(Follow me on Twitter: msftkitchen)

During the Windows 7 PDC 2008 keynote, Sinofsky assured that Beta 1 would be feature-complete. I really hope that’s not the case… at least, with MS Paint, that is. Personally, I love MS Paint. I never install any 3rd party image applications because I’ve never needed them. The one thing I’ve always had to work around is translucency with PNGs. Paint hates PNGs, so I thought maybe the Windows 7 revision in all of its glitz and glamour might finally complete my life. Alas, I was wrong. I find it hard to believe that with all of the added functionality in Paint, proper handling of translucent PNGs is nowhere to be found. I let out a literal chuckle and shook my head as I went to create the screenshot I wanted to make my point here, you know why? Because when I pasted the 2 images, I noticed a spiffy little shadow underneath the canvas. I mean, yeah, it looks good but where the hell is the REAL added value?? lol. Check it out (click on the image to see it in full resolution):

I know that looks a little confusing at first but look at where the 2 red arrows are pointing. Neat, huh? No purpose, but neat-looking! Now, from top-to-bottom, the two Office 14 graphics you see there are opened in MS Paint and the freeware application Paint.NET, respectively. Yeah… freeware. I love the fact that Microsoft are on track with updating at least the looks and some of the functionality in their timeless applications, but can a loyal and avid user/fan of MS Paint get a little PNG support, PLEASE!? =)

-Stephen

EDIT: Oh, and layer support to some degree! That’d be fan-freakin’-tastic.