Microsoft developers announced in their blog Paint app update adding support for layers and transparency begins rolling out to Windows Insiders that we have started updating the Paint applications for Windows insiders on the Canary and Dev channels (version 11.2308.18.0 or higher). With the update, the application will support layers and transparency.
Users will be able to add and remove layers on the canvas to create richer and more complex digital images. This will allow, for example, to overlay various shapes, text and other elements on top of each other.
To get started, you need to click the new Layers button on the toolbar, after which a panel opens to the side of the canvas. There you can change the order of the layers to see how the layout of the image elements will change. Layers can be hidden, duplicated, or combined.
Transparency support has also been added with this update, including the ability to open and save transparent PNG images. When working with a single layer, you will notice a checkerboard pattern on the canvas, indicating the transparent parts of the image. Removing any content from the canvas now really erases the content, rather than painting the area white. When working with multiple layers, if you delete the contents of one layer, you will see the contents of the lower layers.
So far, all of this is available in beta. After running-in and testing, the update will begin to arrive on all Windows PCs.
