Filed under: Photo, Utilities, Windows, Freeware, Windows x64
Paint.NET 3.5 Beta 1 released - now with added shiny
by Paul O'Brien Sep 22nd 2009 at 3:30PM
The widely acclaimed image editor Paint.NET has been updated to version 3.5 Beta 1.
The Windows application, developed using version 3.5 of the .net framework, was originally developed by a Microsoft-mentored student as a replacement for the basic Microsoft Paint application that ships with Windows. Since it's inception it has grown hugely in features to the extent that many now consider it a viable free alternative to applications such as Photoshop and The GIMP.
Paint.NET includes powerful features including layers, unlimited undo, numerous filters, magic wand, cloning and also offers a plugin architecture for third party extensibility.
The new 3.5 Beta 1 release - the first to require version 3.5 of the .net framework - adds a refreshed UI designed to look great on Windows Vista and Windows 7 Aero / Glass together with new filters, initial Windows 7 taskbar integration (recent items are listed in the jumplist), reduced memory usage and a host of fixes and updates.
If you are already a Paint.NET user you can download the updated release from within the application itself using the update feature, or the release can be downloaded directly from GetPaint.
Many people of course will be sceptical as to whether Paint.NET can genuinely offer a Photoshop alternative for $0 - are you already a satisfied user? Share your thoughts on the application in the comments!
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
snoopedgyedge said 4:08PM on 9-22-2009
I've used it (not 3.5 b1) and it's pretty nice. Having used Photoshop for so long, though, there is a bit of a learning curve as there are workflow differences, but overall, it's really pretty awesome. I'll be trying 3.5 and trying to use it more often (when time isn't a constraint since I can perform most tasks very quickly in PS CS4 due to familiarity).
MS doesn't release this as a Paint alternative why?
Reply
Zwicky said 2:12AM on 9-30-2009
Microsoft doesn't own or develop Paint.NET, and I don't believe there are any plans to sell anytime soon. :)
Anthony said 4:20PM on 9-22-2009
I haven't spent much time with 3.5b1, but previous versions have always been nice. The only real problem I ran into once was with a large image (it was a 2 ft x 3 ft image at 300 dpi). Paint.NET allocated 2 GB of RAM and promptly ran out of user-addressable virtual address space on 32-bit XP. Photoshop had no problems. The built-in image viewer worked too, but didn't give me many zooming options. I might try throwing the image at the new version (if I still have it around) and see what it does.
Reply
sRc said 4:23PM on 9-22-2009
I use Paint.NET whenever I need to do more simple tasks that don't need GIMP or Photoshop for, because its easy to use and starts up in a snap.
Reply
minibar said 4:43PM on 9-22-2009
paint.net development is far more rationally driven and improvements occur more quickly and consistently than that four-lettered indirect competitor whose vaporware features were discussed yesterday at dls, it strives for more accessibility, and critical mass has been reached so copious plugins are available, though i'd prefer a seamless integration. i've not done any graphics production lately, nor can i speak to the latest advances under the hood where the biggest changes took place since not running win7, but the beta looks promising.
go cougs!
Reply
Fred said 5:41PM on 9-22-2009
Does it support tablets and sensitivity?
Reply
Ryan said 5:32AM on 9-23-2009
Does it allow you to edit .dds files? Does anyone know of freeware that does this? That's been the only reason I've kept my old Photoshop CS2 discs handy.
Reply
Richard said 5:29AM on 9-23-2009
I love Paint.NET.
I use it at work where I cannot get (or justify) a licence for Photoshop and it does the job perfectly. I tried GIMP but the user interface was terrible (not to mention the embarrassing name) - Paint.NET's UI is close enough to Photoshop for me to get on working with it almost immediately.
I'm sure it's not as powerful as GIMP, but my needs are modest.
Reply
LordDaMan said 10:10PM on 9-23-2009
Anyone notice that the new beta has some crazy high cpu usage?
I don't have the best CPU in the word (athlon64 x2 4400) but CPU usage should not be spiking to 50% when you draw a line. It's so bad that you have to draw really slowly or else the line gets screwed up
Other then that, I like the new updates. It's getting to be a really nice app
Reply
ferd said 1:36PM on 9-23-2009
@fred yes it does.
@ryan
In version 3.5 the .DDS handling has been improved!(so yes)
@lorddaman
with the newest version it even needs LESS ram. check if you are having the newest .net framework updates.
Reply
Schmitty said 9:47AM on 10-05-2009
I've used this app for a long time and it's my go-to editor for all small jobs. Note - if you use the update feature within the app to check for this version, make sure to check to look for pre-release versions via the options button on the check for updates page..
Reply