Tools Window Components
The Tools Window is where you choose the active tool, which may then be used to edit the image.
Tools
Selection Tools
Rectangle Select
You may use this to define a rectangle or square selection region. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Shape Selection Tools section.
Lasso Select
You may use this to draw a freeform selection region. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Shape Selection Tools section.
Ellipse Select
You may use this to draw an ellipse or circle selection region. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Shape Selection Tools section.
Magic Wand
You may use this to select areas of the active layer that are similar in color. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Magic Wand section.
Move Tools
Move Selected Pixels
You may use this to move pixels that are currently selected as a result of using the various Selection Tools.
Move Selection
You may use this to move the selection without affecting the pixels that are selected.
View Tools
Zoom
This tool can be used to zoom in (left click), zoom out (right click), or zoom the whole canvas around a particular region (draw a rectangle).
Pan
Using this tool you can scroll, or pan through the image. This functionality is also usable from any other tool at any time: simply hold down the spacebar and then click and drag with the mouse.
Fill Tools
Paint Bucket
This tool is useful for filling in areas of similar color with a different color. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Paint Bucket Tool section.
Gradient
The Gradient Tool allows you to draw gradients (a gradual blend of one color to another) in several formats. With its transparency mode, you can also "fade" or "blend" two images together. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Gradient Tool section.
Drawing Tools
Paintbrush
This tool is selected by default when you start Paint.NET, and is useful for many kinds of freeform drawing. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Paintbrush Tool section.
Eraser
You may use this tool to erase areas of the image (it sets the opacity, or alpha, to 0). For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Eraser Tool section.
Pencil
This allows you to edit the active layer pixel-by-pixel. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Pencil Tool section.
Photo Tools
Color Picker
You can use this tool to pick up a color from the active layer and set it as the current primary or secondary color. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Color Picker Tool section.
Clone Stamp
This tool is useful for copying regions of pixels between layers, or within the same layer. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Clone Stamp Tool section.
Recolor Tool
This tool is useful for replacing one color with another. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Recolor Tool section.
Text and Shape Tools
Text Tool
This tool can be used for placing text on the image. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Text Tool section.
Line/Curve Tool
You may draw straight lines and curved lines with this tool. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Line/Curve Tool section.
Rectangle
This can be used to draw rectangles and squares. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Geometric Shape Tools section.
Rounded Rectangle
This can be used to draw rounded rectangles and rounded squares. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Geometric Shape Tools section.
Ellipse
This can be used to draw ellipses and circles. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Geometric Shape Tools section.
Freeform Shape
This can be used to draw a shape with a freeform outline. For greater discussion of how to use this tool, please visit the Geometric Shape Tools section.