This update adds AV1 (*.avif) loading support, significantly improves DirectDraw Surface (DDS) support, adds 4-bit saving for PNG, BMP, and TIFF, fixes several bugs, and optimizes startup time.

If you’re using the Windows Store release, you should get the update automatically within the next 24 hours. You can also force an update check by following these instructions.

For the Classic release, you should be offered the update automatically within the next week or so. You can get the updater soon by going to ⚙ Settings → Updates → Check Now. You can also download and install it directly from the website.

Regarding the bundling of DDSFileTypePlus, which replaces the old built-in DDS support: The key word here is bundling. The plugin is now installed into a separate directory called Bundled (a technical detail that you shouldn’t have to worry about). If you already have DDSFileTypePlus installed into the FileTypes directory then it will not be loaded; instead, the bundled version will be used (usually … keep reading).

However, the bundled plugin is only updated when Paint.NET itself is updated, and @null54 will still be releasing DDSFileTypePlus updates independently of Paint.NET’s updates. If you want to, you can still install the DDSFileTypePlus plugin into the FileTypes directory. If the "user-installed" version (in the FileTypes directory) is newer than the "bundled" version, then the user-installed version will be used instead of the bundled version.

tl;dr — The DDSFileTypePlus plugin can exist in two locations: "Bundled" (which comes with Paint.NET) and "FileTypes" (where you normally install plugins). Whichever one is newer will be loaded, and the other one is ignored.

So, for many folks, you can just leave DDSFileTypePlus alone and it will automatically be updated to its latest version whenever a Paint.NET update is installed. But if a new version of DDSFileTypePlus is released and it contains a feature or a fix that you need, and you can’t wait, you can just install it like usual and it will be used instead of the (older) bundled version.

(Also, note that the .dds2 file extension is no longer necessary when using DDSFileTypePlus — whether it’s bundled or user-installed!)

Changes since 4.2.1:

New: AV1 (*.avif) images can now be opened (saving is not supported). Windows 10 v1809+ and Microsoft’s AV1 Codec are required (download: https://www.microsoft.com/p/av1-video-extension-beta/9mvzqvxjbq9v)

AV1 (*.avif) images can now be opened (saving is not supported). Windows 10 v1809+ and Microsoft’s AV1 Codec are required (download: https://www.microsoft.com/p/av1-video-extension-beta/9mvzqvxjbq9v) New: DirectDraw Surface (*.dds) support has been greatly improved due to bundling @null54‘s DDSFileTypePlus v1.9.6.0 plugin. All DX10/DX11 formats should now be supported (e.g. BC4, BC5, BC6H, BC7), and encoding (saving) will make use of the GPU to greatly improve performance. Note that it’s no longer necessary to use the ".dds2" file extension.

DirectDraw Surface (*.dds) support has been greatly improved due to bundling @null54‘s DDSFileTypePlus v1.9.6.0 plugin. All DX10/DX11 formats should now be supported (e.g. BC4, BC5, BC6H, BC7), and encoding (saving) will make use of the GPU to greatly improve performance. Note that it’s no longer necessary to use the ".dds2" file extension. New: 4-bit saving is now supported for PNG, BMP, and TIFF

4-bit saving is now supported for PNG, BMP, and TIFF New: The palette selection menu will now indicate which palette is currently active (thanks @null54 for the implementation!)

The palette selection menu will now indicate which palette is currently active (thanks @null54 for the implementation!) Improved: The maximum image size is now 262,144 x 262,144 pixels, up from 65,535 x 65,535 pixels. This is mostly for accommodating very tall or very wide images.

The maximum image size is now 262,144 x 262,144 pixels, up from 65,535 x 65,535 pixels. This is mostly for accommodating very tall or very wide images. Improved: Startup performance has been improved for multi-core CPUs

Startup performance has been improved for multi-core CPUs Improved: Startup performance has been improved when a lot of custom shapes are installed

Startup performance has been improved when a lot of custom shapes are installed Fixed: EXIF metadata of type Float and Double are now supported. This ensures GeoTIFF metadata is preserved.

EXIF metadata of type Float and Double are now supported. This ensures GeoTIFF metadata is preserved. Fixed: Opening an image should no longer flicker due to the transparency checkerboard being drawn first

Opening an image should no longer flicker due to the transparency checkerboard being drawn first Fixed: TGA images that are 16-bit with 1-bit alpha with a zero’d out alpha channel are now treated as opaque. This allows images from 5CC Map Maker (for Close Combat modding) to work. Thanks @null54 for the fix!

TGA images that are 16-bit with 1-bit alpha with a zero’d out alpha channel are now treated as opaque. This allows images from 5CC Map Maker (for Close Combat modding) to work. Thanks @null54 for the fix! Fixed: JPEG XR’s file extensions (*.jxr, *.wdp, *.wmp) are now registered with Explorer

JPEG XR’s file extensions (*.jxr, *.wdp, *.wmp) are now registered with Explorer Fixed: Pasting images that use RGB pixel ordering should now work (this affects PaintTool SAI)

Pasting images that use RGB pixel ordering should now work (this affects PaintTool SAI) Fixed a crash when manually typing in a very large number for the zoom level in the status bar

Enjoy!