Neither Paint or Paint 3D for Mac exist as Microsoft never released it on macOS but there are some excellent alternatives n 2018.
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If you’ve switched from PC to Mac, it might seem strange that there’s no default drawing program with macOS. When Macs were first released in 1984, they actually included MacPaint which came before Microsoft launched MS Paint shortly after in 1985.
However, Apple quietly dropped MacPaint from later versions of OS X and macOS, leaving Mac users with no equivalent version of Paint on Mac anymore.
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The good news is that there are now some excellent Paint replacements for Mac that are either free or very cheap.
Here then are the top 5 alternatives to MS Paint and Paint 3D on Mac in order of ranking.
Free Microsoft Paint Download1. Patina
Patina is a bitmap editor and drawing tool built specifically for Mac users. Patina is an elegant equivalent to Microsoft Paint on Mac which is aimed at those that want something stylish, powerful but simple like MS Paint. For the very modest fee of $2.99, you basically get a better version of MS Paint but with all the same features and more besides. Patina is extremely easy to use and has a more macOS style interface than most other Microsoft Paint alternatives on Mac that we’ve tried.
What we really like about Patina compared to other Paint apps on Mac is that it keeps things very simple and easy. There are no layers or tools to edit specific objects – in fact there are very few toolbars or pallets at all – it’s all about paintbrushes, colors and drawing. The brush strokes on the canvas in particular are fast, smooth and feel very realistic. Patina is ideal for sketching ideas, drawing diagrams, illustrating a concept or just doodling. It’s also pretty good for image editing. You can crop, rotate and resize images, add arrows, open and import PSD files, PDF, AI and PS files. You can save images with a transparent background and simply drag and drop images onto the canvas for editing.
Importantly for Mac users, unlike many Paint equivalents on Mac, Patina is regularly updated to be compatible with the latest versions of macOS including El Capitan, Sierra and High Sierra. This in itself is worth paying a few dollars for because although most similar Paint apps for Mac are either free or open source meaning the developer doesn’t often update them when there’s a new release of OS X and they end up not working anymore. This is what happened to Paintbrush (see review below) which used to be the best alternative to Microsoft Paint on Mac but now doesn’t work properly with OS X 10.11 El Capitan or macOS 10.12 Sierra or 10.13 High Sierra. Patina works with all versions of OS X from 10.8 Mountain Lion and above and we’ve had no problems with it in the latest versions of macOS.
To learn more about exactly what Patina can and can’t do, check out the Patina FAQs.
2. Paintbrush
Paintbrush for Mac used to be the best alternative to Paint for Mac and is completely free. However, after the release of OS X El Capitan, it is no longer stable and so it’s only a good option if you’re working on OS X 10.10 Yosemite or lower. As soon as you open Paintbrush, you’ll notice that it features a very similar interface to the classic version of MS Paint with the same kind of color palette and paintbrush tools.
You can open and save most image formats in Paintbrush including BMP, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and GIF images. You can import transparent images although only those that support an alpha channel in PNGs and GIF format. You can also cut and paste images from other applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and OS X Preview. The latest version of Paintbrush for Mac also supports marching ants for the selection tool i.e. the ability to select an object and distinguish it from the background with a dotted-line border. Other useful tools included in Paintbrush include Airbrush, Rounded Rectangle, Eyedropper, and Zoom. You can also of course resize images or the canvas and zoom into images to edit individual pixels like on Microsoft Paint.
The biggest problem however with Paintbrush is that it isn’t updated very often. The last update was in 2015 and we’ve noticed it doesn’t work well with El Capitan or above. Note that if you’re still using OS X Tiger or lower, you can download an older version of Paintbrush 1.2 for Mac. But if you’re on an older version of OS X than El Capitan and don’t want to pay a dime, Paintbrush is definitely worth trying. If you need a basic, streamlined image editor for Mac that can satisfy your need to doodle, entertain the kids, quickly crop a photo or image or add some text to an image, Paintbrush is still a very good equivalent to MS Paint.
3. Paint S (Formerly Paint 2)
Paint S (formerly known as Paint 2) is a free, easy-to-use drawing tool. However, it’s important to note that although Paint S is free, you’ll have to upgrade to Paint Pro in order to get anything like the tools and features that are in Microsoft Paint.
Paint S allows you to draw simple pictures or edit your existing photos. Paint S can open and save images in TIFF, JPEG, PNG and BMP and features all the standard tools you get in Microsoft Paint such as sketch, crop, rotate and scale images.
There’s also a fill tool, eyedropper and tools for creating lines, curves, rectangle, eclipses and add text including even curved texts. Alpha transparency is supported as is adding shadows, gradients and reflections. You can add a grid and rulers to sketches and cut and paste from other apps including Microsoft Office, Safari, Pages etc.
Most of these features however are exclusive to the Pro version and although the basic Paint S is free from the Mac App Store, you’ll need to download Paint Pro for $9.99 from the Mac App Store to upgrade and get a genuine alternative to Paint. Paint Pro unlocks all features, including Layers which allow you to superimpose several different types of image or annotations.
Overall, Paint S is too limited to be at the same level as MS Paint but Paint Pro is pretty good and is one of the few Paint style apps on Mac that also handles layers.
4. Preview
The great thing about Preview is that it is included in macOS so there’s no need to download anything. What many Mac users don’t realize is that it also has a basic drawing tool which is similar to MS Paint. To access it, either click on Preview in your Dock or search for “Preview” in Spotlight.
Open an image in Preview bu going to “File” and then “Open”. We advise making a copy or duplicate of your image first before editing as Preview doesn’t add layers – it edits the image directly and any edits can’t be undone after Saving. When Preview is open, simply click on the Markup Toolbar icon at the top of the interface. When you click on the Markup Toolbar icon, you’ll see the available tools in a toolbar that appears across the top of the interface.
The range of tools available in Preview is pretty good including a rectangular, elliptical, lasso and smart lasso selector that allow you to cut out objects or items in images. The smart lasso for example can automatically detect borders in images as you guide it around thus allowing you to isolate or edit specific objects. One other neat feature is the ability to add your signature to a document or image using your Trackpad or via your Mac’s iSight camera. Just click on the signature symbol to automatically open the signature tool and select whether you want to add a signature via Trackpad or iSight.
Meanwhile the Sketch tool allows you to draw freehand lines and spray-paint colors and the shapes tool allows you to add rectangles, lines, circles and ovals. If you draw shapes but haven’t got a steady hand, Preview will even adjust standard shapes such as ovals to make them rounder and more accurate. There are also tools for adding text, changing fonts, a color palette, adjusting image size, resolution, crop and rotate and image. https://yellowfc.weebly.com/blog/pfd-program-for-mac.
OS X Preview is a really useful tool for all sorts of basic image editing, adjusting and of course, drawing and painting. It doesn’t do much beyond that however but if you want a very basic drawing app without downloading anything, it does the job.
5. Pixelmator
Finally, if you want something really fancy, check out Pixelmator. Pixelmator is like a deluxe version of MS Paint and is aimed at those that want a powerful image editing and drawing tool but it can also be easily used like MS Paint for doodling and simple drawings. Pixelmator is made specifically for Mac users and utilizes all the latest technologies and capabilities of OS X to produce fast, professional and powerful image editing and drawing tools. It’s already been updated to take advantage of the new Touch Bars in the latest MacBook Pro allowing you to edit images without even touching your Trackpad.
If you need Vector tools and Layers, it’s all there and more in Pixelmator for Mac. There’s far more than the average Microsoft Paint user needs in Pixelmator such as CMYX Proofing, RAW files, 16-bit support and integration with OpenCL, Core Image and it’s built on 64 bit architecture. Pixelmator also supports the widest range of formats in any Paint like program on Mac you’ll find including SD, TIFF, JPEG, PNG and PDF.
If you just want to doodle or draw, there’s a toolbox packed with tools that feel ultra realistic when making brush strokes or drawing lines. You can even change the hardness of brushes and blending modes. If it’s image editing you’re after, Pixelmator makes it extremely easy to touch-up images whether it’s removing scratches, cloning objects or people, or just blur or sharpen specific elements in images. There are also 160 special effects to have fun with and breathe new life into images and photos.
Finally, you can also share images instantly to social networks and email or export them to OS X Photos, Photoshop or iCloud if you want to show-off your creations instantly.
Although $30 is a lot for an alternative to MS Paint on Mac, it’s actually very good value for money in terms of what you get in one design tool. Pixelmator is so good in fact that it was voted Mac App of the Year by Apple in 2011. Many of the things you can do in Adobe Photoshop for example, you can do in Pixelmator for a fraction of the cost and there’s no monthly subscription like with Adobe Creative Cloud products. Since it’s focused only on Mac too, Pixelmator is also frequently and quickly updated to be compatible with the latest versions of OS X including OS X 10.12 Sierra.
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If you want something for more than just doodling, and especially if you want a powerful image editor without paying big bucks, Pixelmator is the best image editing and drawing application for Mac for the money.
How To Run Paint 3D On Mac
Microsoft Paint is no longer just the simple doodling app of old. Nowadays with the new Microsoft Surface, MS Paint has evolved into the sophisticated drawing application Paint 3D that even allows you to draw in 3D with the Microsoft Surface Pen. In this respect, only Pixelmator comes close as a replacement for the latest version of Microsoft Paint on Mac although most users probably aren’t looking for something as advanced as 3D and 2D drawings.
The good news is that Paint 3D is free in Windows 10 and if none of these Paint alternatives will do, you can also run it on your Mac for free. Nowadays you can run Windows 10 on Mac for free because Microsoft no longer require users to activate it with a Product Key in order to keep using it. Paint 3D is included free with Windows 10 meaning you can use it for free on your Mac and doodle to your heart’s content.
To start using Paint 3D on Mac in just a matter of minutes, just follow these instructions how to install Windows 10 on Mac for free.
Conclusion
We hope we’ve shown you that you can easily live without Microsoft Paint and Paint 3D on Mac and even get something much better in the case of Pixelmator. Paintbrush used to be the go-to Paint utility for Mac users looking for a Paint alternative although since it no longer works on the latest versions of macOS, it’s no longer an option for many Mac users and you’re much better off going for Patina. If you just want something really basic and free, Paint 2 is worth checking out although you really need to upgrade to Paint Pro to make it a genuine alternative to MS Paint. Finally, Preview in macOS is often overlooked when it comes to drawing and image editing and you might find that the alternative to Microsoft Paint on Mac you’ve been looking for, is already under your nose. Best free money program for mac.
If you have any comments, experiences or suggestions about the apps featured here or Mac paint or drawing apps, let us know in the comments below.
Microsoft officially deprecated PaintMicrosoft Paint Is Dead, Long Live Paint 3D [Updated]Microsoft Paint Is Dead, Long Live Paint 3D [Updated]Microsoft Paint is officially being killed off, with Microsoft deprecating the program with the release of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Rest In Peace, Microsoft Paint: 1985-2017.Read More in July 2017. Of course, the app hasn’t been updated since Windows 7 anyway, so it’s hardly news.
While it will remain available through the Windows Store, this really spells the end for MS Paint. Microsoft is now squarely focused on the new Paint 3D; there’s only so much time the old version of Paint can remain available until it becomes a liability.
Perhaps it’s time to start looking for free alternatives? Here are seven of the best for you to check out.
Microsoft Paint Windows 71. Paint.NET
Paint.NET started life as a student project back in 2004, but it’s since grown to become one of the best free image editors on the Windows operating system. If you’re only a light user, it’s even a valid alternative to full suites like Photoshop15 Free Alternatives to Adobe Lightroom, Illustrator, and Photoshop15 Free Alternatives to Adobe Lightroom, Illustrator, and PhotoshopWould you like to get Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or Illustrator for free? Here are some of the best Creative Cloud alternatives.Read More and GIMP.
If you’re coming from Microsoft Paint, one of the biggest things you’ll want is familiarity, and Paint.NET has it in abundance. The main screen looks very similar to the Microsoft app.
Dig a little deeper, however, and it’s packed with features that make the app shine.
They include Photoshop-esque layers, a vast number of special effects, unlimited undo/redo, an array of tools for drawing shapes, and most importantly for many users, near-endless plugins.
To give you an idea, the community-supported PDF document which lists all the plugins is 95 pages long! If that sounds too daunting, don’t worry. You can download packs of the most popular plugins that center around certain themes (e.g. extra brushes, colors, effects). Some even have installers.
Download:Paint.NET
2. IrfanView
If Paint.NET is too complicated and you’re looking for something more basic, IrfanView could be the tool for you.
Some of the headline features are almost identical to Microsoft Paint. The app has easy-to-draw shapes, tools for rotating, flipping and resizing images, and one-click buttons for converting images to greyscale and other color palettes.
IrfanView also offers some functionality that’s missing in Paint but which makes using the app easier and more enjoyable. For example, it has image previews, support for more file formats, and even the ability to open animated GIFs3 Best Tools to Make Free Animated GIFs on Windows3 Best Tools to Make Free Animated GIFs on WindowsKeen to start creating your own GIFs? These tools will get you animated in no time.Read More.
Lastly, professionals will still be able to rely on the app for tasks thanks to its support for Photoshop filtersA Quick Guide to Photoshop Filters and What They DoA Quick Guide to Photoshop Filters and What They DoPhotoshop comes with a few dozen filters of its own and these are more than enough for amateurs and hobbyists. Here's a quick guide to what they do.Read More, batch conversion, and IPTC metadata.
Download:IrfanView
3. Pinta
If you’ve been paying attention, you will notice Pinta looks instantly familiar. Why? Because it’s based on the previously discussed Paint.NET.
The app is not quite as feature-laden as its inspiration, making it a better alternative for people who want the Microsoft Paint familiarity without all the extra pro-level features they’ll never use.
However, just because it’s not equal to Paint.NET, don’t write it off. Pinta supports layers, provides unlimited history, has 35 effects, and includes easy-to-use drawing tools.
Perhaps most interestingly, it takes a different approach to the workspace in front of you. You can pop out any window to make it float, and even use a combination of docked windows and floating windows to suit your needs.
Download:Pinta
4. Krita
Krita is geared towards digital artists. Specifically, the app is aimed at concept artists, illustrators, matte and texture artists, and people working in the visual effects industry. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not also a great tool for people who want an alternative to Microsoft Paint. https://yellowfc.weebly.com/blog/remote-mouse-program-for-mac.
If you choose to download it, you can enjoy a range of useful features that are absent in Paint. They include a quick color selector (just right-click on a color to pick it), brush stabilizers (perfect if you’re doing basic drawing with a mouse), and vector, filter, group, and file layers.
Krita also offers some of the best shape drawing tools. Thanks to its “Drawing Assistants,” you will be able to create the perfect ellipse, arrow, or fisheye every time.
Download:Krita
5. Photoscape
Photoscape is mainly focused on photo editing. If you use Microsoft Paint to edit and tweak snaps you have taken, it’s the perfect replacement.
Many of the tools it offers are photo-orientated and are absent on Paint. For example, you can easily combine multiple photos into one image or watch your photos in a slideshow. You can also convert images from the RAW format into JPEGs or splice your photos into multiple pieces.
As you would expect, it also has a comprehensive basic editor. You can use it to resize your image, adjust the brightness and color, change the white balance, correct the backlight, add text, draw pictures, add filters, remove red-eye, and more.
Lastly, Photoscape has a cool tool that lets you print lined, graph, music, and calendar paper using your images.
Download:Photoscape
6. Fotor
Fotor made its name as a cloud-based image editor, but these days you can download the software as a standalone Windows app that’ll work offline.
Like Photoscape, editing photos is Fotor’s bread and butter, but it also works well for editing screenshots and other images.
The app can make simple adjustments such as resizing and cropping, includes hundreds of free fontsThe 8 Best Free Font Websites for Free Fonts OnlineThe 8 Best Free Font Websites for Free Fonts OnlineNot everyone can afford a licensed font. These websites will help you find the perfect free font for your next project.Read More, and offers a shape drawing tool. It also has some basic touch up tools.
Fotor is entirely free to download and use, but it’s also the only app on this list that offers a paid tier. For $3.33 per month, you get 100 new effects, a vast number of stickers and photo frames, professional-grade touch-up tools, and an ad-free experience.
Download:Fotor
7. Pixlr
If you’re not going to have Paint on your system anymore, why even bother to clutter your hard drive up with more junk?
You could use an online-only editor instead, and Pixlr is one of the best.
The design of Pixlr is more Photoshop-esque than Paint-esque. But, if you spend a bit of time learning how to use the app, you will quickly discover it’s one of the best Paint replacements available.
It has all the basics you’d expect, plus advanced features like smudging, blurring, layers, and a long list of filters and effects.
Of course, you should only consider Pixlr if you have a reliable web connection; it’s useless without one. You will also need to enable Flash for it to run.
Run:Pixlr
Which App Do You Use?
If you’re preparing for the death of Microsoft Paint, you won’t go far wrong by using one of these seven apps.
For the most Paint-like experience, try Paint.NET, IrfanView, or Pinta. If you’re willing to expand your knowledge and try something new, use Krita, Photoscape, or Fotor. And if you want an online-only tool, you need Pixlr.
Of course, there are hundreds of free image editing tools on the web, and we’ve not been able to cover all of them in this article. Microsoft will certainly want you to use Paint 3DWe Tested the MS Paint 3D Preview: Here's What We ThinkWe Tested the MS Paint 3D Preview: Here's What We ThinkMS Paint has been around for as long as Windows existed. The Windows 10 Creators Update will include Paint 3D and Remix 3D. Will these free tools help 3D modeling go mainstream?Read More.
Which apps would you add to this list? What features make them so impressive? You can leave all your tips and suggestions in the comments below.
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