Paint.NET Plugin API Documentation

Here you will find documentation and reference material for Paint.NET plugin development.

Currently this is mostly a simple reference of namespaces, classes, etc. This will eventually expand to include articles detailing the process of writing a plugin (creating a Visual Studio project, or using CodeLab, what assemblies to reference, etc.). Over time, more documentation will be added to individual classes, methods, etc. Some of them already have good documentation, but most have nothing.

Here are some useful links to get started with plugin development:

• Plugins section of the Paint.NET Forum, for publishing and downloading plugins
• Installing Additional Plugins documentation for users of plugins
• Plugin Developer's Central section of the Paint.NET Forum, for information, discussion, and questions about plugin development
• PdnV5SampleEffects
  • This will show you the right way to set up a Visual Studio project (look at the .csproj!), and how to write either a BitmapEffect or a GpuEffect.
  • GitHub source code: https://github.com/paintdotnet/PdnV5EffectSamples
• CodeLab, by BoltBait
  • This is a good and (very!) popular way to write an effect plugin. Works for both BitmapEffect (CPU) and GpuEffect (GPU).
  • Website: https://boltbait.com/pdn/codelab/
  • Forum page with discussion: https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/121344-codelab-v68-for-paintnet-50-updated-january-22-2023/
  • GitHub source code: https://github.com/BoltBait/CodeLab
• Plugin Dev channel on the Paint.NET Discord Server
  • Invitation link: https://discord.gg/wQhWmqDP