InkscapeLinux
vs
Microsoft Paint 3DWindows
Inkscape as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Paint 3D
Updated
Our verdict
Inkscape is a solid replacement for Microsoft Paint 3D if you mainly need 2‑D vector drawing, basic 3‑D mesh creation, and export to common formats. It excels at vector editing, node manipulation, and scalable graphics, but it lacks the quick 3‑D sculpting and animation tools that Paint 3D offers. Users who want a free, cross‑platform, feature‑rich drawing program will find Inkscape useful, while those who rely on Paint 3D’s 3‑D painting workflow may need additional tools.
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.4.4 (May 6, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support creating and editing 3‑D meshes and applying textures
- Both allow exporting to common 3‑D and raster formats
- Both provide a simple UI for quick projects
- Both support layering
- Both are cross‑platform
What is different
- Inkscape focuses on vector graphics, Paint 3D on 3‑D painting
- Paint 3D offers basic animation tools, Inkscape does not
- Paint 3D includes a 3‑D sculpting interface, Inkscape does not
- Inkscape uses SVG natively, Paint 3D uses its own 3‑D format
- Inkscape lacks the built‑in 3‑D material editor present in Paint 3D
Opening your Microsoft Paint 3D files
Inkscape can import and export standard 3‑D formats such as OBJ, STL, and FBX, but it does not natively read Paint 3D’s proprietary .3mf or .psd files. Converting a Paint 3D project to a compatible format (e.g., exporting as OBJ) is required before opening it in Inkscape.
Switching from Microsoft Paint 3D to Inkscape, step by step
- Export your Paint 3D project to an OBJ or STL file.
- Open the exported file in Inkscape via File → Import.
- Use Inkscape’s node editing tools to refine the mesh.
- Apply textures by creating bitmap images and applying them as fills.
- Save the final artwork as SVG for vector use or export to PNG/PNG for raster.
- If needed, use a 3‑D viewer to verify the mesh before final export.
Key features of Inkscape
- SVG‑native file format
- Node editing and path operations
- Cloning and marker support
- Bitmap tracing
- Alpha blending and filters
- Extensible via extensions
- Cross‑platform
- Community‑maintained
How to install Inkscape on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.inkscape.Inkscapesudo apt install inkscapesudo apt install inkscapesudo dnf install inkscapesudo pacman -S inkscapesudo zypper install inkscapeFrequently asked questions
Can I edit a Paint 3D file directly in Inkscape?
No, Inkscape cannot open Paint 3D’s native .3mf or .psd files directly. You must first export the model to a format like OBJ or STL.
Does Inkscape support 3‑D animation?
Inkscape does not provide animation tools for 3‑D models. It focuses on static vector graphics and basic 3‑D mesh manipulation.
Is Inkscape free?
Yes, Inkscape is released under the GPL‑2.0‑or‑later license and is available for free on all major Linux distributions.
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