Microsoft announced Wednesday that the next major Windows 10 release, dubbed the Creators Update, will land in early 2017 as a free upgrade for all users. The headliner: a brand-new Paint 3D app that lets anyone craft three-dimensional objects, a Remix 3D community for sharing creations, and the ability to whip up custom 3D emoji.

A New Paint for a New Dimension

The biggest change is Paint 3D, a modern replacement for the classic Paint program that has shipped with Windows since 1985. The new app keeps the simple drawing and photo-editing tools people know, but adds a full set of features for building, customizing, and sharing 3D models. You can start from scratch with basic shapes, import images and turn them into 3D objects, or pull in models from the Remix 3D library.

During the onstage demo, Microsoft showed how you can sketch a 2D shape, then use a slider to give it depth. A photo of a cat became a 3D model with just a few clicks. The app even taps into your device’s camera to capture faces and wrap them onto 3D characters—think of creating a personalized emoji that looks just like you.

Paint 3D also ties directly into Minecraft. Users can export creations as 3D files and import them into the game, or even use the app to design Minecraft worlds from scratch. For educators, this opens a low-barrier path to teaching 3D design and spatial thinking.

Remix 3D: A Community Library

Alongside Paint 3D, Microsoft introduced Remix 3D, an online gallery where people can publish their 3D creations and download models made by others. The idea is to offer a vast repository of free, reusable 3D content—from furniture and vehicles to characters and entire scenes.

Once a model is in Remix 3D, anyone can open it in Paint 3D, modify it, and then re-share the new version. The service is integrated directly into the app, so you can browse, select, and drop assets into your canvas without ever opening a web browser. Microsoft also plans to make Remix 3D models accessible from Office apps like PowerPoint and Word, so you can drop 3D objects into documents and presentations.

Emoji with a Personal Touch

The Creators Update will also let users craft custom 3D emoji. Using a PC’s webcam, the software captures facial expressions and maps them onto an emoji character in real time. You can tweak the appearance—hairstyle, accessories, skin tone—and then paste the animated emoji into messages, social media posts, or emails.

This isn’t just a fun gimmick; it points to a broader integration of 3D across Windows. The same technology can be used to create avatars for Skype, Xbox Live, and other Microsoft services, giving you a consistent 3D presence across platforms.

What the Creators Update Means for You

For home users, the Creators Update turns a Windows 10 PC into a creative tool that rivals entry-level design software. If you’ve ever wanted to dabble in 3D modeling for 3D printing, game modding, or just making personalized gifts, the new Paint and Remix 3D lower the barrier dramatically. No expensive software licenses or steep learning curves required.

For educators, the update is a potential game-changer. Paint 3D’s integration with Minecraft and its simple, intuitive interface make 3D design approachable for students of all ages. Microsoft has long pitched Minecraft: Education Edition as a way to teach STEM concepts; now, students can build their own 3D worlds from scratch and share them with classmates.

For developers and IT pros, the Creators Update signals deeper 3D platform capabilities. Microsoft is building APIs and services that let third-party apps tap into Remix 3D and the same 3D content pipeline. Expect to see more line-of-business applications that use 3D models for training, prototyping, or data visualization.

For anyone with a 3D printer, Paint 3D provides a built-in path from screen to physical object. The app includes one-click export to 3D printing services, and it supports common file formats like STL. You can design a custom phone case, a replacement part, or a piece of art and send it straight to the printer without hunting for conversion tools.

How We Got Here: From MSPaint to 3D for Everyone

Classic Microsoft Paint came bundled with the very first version of Windows in 1985. For decades, it offered only the most basic drawing tools—pixels, lines, and fill buckets. Despite its simplicity, it earned a devoted following and became one of the most widely used programs on the planet.

In recent years, Microsoft has explored 3D creation with apps like 3D Builder, but those tools never reached a mainstream audience. Meanwhile, the company invested heavily in mixed reality with HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, betting that 3D content would become central to computing.

The Creators Update is the fruition of that vision. By embedding 3D tools directly into the operating system and making them brain-dead simple to use, Microsoft hopes to democratize 3D creation just as Paint democratized bitmap editing three decades ago.

The announcement on Wednesday at a New York City press event also included the Surface Studio, a high-end all-in-one PC with a touchscreen that folds down into a digital drafting table. While the Studio targets professionals, the 3D features rolling out with the Creators Update are designed for every Windows 10 PC—laptop, desktop, or tablet.

What to Do Now

The Creators Update won’t arrive for a few months, but you can start preparing. If you’re comfortable testing early software, join the Windows Insider Program and switch to the Fast ring. Early builds should include preview versions of Paint 3D and the Remix 3D integration, giving you a hands-on look before the official release.

For everyone else, simply ensure your Windows 10 device is set to receive updates automatically. When the Creators Update rolls out in early 2017—likely under version number 1703—it will download and install as a routine feature update. No additional purchase or activation is required.

If you’re especially interested in 3D printing or game modding, start exploring the Remix 3D website once it goes live. The library is expected to grow quickly after launch, and early users will define its initial culture and content. Similarly, if you use an older iPad or Android tablet for drawing, you might consider trying out a Windows 10 touchscreen device; the new Paint is optimized for pen and touch input.

Outlook: The Beginning of a 3D Windows

The Creators Update is just the first step. Microsoft has made clear that 3D will become a first-class citizen across its ecosystem. Future updates will likely deepen the ties between Paint 3D, Office, Skype, and the Windows shell itself. And with HoloLens and mixed reality headsets on the horizon, the ability to create and share 3D content directly from a PC becomes a foundational piece of the puzzle.

For now, Windows users have a rare gift: a genuinely innovative update that costs nothing and asks only that you have a compatible device. Whether you’re an artist, a tinkerer, or simply someone who loves to personalize your digital life, the Creators Update promises to make your PC more creative than ever.