paint.net 4.0.21 is now available

This update fixes one major bug in Edit -> Paste that was introduced in 4.0.20.

If you’re using the Windows Store release, you should get the update automatically within the next few days.

For the Classic release, you can use the built-in updater by going to ⚙ Settings → Updates → Check Now. You can also download it directly from the website.

Change log:

  • Fixed a bug where a pasted image would be clipped after choosing "Keep canvas size"

Enjoy!

23 thoughts on “paint.net 4.0.21 is now available”

  1. Pingback: @WinObs Tweeted Links for January 15, 2018 – WindowsObserver Wiki
  6. Shawn says:

    As the developer, would you prefer users get Paint.net from the Windows Store or the traditional download?

    • Rick Brewster says:

      I’d actually prefer the Windows Store version. For users, it’s just a better experience: you go to the Store app and tell it to install everything you own and you’re done. No more tracking down installers and navigating websites and clicking through setup wizards that try and get you to install toolbars (Paint.NET doesn’t do that, but it’s a common theme for desktop apps). Updates are completely automatic and they just happen — you don’t have to confirm with several clicks and lots of waiting, and then finger crossing that it hopefully doesn’t break (Paint.NET’s installer and updater are very reliable, but _not_ 100.0%).

      For me as the developer, it’s also a lot better. I can assume that everyone is using the latest version — within a day or two, at least, which is definitely good enough. I send lots of e-mails every week to folks who’ve sent me crash logs from older versions … “Hello, Please install the latest version, that crash is already fixed. -Rick” Sure I’d save the time from sending those e-mails, but it would also ensure that a lot of people aren’t being subjected to old bugs. (I’m assuming most people _don’t_ send me the crash logs, they just suffer with the old bugs or something.) The worst are the crash logs that include the line, “Updates: False” which indicates the updater isn’t even enabled (why would you even send me the crash log?! step 1 is always to check for updates!!!).

      If everyone was on the Store version, then I could assume they’re on a modern version of Windows 10, and then I could easily target new OS features without having to double back and do tons of testing on the older OS versions. There are some Direct2D features that I haven’t been able to use for _years_ because of this. I also don’t have to maintain installers and updaters (see also: part 1, https://blog.getpaint.net/2008/08/24/the-paintnet-install-experience-part-1-version-3xx/ and part 2, https://blog.getpaint.net/2008/08/25/the-paintnet-install-experience-part-2-version-40/ ). The installer/updater for Paint.NET is an area that I just can’t take any risks on — even if it’s just to make it prettier. If I brick updates, I lose my user base.

      And, yes, there’s the financial side. If every Paint.NET user were to purchase it on the Store, I’d end up with a pretty good sized financial windfall. Having money is great, right, but corporations and rich people are also evil, right? 🙂 Except in this case it would immediately fulfill my longest term financial goals and I’d ……. well, I’d have a lot more time to work on Paint.NET and other things, if you get my drift. And that would be fantastically great for all Paint.NET users as well. It would be a virtuous circle.

      I’m sure there’s more to elaborate on, but I’ll stop here for now…

      • Shawn says:

        Good explanation! Consider me a convert. My first purchase on the Microsoft Store. I like the idea of the updates happening in the background, and considering how long I’ve used Paint.Net, I’m more than overdue in supporting it. Thanks for all the work you’ve put into it.

  7. Marina says:

    I have version 4.0.21. I hate it when you use the rubber and the hardness is not 100% that there is grey at the “edge”. (Good to see when the brush is big). I would love to see a function that lets you decide if you want this grey or no colour like before. Aside that issue it is a great software.

    • Rick Brewster says:

      That’s the way it’s supposed to work. I’m not sure what you’re expecting? If you want it to be at a lower transparency, then set the Alpha value in the Colors window. You can also turn off antialiasing in the toolbar, that might get you the effect you’re looking for.

  8. Sameer says:

    Thanks for the update to this fantastic app! A few quick observations:

    1. The installer should have an option to simply extract files for Portable Mode, OR there should be a separate ZIP file download of the app’s files for Portable Mode users to upgrade easily.

    2. Small bug: Settings > Diagnostics > Open crash log folder – I kept clicking on the word “folder” and it did nothing, leading me to wonder if the link was broken. Apparently for some reason only “Open crash log ” acts as a link while “folder” doesn’t.

    3. I wanted to post in the forum but apparently I’m banned? Huh? Did you ban all IPs from my ISP or country or something? I can assure you I’m not a spammer! Surely you can have better spam-prevention in place instead of blanket bans keeping out genuine users?

    • Sameer says:

      P.S. Forget posting, can’t even *read* some useful forum threads. This is ridiculously over the top.

        • Sameer says:

          Thanks, but I have a dynamic IP. I’ll let you know the current one so you can see which block it matches in your blacklist.

          Don’t you use Cloudflare or similar? Also, why the ban on even *viewing* content? How does that help with spammers?

          • EJlol says:

            It may help against spammers. Not only may spammers spam, they may also scrape the forum to find a next target to spam. It would also help a little bit against DDoS, as the page would have less bytes to send.

  9. Sarah says:

    Just upgraded to 4.0.21 and it crashes whenever I click on the settings icon. Not a huge deal since I’ve never needed to use it before but I would like to use the white theme. I sent a crash report in an email but thought I would post here too in case anyone else is having the issue.

  10. Andrea says:

    is it possible to implement the vertical and horizontal alignment of the various levels?
    if it already exists, where are the commands?

  11. Nick says:

    It would be great if the layer panel get more improvements. Esp no folder/group support is very inconvenient when there are quite a number of layers in a pdn file. One other thing I don’t like is that when uncheck a layer, another layer automatically got selected which get the scrolling position shifted. Sometimes I just to quickly toggle a layer to see whats in the layer.

  13. Anthony Mauldin says:

    It would be super if Paint.Net had a stage to enter image elements in the place of document sized layers. In software like in Adobe’s Flash, Microsoft’s Power Point, and especially their Expression Design; the layers are more manageable and the user can have image elements outside of the document in this staging area. Will a layering feature like this ever come to Paint.Net?

  14. John R says:

    FYI Update won’t install on Windows 10 1511.

    NET Framework 4.7.1 refuses to run on this OS and just quits out.

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