficient storage space is available.

How To Install Microsoft 3d Paint?

There are steps to install Microsoft paint 3D:

• Open the Start Menu
• Type “Microsoft Store” and open the Microsoft Store app
• In the search bar, type “Paint 3d”
• Select “3D” from the search results
• Click on the “Get” button to download and install
• Wait for the installation to complete
• Once installed, open it from the Start Menu or search for it.

Pros	Cons
Free to download and use	No longer actively developed by Microsoft
Beginner friendly and easy to learn	Limited advanced 3D modeling tools
Lightweight and runs smoothly on most PCs	Not suitable for professional 3D workflows
Supports both 2D drawing and basic 3D modeling	No advanced animation or rendering features
Built in 3D model and sticker library	Fewer customization options than dedicated 3D software
Clean and intuitive user interface	Feature set is relatively basic
Supports common 2D and 3D file formats	May struggle with complex or large 3D models
Seamless integration with Windows tools	Limited future updates and improvements

Who Should Use Microsoft Paint 3D?

Microsoft Paint 3D is best suited for:

• Students and teachers for educational projects
• Beginners exploring basic 3D design concepts
• Casual users who need simple 2D and 3D edits
• Hobbyists preparing basic models for 3D printing
• Users who want an easy alternative to complex 3D software

Common Use Cases

3D Paint can be used for a variety of creative tasks, including:

• School and classroom projects
• Simple 3D object creation and visualization
• Logo mockups and concept designs
• Educational diagrams and presentations
• Basic 3D printing model preparation
• Social media graphics and creative illustrations

Paint 3D Files Format Supported

Save as 3D Model: 

.FBX (Filmbox)

.OBJ (Wavefront OBJ)

.GLB (GL Transmission Format Binary)

.3MF (3D Manufacturing Format)

.STL (Stereolithography)

Save as 2D Image: 

.PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

.JPEG or .JPG (JPEG Image)

.BMP (Bitmap Image)

.GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)

Systems Requirements

Paint 3D is a lightweight application that doesn’t have very demanding system requirements. However, to ensure smooth performance, your system should meet the following minimum requirements:

Windows 10 (version 17134.0 or higher) or Windows 11

Minimum System Requirements

Processor: Intel or AMD dual core processor (1.0 GHz or faster)

RAM: 4 GB or more

Graphics Card: DirectX 12 compatible graphics card or integrated GPU with WDDM 2.0 driver

Storage: At least 4 GB of free disk space

Display: 720p resolution or higher

Recommended

Processor: Multi core processor (e.g., Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen)

RAM: 8 GB or higher for better performance

Graphics: Dedicated GPU for advanced 3D modeling and smooth rendering

Updates: Keep Windows and graphics drivers up to date

If you’re running a very old or low spec PC, Paint 3D may not perform optimally, especially with complex 3D models.

Best Free Alternatives To Paint 3D

There are some of the best free alternatives to Paint 3D for 3D modeling and editing:

Blender 

• Powerful open source 3D creation suite
• Supports modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, and more
• Suitable for both beginners and professionals

Tinkercad 

• Web based 3D design and CAD tool
• User friendly, ideal for beginners and educators
• Great for simple 3D modeling and 3D printing projects

FreeCAD 

• Open source parametric 3D CAD modeler
• Suitable for engineering and product design
• Supports importing/exporting common formats like STEP, STL, OBJ

SketchUp Free 

• Web based 3D modeling tool
• Easy to learn with a user friendly interface
• Good for architectural and simple 3D modeling

Meshmixer 

• Free from Autodesk
• Focuses on 3D mesh editing, sculpting, and printing preparation
• Great for modifying existing 3D models

Conclusion

Microsoft Paint 3D is a versatile and accessible free application integrated into Windows that combines traditional 2D drawing tools with innovative 3D modeling capabilities, making it ideal for a wide range of creative projects. Its user friendly interface, extensive library of 3D models, and support for both simple edits and more advanced designs provide a comprehensive platform for artists, educators, and hobbyists alike. To enjoy its full features, users can easily download and install it via the Microsoft Store, provided their system meets the basic requirements. For those seeking alternative free tools, options like Blender, Tinkercad, FreeCAD, SketchUp Free, and Meshmixer offer powerful features for 3D modeling, sculpting, and printing, catering to different skill levels and project needs. Overall, Paint 3D and its alternatives open up accessible avenues for digital creativity in both 2D and 3D spaces.

FAQs

Is Microsoft Paint 3D free to download and use?

Yes, Paint 3D is a free application available for Windows users, downloadable from the Microsoft Store without any cost.

How do I install on Windows?

You can install by opening the Microsoft Store, searching for “3D paint,” and clicking the “Get” button to download and install it on your device.

What file formats does support for saving projects?

It supports common 2D image formats like PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF, as well as 3D formats such as 3MF, OBJ, FBX, GLB, and STL for 3D printing and modeling.

What are the system requirements for running Paint 3D?

It requires Windows 10 (version 17134 or higher) or Windows 11, a dual core processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and around 4 GB of free disk space.

Can I create both 2D and 3D art in Paint 3D?

Yes, it allows users to create and edit both 2D images and 3D models, making it a versatile tool for various creative and educational projects.