- Published on
Quoting Rick Brewster
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- DeepHorus
Rick Brewster, the author of Paint.NET, announced on September 2nd, 2026, that the popular image editing software now includes a significant internal workaround to run on Linux via WINE. The project has implemented a complete, clean-room rewrite of the Direct2D graphics API, bypassing the long-standing compatibility hurdle that had previously limited the application's functionality on the open-source compatibility layer.
Direct2D, a hardware-accelerated 2D graphics API from Microsoft, has historically been a major point of failure for Paint.NET when running under WINE. Brewster noted that the WINE implementation of Direct2D would never be complete enough for the software's specific needs, and he could not simply disable the dependency, creating a persistent technical deadlock for Linux users.
The solution is a new internal library contained in PaintDotNet.Windows.Direct2D1.Managed.dll. This file is a from-scratch reverse-engineered replacement that Paint.NET triggers automatically when launched with the /wine command-line flag. The rewrite is substantial, comprising approximately 180,000 lines of new code.
Brewster credited the development of this new codebase almost entirely to the AI coding assistant Claude. He emphasized that the project would not have been possible without the AI's contribution, describing its work rate at times as equivalent to that of "10 freshly unshackled Einstein genius-level 10x coders." The AI assisted with complex tasks including reverse engineering the formulas for Direct2D's built-in effects library.
However, Brewster also clarified that the new code was largely "vibe coded," meaning it has not undergone thorough human review. He stated it is impossible for him to meticulously examine 180,000 lines of AI-generated code, especially since the rest of the Paint.NET codebase totals about 700,000 lines and has been developed over more than 20 years.
Despite the reliance on AI generation, Brewster maintained an active supervisory role. He described having to "babysit" Claude to correct fundamental errors, such as initial failures in COM reference counting. He also intervened to fix poor architectural decisions, indicating a collaborative human-AI development model rather than full automation.
This development represents a major milestone for Paint.NET on Linux. By creating its own Direct2D layer, the software removes a critical dependency and should offer a much more stable and feature-complete experience for users running the application through WINE. The move significantly enhances the viability of a top-tier Windows graphics application on alternative operating systems.
