This article explains how to use Microsoft Paint's "Invert Color" feature to invert the colors of an image using opposite colors from the color spectrum. If you are using a computer with Windows 10 operating system, make sure you are using the Paint program and not Paint 3D, as the latter does not allow you to invert the colors of an image.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Paint
If you are using Windows 10, you have two different versions of Paint available. The first is called "Paint", while the other is called "Paint 3D". The latter does not allow you to invert the colors of an image. In this case you will have to use the classic version of Paint, which you can start by following these instructions:
- Click on the search bar or on the magnifying glass icon located on the Windows taskbar;
- Type in the keyword paint;
- Click on the app Paint. It features an icon depicting a color palette and a brush.
Step 2. Open the image to edit in Paint
Click on the menu File located in the upper left corner of the window, choose the item You open, then go to the folder where the image is stored. At this point select it and click on the button You open.
Step 3. Click the Select button
It is located within the "Image" group of the Paint ribbon. A list of all program selection tools will be displayed.
Step 4. Click on the item Select all from the menu that appeared
Use this option if you need to invert the colors of the entire image. If you want to invert the colors of a part of the photo instead, choose the option Freehand figure selection, then use the mouse to select the part of the image to process.
Step 5. Click on the selected area with the right mouse button
A context menu will be displayed.
Step 6. Click on the item Invert color of the appeared menu
It should be the last option on the list.
Alternatively, you can press the hotkey combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + I
Method 2 of 2: Windows Vista and Earlier Versions
Step 1. Open the image to edit using Microsoft Paint
You can perform this step directly from the program window or from your computer desktop.
- Start Microsoft Paint by clicking on the program icon on your desktop or in the "Start" menu. When the Paint window appears, click on the menu File and choose the voice You open. Find and select the icon of the image you want to edit, then click the button You open.
- Alternatively, directly select the image file to edit with the right mouse button, choose the option Open with, then select the item Paint.
Step 2. Click on the Image menu
It is located at the top of the Paint window.
Step 3. Click on the item Invert colors in the menu that appeared
The colors of the image will be inverted immediately.
Alternatively, you can press the hotkey combination Ctrl + I
Advice
- The colors used in the inverted image are the scientific complements of the original ones. For example, a yellow-colored object will appear in blue after reversing the coloring of the image and not in purple, which is the traditional complementary color of yellow.
- You can use the tool Selection or Freehand figure selection to select a specific area of the image to apply the "Invert Color" filter.
- You can open a file quickly by pressing the key combination Ctrl + O.
- The file formats most commonly used to create digital images are "BMP," PNG ","-j.webp" />
