[Archived] Need to get images out of Paint 3D or save your work for later? Find out here how to export and save images in Paint 3D ⤓ to JPEG, PNG, GIF, PBX, etc. — and where files from Paint 3D are saved.
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Where Paint 3D Files are Saved (+ How to Export)
Default Paint 3D Save Locations: Overview
| File Type | |
|---|---|
| 2D image | “Pictures” folder in your Windows home folder or on OneDrive |
| 3D Object | “3D Objects” folder in your Windows home folder |
| Videos | “Videos” folder in your Windows home folder or on OneDrive |
| Paint 3D Projects | “Projects” folder in the Paint 3D folder inside %LocalAppData%\Packages |
Save an Image as JPEG in Paint 3D
Time needed: 3 minutes
To export a creation as a JPEG file from Paint 3D:
- Click Menu in the Paint 3D toolbar.
Paint 3D keyboard shortcut: You can also press Alt F to open the menu.
- Select Save as from the menu that has appeared.
- Now choose Image under Save as copy.
- Select 2D - JPEG under Save as type: in the file saving dialog.
Why JPEG: Use the JPEG format for photos and graphics with complicated patterns, textures, or color gradients but without sharp edges.
- Type the name you want to use for the saved JPEG file under File name:.
No “jay-pack” necessary: You need not use a file extension; Paint 3D will automatically append .jpeg to the file’s name.
- Optional: Choose a different export folder using the Windows file tree.
Default export location: By default, Paint 3D exports to the Pictures folder on your computer or on OneDrive.
Where Paint 3D files are saved: See below for the default file location for Paint 3D files (versus exports). - Click Save.
Save space not just images: Compress the resulting image to optimize its file size.
Save an Image as PNG or GIF
To save a graphic as a PNG or GIF file (including a transparent background) file from Paint 3D:
- Select Menu (
) in your Paint 3D’s toolbar. - Choose Save as on the sheet that has come up.
- Under Save as copy, select Image.
- Choose 2D - PNG for PNG and 2D - GIF under Save as type:.
Why PNG: Use PNG and GIF formats for graphics that contain large areas filled with a uniform color, sharp edges (such as text) or transparency. - Enter the name you want to use for the exported PNG or GIF file under File name:.
Extensions: Paint 3D will automatically append .png or .gif respectively, you do not have to type the file extension. - Click Save.
Want an animated GIF? How to Export from Paint 3D to a GIF or MPEG Animation
Save a 3D Model
To save your creation as a 3D asset you can easily import and use in 3D modeling applications or 3D words:
- Click the Menu icon () in Microsoft Paint 3D for Windows 10.
- Now select Save as.
Note: If you are editing a 3D model file (GLB, FBX or 3MF) in Paint 3D, you can also choose Save to save the file at its current location. - Choose 3D model under Save as copy.
- Navigate to the folder where you would like to save the 3D model in the Save As dialog.
- Select 3D - GLB (*.glb), 3D - FBX (*.fbx) or 3D - 3MF (*.3mf) under Save as type.
Which format: You can open GLB files mostly in Paint 3D; FBX files work in Autodesk, ROBLOX and Cheetah3D; and you can load 3MF files with SolidWorks, Ultimaker Cura, PTC Creo and other applications more. - Type the name you want to use for the 3D asset file under File name:.
No need to type “glb”: Paint 3D will append the file extension automatically. - Click Save.
How to Save a Paint 3D File
To save the current state of your Paint 3D file as a project you can pick up for further editing later:
- Click the Menu icon in Paint 3D.
- Choose Save as.
Tip: To replace the saved version of a project you have opened in Paint 3D, click Save instead. - Click Paint 3D project under Save as Paint 3D project on the sheet that has appeared.
- Type the name that will help you recognize the file later under Name your project.
Note: If you use a name already used for another (or the same) project in Paint 3D, the program will not warn you and will not overwrite the existing project either; instead, Paint 3D will create a new project with the same name. You can always delete superfluous projects, of course. - Click Save in Paint 3D.
Where Paint 3D Project Files are Saved
If you do not export in Paint 3D and pick a folder for saving, Paint 3D stores projects in the following internal folder by default:
%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.MSPaint_<quasi-random string>\LocalState\Projects.
(Tested with version 6.2004–6.2310; first published July 2020, last updated July 2024)