Microsoft ’s Paint software is iconic , but while it ’s been a mainstay of Windows for decades , there is no verbatim equivalent on macOS . as luck would have it , there are some make - in practical program that can do many of the same tasks as you could in Paint , and if you want a more robust look-alike editor program , there are third - party solvent , too .

Apple ’s Preview is the ripe Paint choice on Mac , even if it ’s not quite as capable . Preview does n’t allow you to create novel artwork from scratch like Microsoft ’s Paint – there ’s no vacuous canvass . These tools are more for footnote and highlighting pic and other Indian file rather than create new pieces of artwork .

Read on to find out how to turn on the key features hidden on your Mac . We ’ll also go over how to utilise the built - in tools , and if you ’re looking for something simple , we ’ll go over one - for - one Paint replacements you may download .

take down : The screenshots provided below are based on MacOS Big Sur . All the functions are still the same , but the presentation is slightly dissimilar . We also used MacOS in Dark Mode .

Finding the hidden tools in Preview

Use Finder to locate the epitome you want to redact in Preview .

whole step 1 : If the image only appear in the Photos app , decently - come home on the photo , selectEdit Withon the pop - up computer menu , then clickPreview .

stone’s throw 2 : With the Preview app open , click theMarkupbutton resembling the crest of a pen inside a circle . As shown below , it ’s located directly left of the search field . This button displays the Markup Toolbar .

Step 3 : If all you want is to chop-chop draw on your image , click thePencilicon and get to it . Changes are saved as you go , so if you need to keep the original image inviolate , consider nominate a transcript of the icon to edit before diving in .

Cursor tools

The other tools should be evenhandedly obvious if you ’ve ever used an effigy - redact app . However , read on for a agile rundown of each creature , start out from the left wing .

Step 1 : Selection Tools is the first tool on the left . It see what mode your cursor is in , with four case-by-case options . Here , you may select a circumstances of the mental image to move or edit out . There ’s the stock rectangle for selecting an area , along with an prolate selection cock . Two additional lasso tools stick to shapes as you take an area .

tone 2 : Next , the Instant Alpha dick have you click an area of the image to “ magically ” select an entire realm of a similar coloring material .

stone’s throw 3 : The Sketch tool allows you to draw freehand . If all you want is to quickly depict something on top of your existing double , Sketch is what you want . Preview will even mechanically tidy up up your study .

For example , if you essay to freehand a set , the practical app automatically smooths the bender . A jolty circle like the image below …

footstep 4 : … rapidly becomes smooth , as shown below . If you do n’t like the fudge factor , an option to exterminate it appears in the bottom - depart turning point .

Step 5 : Keep in thinker that Sketch is dissimilar than Draw in that it mechanically corrects lines unless you take otherwise — Draw does n’t do that . Sketch also does n’t file vary line width . Draw , on the other hand , relies on a Force Touch trackpad to beguile various stroke widths .

Insert shape and edit tools

The next push group mostly relates to impart specific shapes and text . It also admit the power to resize photos .

Step 1 : The Shapes tool let you add shape — rectangles , circles , talking to bubbles , and stars — now to an epitome .

Step 2 : There ’s also a magnifying feature call Loupe to zoom in on something specific . adapt the overall size using the risque handle and the magnification using the unripened handle .

Step 3 : The Text tool insert a textual matter box to the plaza of your look-alike . you may type whatever you want , then move the text box to its desired location . Font and coloring choices are handled with the Text Style tool on the right - hand side of the toolbar . you could set the font , size , color , and alignment of the current text box or the next text boxwood .

dance step 4 : The Signature shaft allow you slip in a antecedently - saved signature .

whole step 5 : The Adjust Color tool brings up a venire to change the dividing line , saturation level , and so on . experient designers will know what to do here , but everyone else could do unsound than hitting Auto Levels and seeing if they like the resultant .

footstep 6 : The Adjust Size tool allow you change the size of it of the image using a carte .

Style and color toggles

The final section of the toolbar let you set up the thickness , colors , and fonts used by the tools we antecedently outline . These tool are used before or while editing vignette and material body .

footstep 1 : The Shape Style putz lets you choose the heaviness of lines created by other tools . you may also practice it to add a variety of textures and add up a fall shadow .

Step 2 : The Border Color shaft , establish below , let you set up an scheme vividness for the current form or the next shape you create .

gradation 3 : The Fill Color tool , set to the right of the Border Color tool , lets you coiffure a tad for the inside of your current physical body or the next one you make .

That ’s it for the Markup Toolbar . You ’ll comment a few feature film are miss , such as options that allow you to pasture and rotate an image .

you’re able to find these options by clickingToolson the menu bar . You ’ll also see most of the Markup Toolbar affair listed under Annotate on the Tools drop - down menu .

Paint alternatives for Mac

If you truly desire a stripped - down interlingual rendition of Paint , we recommend taking a look atPaintbrush . This simplistic editor program shares the same abilities as Paint and performs them in about the same manner .

Patinais a cracking Paint choice if you do n’t beware spending three dollars to receive comparable features couple with a blanket scope . For what you get out of the app , the cost is just a drop in the pail , so we imagine it ’s a fair price for Patina .

Paintbrush and Patina are extremely standardized to Microsoft ’s classical Paint app . Both apps will take some recitation before you ’ll be capable to use them effortlessly . We liken the learn time to the subroutine in Preview , which becomes easy to use once you give each cock a endeavour .

Paint alternatives for Mac FAQ

Is there anything similar to Paint on Mac?

The Preview program within macOS itself tender a number of the same functions as the traditional Microsoft Paint program . It ’s a trivial overcomplicated compared to Paint , but it can do most of what you might need to use Paint for . It ’s alsogreat for use up screenshots , and forsplitting and combine PDFs .

Alternatively , PaintbrushandPatinaare majuscule Paint alternative , as isSeashore , a aboriginal Mac covering with an expanded feature typeset for more advances image and photo editing functions .

Does Mac have a Paint option?

Unfortunately macOS does not have a nonremittal photo and epitome manipulation tool quite like Paint . There are built - in tools and a number of like third - party alternatives you could utilize , which we lean above .

No matter what app you decide to toy around with , you ’ll be able-bodied to teach it chop-chop and find it to be a fun way to be creative . Whether you recently change to a Mac computer or laptop computer , or you ’ve been reminiscing about your puerility Paint adventures , you ca n’t go wrong with any of these originative apps .

Before you drop any money on a different case of Paint app , we suggest that you give Preview a endeavour because though it seems like a simple app , it has a lot to offer . Preview includes a swell variety of feature that might help you do all of the originative work you want .