Reference Guide for Microsoft Paint 3D
Microsoft Paint 3D reference guide which answers commonly asked questions from new users. It will also walk you through building your first Paint 3D project.
If you’re new to Paint 3D, you might be overwhelmed a bit by the new interface; after all, this is not your grandfather’s paint app. Instead, paint 3D emphasizes creating 3D surfaces and maximizing tools such as the pen and inking for touch devices; and… it’s a lot of fun!
Paint 3D Reference Guide
This reference guide is intended to help get you up and running with Paint 3D quickly and answer some commonly asked questions of first-time users. It’s not exhaustive, however, so if you have a question that’s not answered in this guide, please leave a comment, and we will do our best to get answers for you and update our guide for other readers.
How do I launch Paint 3D?
Your computer must be running the Windows 10 Creators Update. Paint 3D is not available for previous revisions of Windows 10 and earlier releases. Paint 3D can be launched from the Windows Ink Workspace or Start > All Apps.
How do I insert an image in Paint 3D?
Click the hamburger menu, then click Insert. Next, browse to where the image is located, then click Open.
How do I resize the canvas?
Select the canvas tab, then use the anchors to resize manually or enter the dimensions manually.
How do I crop an image?
Insert your image, click the selection button, make a selection, then click Crop.
How do I mask an image onto a 3D object?
Select the 3D Object tab, choose a shape you would like to use, then draw onto the canvas. Next, select the stickers tab, select the custom stickers tab, choose your image.
Use the anchors to manipulate the image and resize it over the object; click the rubber stamp anchor to apply the image permanently.
How do I repaint or change the color of an object?
Select the Tools tab, choose the fill option, select a color, then tap an object to fill.
How can I draw my own object?
Click the Objects tab, choose 3D doodle, select a color, then begin drawing your object on the canvas.
How do I select multiple objects in my project?
Click the Objects tab, choose the Select button, choose your object, click Multiselect, then select the next object.
How do I duplicate an object?
Select the object, then click copy, then paste.
How do I resize an object?
Select the object, then pull in the anchors to resize it.
How do I rotate an object in 3D?
Select the object, then use perspective anchors (representing motion) to rotate the object.
If you want to preview your object in 3D, click the 3D Preview icon, then drag it down or up.
How do I view my project in 3D?
Click the eye icon on the floating toolbar to view your content in 3D.
How do I access Remix 3D?
First, ensure you are connected to the Internet. After connecting, a community icon will appear next to the redo button; click it to launch Remix 3D.
How do I share my completed project on other social networks?
First, ensure you are connected to the Internet. Next, click the hamburger menu, click Share, then choose your desired social network.
How do I save my project as a 2D image I can use in other apps such as Microsoft Word?
Enable 3D mode, then click the camera icon on the floating toolbar.
How do I hide the Welcome screen?
Click the hamburger menu > Settings, toggle off Show welcome screen.
How do I resize the Task pane?
Click the hamburger menu >Â Settings then toggle on Compact mode.
Ready to explore Paint 3D in detail and start on your first 3D project? Check out our Get Started with Paint 3D, where I documented my first project and how I did it.
10 Comments
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
Abhi
May 23, 2017 at 8:55 pm
Well sharing is not a idle in 3d paint, if I am creating 3d image, I would like to share kind of rotating view as MS showed in there event, rather then that is sharing in 2D PNG, that’s really not a right thing.
Eh
June 14, 2017 at 12:50 am
How do you make holes on objects? I have the feeling that it is not possible as of now, which is a serious problem.. Paint 3d really needs an upgrade. A big upgrade. Like a REALLY big one.
Alan
July 27, 2017 at 12:36 am
Thanks. We all need a bit of hand-holding with something new. This article solved my queries on resizing images.
ND
October 5, 2017 at 10:55 pm
I haven’t tried the 3D function and frankly I don’t understand why I’d ever need it. But whatever. So I’m using it to do simple editing of JPEGs. For that purpose it’s pretty straightforward, and I like the new crop function better. One exception to the straightforwardness: I want to open three different images at once. I can’t figure out how to open three windows at once, nor alternately how to open two different images at once in the same window (i.e. in different tabs). Holding down “shift” while clicking on the icon is apparently not the answer, though that works for other programs, like Word. Help?
Alan
October 6, 2017 at 11:57 am
Good question. I can’t figure out how to open three windows at once, either. Can certainly have umpteen versions of the trusty Paint open at a time.
Ashley
November 8, 2017 at 12:20 am
Is there a way to slice/crop a 3D shape? And create holes?
Matt
April 13, 2018 at 10:22 am
i just want to know how to insert text. Clicking on T and then clicking on my image worked once, but i cant create a 2nd lot of text. Also, there seems to be no Help button on the Paint 3D screen.
Jenifer Dearinger
September 21, 2018 at 11:50 am
how do you change the DPI to 300 on a picture?
Robert
May 8, 2019 at 7:24 am
Why is it you can’t make a copy of a completed 3d shape easily? The video I watched showed a button that does not exist to complete this task.
Deepa Govind
October 11, 2020 at 4:22 pm
how to draw shapes of definte size .. eg : a Circle of radius 2 inces , a cone of height 5 inches