Like Photos, Microsoft Paint now has a magic eraser. Thanks to AI, the famous graphics software integrated into Windows makes it very easy to remove annoying elements in an image.
You certainly know the problem. You took a photo during an event or a walk, but upon examining it, you notice that there are unwanted elements in the image: passers-by behind your child, a power pole in front of a house, an unsightly sign in the landscape… So many unwelcome details which spoil your shot and which you would happily do without.
However, even if you have some knowledge of image editing, erasing these elements in an image with specialized software such as Photoshop is not an easy operation. And only experienced graphic designers can use fairly sophisticated tools to remove objects or people from a photo while reconstituting the missing decor to obtain a natural result.
Fortunately, many publishers have addressed the issue in recent years. And thanks to very sophisticated algorithmic processes, which are generally referred to as artificial intelligence, they have managed to develop a sort of “magic wand” which carries out this operation automatically: a few clicks are enough to erase an element in an image. while reconstituting what it hides. Known as “magic eraser”, this spectacular function has become widespread for some time. And after having been popularized on smartphones by Google (see our article), it is now integrated into numerous applications and online services, which makes it accessible to a very wide audience.
Magic eraser in Windows: after Photos, it's Paint's turn
The good news for PC users is that Microsoft is not left behind in this area. A few months ago, the publisher discreetly added a magic eraser to Photos, the application integrated as standard into Windows, in a rudimentary form but quite effective for simple retouching (see our article). Today, and as noted by our colleagues at Windows Latest, the publisher continues this great momentum by integrating a similar function into Paint, the venerable and still valiant graphics software integrated into Windows since the dawn of time.
After a long period of testing with members of the Windows Insider program, Paint has a magic eraser now accessible to everyone – and therefore always for free. Renamed “generative eraser”, it is available in two ways.
On the one hand, by using the selection tool, the first on the left in the tool palette then by delimiting an area with a rectangle or a free shape framing the element to be deleted: all you have to do is click on the Magic eraser icon that automatically appears at the end of the selection and wait. On the other hand, by selecting the eraser tool in the palette, then again clicking on the magic eraser icon which appears under the vertical size adjustment cursor on the left: you must then go manually the eraser on the area to be treated, then click this time on the Apply button which appears in a banner to start the treatment.
In both cases, the operation lasts a few tens of seconds depending on the image chosen, the area to be treated and the power of the computer used. After this period of time essential for processing, the unwanted element disappears, giving way to the background reconstituted by AI. As we can see, the operation is simple, and really within everyone's reach. However, as we have observed during our various tests, the result is very variable: acceptable or even very correct in certain cases, when the unwanted element and the background are relatively simple, it can turn out to be quite mediocre in images with more complex content, with fairly visible artifacts. Fortunately, it is possible to refine the result or even cancel the operation with Ctrl+Z to resume it differently.
In any case, even if it is not worth more effective and more subtle professional tools, Paint's generative erasure constitutes an appreciable development, especially since this function is free. Let's just hope that Microsoft improves it over time and software updates to make it an essential tool.
