How to Draw Dashed or Dotted Lines in Paint.NET

Creating dashed or dotted lines in Paint.NET is a straightforward process handled directly through the application's top toolbar. By utilizing the built-in stroke style settings of the Line/Curve tool, you can instantly change standard solid strokes into various patterns such as dashes, dots, or alternating dash-dot sequences without requiring any third-party plugins.

Step 1: Select the Line / Curve Tool

Open your image or create a new canvas in Paint.NET. Select the Line / Curve tool from the Tools palette on the left, or press the shortcut key O until the tool becomes active.

Step 2: Choose Your Line Style

Look at the Tool options bar running horizontally across the top of the workspace. Locate the stroke style dropdown menu, which displays a solid line by default. Click this dropdown to view the available line patterns:

  • Dashes: Creates evenly spaced rectangular dashes.
  • Dots: Creates a series of round or square dots depending on your cap settings.
  • Dash Dot: Alternates between dashes and single dots.
  • Dash Dot Dot: Alternates between dashes and double dots.

Click on either Dashes or Dots to apply the style.

Step 3: Adjust Width and Caps

  • Width: In the same top toolbar, adjust the brush width value. Increasing the width scales up both the thickness of the line and the size/spacing of the dashes or dots.
  • Caps: Click the start and end cap dropdowns (located adjacent to the line style selector) to modify how the endpoints appear. Choosing Round caps with the Dots style produces smooth, circular dots, whereas Flat caps produce square dots.

Step 4: Draw and Adjust the Line

Click and drag on your canvas to place the line. Four nubs (control points) will appear along the line:

  • Drag the end nubs to reposition the start and end points.
  • Drag the two middle nubs to bend the line into curves or arcs while preserving the dashed or dotted pattern.

Once you are satisfied with the shape, press Enter or click anywhere outside the active boundary to commit the line to your layer.