Yes, there is a new Paint. No, we are not losing our minds. Devoting an article to what is undoubtedly one of the oldest tools on the Windows platform sounds strange, but Microsoft continues to focus its efforts on redesigning the general look of its operating system one application at a time, while also incorporating new technical advantages. The Paint preview places a great deal of emphasis on the touch experience, stylus support, and the introduction of 3D objects without sacrificing the simplicity for which it has been known for so many years.
A classic tool gets a makeover
Entertainment for millions of children, a canvas for artists with endless patience, an emergency image editor, and a true classic within Windows, Paint is about to receive a major update. The question many users might ask is why. After all, there is a long list of free editors with resources far superior to what Paint offers, but there is no single valid answer. The latest editions of Windows have been criticized for their apparent identity crisis. The vision of Windows as a service brings its own aesthetic profile, a simpler and flatter style, while the traditional structure of the operating system still has roots that can be traced back to Windows 95, or those primordial versions of Windows NT. This presents a conflict on many levels. Users who trained for years with the Spartan and effective interfaces of Windows see the new designs as something out of a toy store, yet a new generation of hardware, devices, and users seek to distance themselves from the cold and structured gray. The Paint update is just one of many steps Microsoft plans to take to manifest that change of vision.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/spPYioT3DAM
Installation and requirements
Now, the new Paint is not something everyone will receive in the short term. Technically, we are facing a leak, a universal app that escaped the clutches of the Windows Insider program, and which is expected to have an official unveiling on October 26. Installing Paint requires a bit of extra work if the user decided to remove the Microsoft Store and the App Installer with PowerShell commands (in short, both need to be present), and beyond a warning presented by Windows SmartScreen, the Paint preview should run without incident, assuming the presence of the Anniversary Update and the x64 support. The color palette, stroke selection and its size, text insertion, zoom control, and options to modify the image size are all there, but what is relevant about the new Paint is the introduction of 2D and 3D objects in a much more controlled manner. Touch support and the stylus shine with both features, and the possibility of combining objects is certainly attractive. The 2D shapes extend to 14, while in 3D we find six, although there are options to import and export models under the .cool format. Manipulating 3D objects still has several sharp edges, which is logical in a preview.
The new Paint as a harbinger
Beyond the progress represented by the 3D compatibility and touch interaction, an element that continues to shine by its absence in Paint is the support for layers. If Microsoft managed to add that in the future, I think many users would think twice before opting for another editor. Finally, I would like to return to the fact that this preview is a universal app. Users who decide to explore the milestone-alpha-prototype should not expect future updates if they are not part of Windows Insider, but the new Paint sends an additional message, and it is Redmond's intention to continue converting old Win32 tools into brand-new universal builds. The Calculator is another solid example of that trend, as are several elements of the classic Control Panel. In short: the new Paint is a harbinger. Time will tell if what it has to say pleases users.
