How to Import a Color Palette Into Paint.NET

While graphics programs like GIMP and Inkscape offer multiple ways to import new color palettes, Paint.NET is more limited. That said, there is a workaround that allows you to use custom color palettes in Paint.NET.

How to Import a Custom Color Scheme Into Paint.NET

The first step is to produce your own color palette, or find one created by someone else. You can use any application for this purpose. In this example, we'll use a web application called Coolors.co:

1. Create a custom palette in your web browser, then select Export in the upper-right corner of Coolors.co.

   

2. Select PNG to open the palette in a new window.

   

3. Take a screenshot of the palette.

   In Windows 10, press the Window Key + PrtSc to save screenshots.

   

4. Open Paint.NET and select Layers > Import From File.

   

5. Select the screenshot of your custom palette.

   If you get a warning about the pasted image being larger than the canvas size, select Keep canvas size.

   

6. Select Tool > Rectangle Select, then draw a box around the edges of the palette.

   

7. Select Edit > Invert Selection.

   

8. Select Edit > Erase Selection.

   

9. Go to Tool > Color Picker to choose your color of choice and use it to color objects on other layers.

   You can hide the layer by selecting the checkbox beside its name in the layer's window. Try to keep the colors palette as the uppermost layer.