Microsoft’s Paint 3D, once introduced with great fanfare as a tool for 3D modeling and editing, is on the brink of retirement. Seven years after its launch, Microsoft has decided to phase out this application, which was initially envisioned as a creative leap for users of the classic Paint app. Although the company has not made a formal announcement, leaked information suggests that Paint 3D will be removed from the Microsoft Store in early November 2024.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
In 2017, Paint 3D was introduced as part of the Windows 10 Creators Update. This new tool was meant to combine the functionalities of Microsoft Paint and 3D Builder, offering users a hybrid experience for both 2D and 3D editing. The application aimed to revamp the traditional Paint program by integrating it with 3D capabilities, hoping to attract a new generation of creators.
However, Paint 3D struggled to gain traction. Users and critics found the app lacking in basic photo-editing tools, such as brightness and contrast adjustments, and its 3D features did not resonate with the broader audience as Microsoft had hoped. By mid-2017, the original MS Paint was set to be deprecated, with Microsoft promoting Paint 3D as its successor. Yet, the outcry from fans of the original Paint led to its preservation as an optional download from the Windows Store.
Fast forward to 2021, Microsoft quietly removed Paint 3D and 3D Viewer from the default apps installed with Windows 10. This move signaled the beginning of the end for Paint 3D. Now, as leaks indicate, the app is set to be completely removed from the Microsoft Store by November 2024. The decision reflects Microsoft’s acknowledgment that Paint 3D did not achieve the creative revolution it initially envisioned.
TF Summary: What’s Next
With Paint 3D’s impending removal, users who still rely on the app for their creative projects will need to find alternatives or download the app before it disappears from the store. This move underscores Microsoft’s shift in focus towards other creative tools and platforms that better meet the needs of modern users. As technology and user preferences evolve, Microsoft continues to refine its offerings, phasing out tools that no longer align with its strategic direction. The retirement of Paint 3D marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of new opportunities for innovation in digital creativity.
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