Remember years ago, when you would have time to draw on the computer and that time was spent using MS Paint or Corel Paint. MS Paint has been around for a long time, with incremental growth in the tool every few years. Well, it’s time has come and gone and now Microsoft introduced a new and approve version, perhaps the biggest update to Paint ever, Paint 3D.

Paint 3D is a built-in app in Windows 10 (another great reason to update your OS) that has a simple design and is incredibly powerful. Paint 3D combines 2D paint (what we are used to) and 3D tools. One of the nice parts of Paint 3D, is that there is a built-in 3D library to start with and even give you the ability to create a design from scratch.

Here are a few tips on getting started with Paint 3D and how to use Paint 3D in the classroom:

• Brushes: The biggest difference is that 3D has many more nuanced brushes and pens available to you. There are brushes that can do oil painting, watercolors, different metals, etc. There are around 10 different pens and brushes
• 2D Shapes: By using a stylus or your finger you can draw with precise accuracy. You also can use the pre-made 2D shapes and even trace them to draw your own versions.
• 3D Shapes:  After you either draw or use a pre-made shape you can push a button and turn it into a 3D model. A couple of the tools for 3D shapes includes the sharp edge 3D doodle tool and the soft edge 3D doodle creates a soft curve.
• Stickers: This is a texture tool which can add various textures to your 3D shapes like wood, marble, or metal. Another neat feature with Stickers is you can control how opaque the textures you use.
• Text: You can anchor the text using the 2D option and then you can use the 3D option to move around the text.
• Effects: You can now change the mood of the models by using settings called things like Mist, Night or Sunshine. You can change the lighting on your model by moving the sun around the model.
• Canvas:  This one is a digital version of a painter’s canvas. You can resize and control the dimensions of the canvas.
• Magic Select: This tool allows you to easily pop out images and models and you can move it out of the canvas and use only what you want! It’s that amazing!
• 3D Library: Just like the 2D library, there is a small collection of already created 3D models you can use.
• History Slider: This tool takes what we like about the undo button but puts it on a slider that allows you to rewind every step you have done. If you hit the record button, then you can turn this into a video you can share.
• 3D View Mode and Mixed Reality: The view mode allows you to move around an object for a complete 360-degree view along with an amazing zoom. The Mixed Reality allows you to take your model and add it into real world context, like creating a shark and placing it in an ocean video.

How to Use Paint 3D in the Classroom

Here are a few ideas:

• Students create 3D models of cells for a biology lesson
• Students create 3D models to show their understanding of the Water Cycle
• Plot Posters for the book they are reading
• Students create a 3D model that walks a viewer through the Plot of a Story a la Plotting a Story Graphic Organizer
• Create the world of a creative writing piece
• Design projects like Furniture Design, Classroom redesign or improving on someone else designs
• Showing how something works like a Volcano or Earthquake
• Create a 3D model of your dissection project
  

Check out this Pain 3D tutorial on creating a donut character: