End of an Era: Microsoft Paint 3D to be Discontinued

In a significant move, Microsoft has officially announced the retirement of its Paint 3D application. From November 4, 2024, the app will no longer receive updates and will be removed from the Microsoft Store. This decision was documented in an update to the company’s ‘Deprecated Features for Windows Client’ list, which stated:

“Paint 3D is deprecated and will be removed from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024. To view and edit 2D images, you can use Paint or Photos. For enjoying 3D content, consider using the 3D Viewer.”

A Brief History of Paint 3D

Initially unveiled with excitement during the Windows 10 Creators Update, Paint 3D aimed to revolutionize 3D content creation. Despite its innovative features, the app failed to capture widespread consumer interest.

From Ambition to Coexistence

Microsoft had originally intended to supplant the classic Paint application with Paint 3D. However, consumer feedback pointed out that Paint 3D lacked the comprehensive features found in its predecessor, leading Microsoft to allow both applications to coexist.

Remix 3D: A Complementary Platform

Alongside Paint 3D, Microsoft introduced Remix 3D—a platform that facilitated the browsing, sharing, and downloading of 3D objects. Users could enhance their creations by importing 3D models directly from Remix 3D into the Paint 3D app. However, in 2020, Microsoft discontinued the Remix 3D website, urging users to save their creations.

The Future of Classic Paint

In contrast to Paint 3D, the classic Paint app has seen a resurgence, with Microsoft rolling out regular updates that include exciting new features. Recently, the company revealed plans to integrate generative AI capabilities into the Paint app, such as Image Creator and Cocreator.

Final Days for Paint 3D

With the discontinuation date fast approaching, users interested in Paint 3D are encouraged to download the installer before it vanishes from the Microsoft Store. Existing installations will remain functional, marking a bittersweet end to Microsoft’s venture into the 3D realm with Paint 3D.

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