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Click the 3D shapes tab. Pick a ready-made object such as a cube or sphere, or one of the five simple models, then drag on the canvas to place it. To make your own shape, use 3D doodle: draw an outline and Paint 3D turns it into a 3D object. You can then move, turn, resize and recolor it at any time.
This guide covers everything in the Paint 3D 3D shapes tab, with the exact names the app uses.
What is in the 3D shapes tab
The right panel has four parts, from top to bottom:
- Open 3D library, a shortcut to the collection of ready-made models online.
- 3D doodle, three tools for drawing your own 3D shapes.
- 3D objects, a grid of ten basic shapes, including a cube, sphere, hemisphere, cone, pyramid, cylinder, capsule and torus.
- 3D models, a row of five simple starter models, such as people and animals.
At the bottom of the panel you choose the look: a finish list, which starts on Matte and also offers Gloss, then a color box, an eyedropper, the color palette and Add color. Pick these before you draw, or change them later.
Add a ready-made shape
- Click the 3D shapes tab.
- Click a shape in 3D objects or a model in 3D models.
- Drag on the canvas to draw it at the size you want.
The new shape stays selected, with handles around it, so you can adjust it straight away.
Draw your own shape with 3D doodle
3D doodle turns a flat drawing into a 3D object. Hover over each of the three tools to see its name.
Soft edge makes round, puffy shapes. The app's own tip says it is "perfect for hand-drawn clouds or other puffy objects." Place anchor points, or drag to draw, then connect back to your first point to close the shape. It inflates into a soft 3D object.
Sharp edge works the same way, but gives the shape flat faces and crisp edges. Use it for things like rocks, crystals, gems or signs.
Tube brush draws a tube that follows your stroke, like a piece of piping or a rope. It does not need a closed shape. After drawing, the tube has its own options:
- Change the tube's shape to a triangle, a star and more.
- Make the middle larger than the ends. The app's own tip says this is "great for drawing moustaches".
- Make the middle smaller than the ends, or the start larger or smaller than the end.
- Show the points along the tube and drag them to change its path.
Turn a 2D drawing or photo into 3D
You can also start from something flat. Click Select, drag a box around a 2D drawing or part of a photo, and click Make 3D in the right panel. The selection becomes a flat 3D object that you can move and turn like the others. For a clean edge around an object in a photo, cut it out with Magic select first, as shown in our guide on how to remove a background in Paint 3D.
Move, turn and resize a shape
Click Select, then click the shape. The app describes the handles simply: use them "to move, resize, and rotate the 3D shape."
- Drag the shape to move it.
- Drag a corner of the box to resize it.
- Drag the round handles to turn it. Our guide on how to rotate and flip in Paint 3D explains each handle.
To change a shape's depth, the app has a tip. Rotate the shape, then pull one side in or out. Turn it so you see its side, then drag that side to make it thinner or thicker.
To check depth and position, click 3D view in the bar under the top tabs. It lets you look at the scene from other angles, so you can see which shapes sit in front.
Change color and finish later
Select the shape and click Edit color at the top of the right panel. You can recolor it without redrawing anything.
For patterns and surfaces such as wood or stone, see our guide to Paint 3D stickers and textures. Stickers and textures can go onto 3D shapes as well as flat pictures.
The Smooth texturing option in the same panel makes paint and stickers on 3D objects look smoother. It only works when Adjust display quality is set to High or above in Menu, then Settings.
Build a scene from several shapes
- Group them. Select several shapes with
Ctrland click Group, so they move and resize as one. - Stack them by depth. Shapes closer to you sit in front. Our guide on whether Paint 3D has layers explains how order works.
- Mix in library models. Our guide to the Paint 3D 3D library covers the ready-made models online.
When you are done, you can save the scene as a picture or as a 3D model file. Our guide on how to save in Paint 3D explains which to pick.
FAQ
How do I make a 3D shape in Paint 3D?
Click the 3D shapes tab, pick a shape under 3D objects, and drag on the canvas. To draw your own, use Soft edge or Sharp edge under 3D doodle.
What is the difference between Soft edge and Sharp edge?
Both turn a closed outline into a 3D shape. Soft edge makes it round and puffy. Sharp edge gives it flat faces and crisp edges.
What does the Tube brush do?
It draws a 3D tube along your stroke. You can then change the tube's shape, make parts of it thicker or thinner, and move points along its path.
Can I turn a 2D picture into 3D?
Yes. Select part of the picture and click Make 3D. It becomes a flat 3D object, not a full sculpted model.
Why can't I see the depth of my shape?
The normal view looks straight at the scene. Click 3D view to look from another angle, or turn the shape with its handles.
Spotted something that does not match your screen? Email [email protected].
