Microsoft Paint 3D has finally been announced, and it might be the most significant update to any software we've seen. This redesign is a long time coming, and we have to say, it looks great and appears to be continuing the path of providing entry-level image editing to everyone.
From what Microsoft spoke about and demoed during the presentation, we can tell the company has been working on this for quite some time, and couldn't wait to show it off to the world. The new Paint 3D app gives the user the ability to create 2D images, as expected, but those 2D images can be transformed into 3D with ease.
We understand all 2D pencils and pens can be used on any 3D object, so there shouldn't be much in terms of limitations to what the tools can be utilized for. Furthermore, users can stamp stickers onto 2D objects to turn them into 3D. Pretty awesome, right? We agree.
Microsoft hopes its users in the future will use HoloLens to view 3D objects created from within Paint 3D. Not only that, whatever they create can be easily shared to Facebook. The current generation of young people are very social on the web, so going this route is an excellent idea.
One thing we found pleasing with the new Paint 3D app is the ability to take an image with a smartphone and scan it for it to become a 3D image. A demonstration was done onstage using the HP Elite X3 Windows 10 Mobile smartphone. Not to mention, artists with 3D printers can bring their creation to life, so right away Paint 3D is doing some advanced stuff.
Useful For Minecraft Players
It's possible for Minecraft players to export their creations to the Paint 3D app, but it doesn't end there. The same creation can then be 3D-printed, but as expected, folks will need a 3D printer on hand. The tight integration with Minecraft should increase usage of the app a great deal.
Minecraft is popular and played by mostly children, so Microsoft has a tremendous opportunity here to take advantage of.
When Will Paint 3D Be Available?
Microsoft says the Windows 10 Creators Studio, which was also announced earlier today, will be offered for every Windows 10 desktop and mobile device in 2017. Seeing as Microsoft as decided to bundle the app with the new update, excited fans will have little chance but to wait until then.
But not to worry, the old Paint tool is still available, and we hope Microsoft doesn't do away with it for good.
The Paint 3D tool is not the only thing Microsoft announced - the company also talked about the Surface Studio, its $2,999 ultrathin PC.
