Learning how to use Paint 3D takes less than an hour. Microsoft designed its free 3D paint app for complete beginners, so every tool sits in one toolbar across the top of the screen. This guide walks through each tab, then builds a small project that combines 2D drawing, a 3D model, and a transparent PNG export. Don’t have the app yet? Start with our Paint 3D install guide for Windows 11.

The Paint 3D interface

When you open Paint 3D, the welcome screen offers New, Open, and Paste. Pick New for a blank canvas. The workspace has three parts:

• Top toolbar: the Menu button on the far left, then the main tabs (Brushes, 2D shapes, 3D shapes, Stickers, Text, Effects, Canvas, and 3D library), followed by Select, Crop, Magic select, and 3D view on the right.
• Canvas: the white area in the middle where you draw and place objects.
• Side panel: the options for whichever tool is active, such as brush thickness, colors, or 3D shape types.

Every toolbar tab explained

Tab	What it does
Brushes	Marker, calligraphy pen, oil brush, watercolor, pixel pen, pencil, eraser, crayon, spray can, and fill. Set thickness and opacity, and pick a color or matte/gloss/metal finish.
2D shapes	Lines, curves, and flat shapes with adjustable fill and outline.
3D shapes	Ready-made 3D models, basic objects (cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, and more), and 3D doodle tools.
Stickers	Stickers and textures that wrap around 3D surfaces, plus a custom sticker option that turns any image into a sticker.
Text	2D text that sits on the canvas or 3D text that floats in the scene.
Effects	Scene-wide lighting filters and a light wheel to change the direction of light.
Canvas	Resize the canvas, lock the aspect ratio, and switch on a transparent canvas.
3D library	Originally connected to Microsoft’s Remix 3D community library, which was retired in 2021, so it may no longer load models.
Magic select	Cuts a subject out of a photo automatically. See our background removal guide.
3D view	Switches the canvas into full 3D so you can orbit around your scene.

Your first project, step by step

This quick project teaches the four skills you will use most: drawing, adding a 3D shape, adding text, and saving.

1. Create a new project. Click Menu > New.
2. Paint a background. Open Brushes, choose Fill, pick a light blue, and click the canvas.
3. Add a 3D object. Open 3D shapes, pick the sphere, and drag on the canvas to draw it.
4. Rotate it. Drag the rotation handles around the selection box to tilt and spin the sphere.
5. Paint the object. Choose the Marker, pick a color, and draw on the sphere. The stroke follows the curve.
6. Add 3D text. Open Text, pick 3D text, click the canvas, and type your title.
7. Save. Press Ctrl + S to save a Paint 3D project, or use Menu > Save as > Image for a PNG.

Tip: Paint 3D keeps a History panel under Menu > History. You can scrub back through every step or even record a video of your work.

Working with 3D objects

Every 3D object gets a selection box with four handles. The three circular handles rotate the object on each axis, and the fourth moves it forward or back in depth. Hold the corners of the box to resize. When you need to see the object from every side, click 3D view and drag with the mouse to orbit.

Turn a drawing into a 3D object

The 3D doodle tools in the 3D shapes tab inflate any closed outline you draw. Sharp edge creates a flat, extruded shape, and soft edge creates a rounded, puffy shape. Trace over a sketch to turn it into a model in seconds.

Import your own Paint 3D models

Use Menu > Insert to bring in 3D models saved as 3MF, FBX, OBJ, PLY, STL, or GLB, including files from Blender or Tinkercad.

Saving and exporting

Save as	Best for
Paint 3D project	Keeping every object editable for later
Image (PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF)	Sharing online. Choose PNG with transparency for cutouts and logos.
3D model (3MF, GLB, FBX, STL)	3D printing or using your model in other 3D software
Video (MP4) or GIF	Showing a rotating 3D scene

Useful keyboard shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y	Undo / Redo
Ctrl + S	Save
Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V	Copy / Paste
Ctrl + A	Select all
Delete	Delete the selected object

FAQ

Is Paint 3D easy for beginners?

Yes. It was designed for people with no 3D experience, and most users make their first 3D scene within minutes.

Why is the 3D library empty?

The 3D library pulled models from Microsoft’s Remix 3D service, which was retired in 2021. Use the built-in 3D shapes, 3D doodle, or import your own models instead.

Can Paint 3D open JPG and PNG files?

Yes. Use Menu > Open to edit PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, and TIFF images, then add 2D or 3D elements on top.