Windows Paint, now equipped with AI-powered image creation capabilities, is now available for a select group of users within the Windows Insider Program. Microsoft announced the integration of DALL-E, an AI model, into the Paint app during its Surface event. The rollout of this feature is happening gradually, starting with those who signed up for the waitlist.

Fortunately, I was among the lucky few and had the opportunity to test out the Image Creator in Windows Paint. This feature offers more control compared to the DALL-E functionality found in Bing.com/create or Bing Chat, thanks to the addition of the “Choose a style” feature.

Microsoft is currently testing the “Choose a style” functionality in Paint, which allows users to customize the generated images. There are various styles to choose from, including Charcoal, Ink Sketch, Watercolor, Oil Painting, Digital Art, Photorealistic, Anime, and Pixel Art.

Let me give you a breakdown of how each AI style works based on our tests:

– Charcoal: This style simulates charcoal sketches by generating images with soft, textured strokes that resemble charred wood. It produces grayscale portrayals of various subjects, such as serene mountainscapes.
– Ink Sketch: By selecting this style, you can expect bold and defined drawings with consistent lines, resembling classic ink drawings. For instance, you could ask Paint to create an ink sketch of a cat playing with a yarn ball.
– Watercolor: Choosing this style will result in images with soft, blending colors that create a watercolor painting effect. It captures the wet atmosphere of a scene, just like a rainy city street.
– Oil Painting: With this style, the AI in Paint generates rich and textured images, mirroring the deep hues and thick layers characteristic of oil paints. For example, you could request an oil painting of a sunflower field at sunset.
– Digital Art: This style produces artwork with precise lines, vibrant colors, and unique effects associated with digital mediums. For a futuristic cityscape, you can prompt Paint to craft a digital art piece.
– Photorealistic: Paint’s AI can create highly detailed and accurate images, delivering a photorealistic experience. Just ask for a beach scene during summer, and you’ll witness a stunning representation.
– Anime: As an anime enthusiast myself, I must say that this style is my personal favorite. Paint’s DALL-E can generate anime-styled characters or scenes, such as a space explorer character.
– Pixel Art: Selecting this style will produce blocky, grid-like representations reminiscent of early video game graphics. It’s perfect for creating pixel art scenes, like a forest with creatures.

During my tests, I asked the AI to generate a crossover image of two anime characters, Eren Yeager and Satoru Gojo, and the results were remarkably accurate.

To access the Cocreator in Paint and generate DALL-E-powered images, you’ll need to join the Windows Insider Program and download the latest version of Paint from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, you can find the “Cocreator” button in the toolbox. Clicking on this button will take you to a familiar interface commonly seen in third-party AI image creators. Simply provide a prompt to describe the artwork you want and click the “create” button after finalizing the desired style.

In addition to the AI capabilities, Microsoft has also updated Paint with features such as background removal, layers, and transparency support, enhancing its functionality further.