Rotation in Paint 3D works differently for flat images and 3D objects. A 2D selection can be turned or flipped in quarter steps or freely, while a 3D object can be spun around three axes and pushed forward or back in depth. Both are covered below. For the basics of selecting objects, see the Paint 3D beginner guide.

Rotate or flip a 2D image

1. Click Select in the top toolbar, then press Ctrl + A to select the whole image, or drag to select part of it.
2. In the side panel, use Rotate left or Rotate right to turn it 90 degrees, or Flip horizontal and Flip vertical to mirror it.
3. For a free-angle turn, drag the circular rotation handle above the selection box.
4. Click outside the selection to apply it.

Rotate a 3D object

Click any 3D object, such as a shape, model, or 3D text, to show its selection box. Four handles appear around it:

• Three rotation handles spin the object around each of its axes: flat like a steering wheel, tilted forward and back, and turned left and right. Drag a handle to rotate; hover over it to see which axis it controls.
• The depth handle moves the object closer or further away in 3D space without rotating it.
• The corners of the box resize the object.

Tip: switch on 3D view and drag the empty canvas to orbit the whole scene. It is the easiest way to check that objects line up from every angle.

Rotate several objects together

Hold Ctrl and click each object, or drag a selection around them, then use the handles. The group rotates as one, which keeps a scene in 3D models arranged the way you built it.

FAQ