Rebelle 6 is coming tomorrow! In addition to the Liquify and Warp tools, Fractal resize, 'Favorite' brushes, upgraded Brush Creator, new Filters, and other features we talked about in the previous blogs, more quality-of-life features are coming to the new version that will make your creative journey easier. Let's dive into them today.
Layer Masking Tools
More masking options have been added to the Layers panel in Rebelle 6. You will be able to add a 'Layer Mask' or set a layer as a 'Clipping Mask' by right-clicking on the layer in the Layers panel. The masks are a powerful way to control a layer's visibility and are familiar from other paint software.
Layer Masks
To control the transparency level of a layer we use a Layer Mask. Its great advantage is the ability to independently adjust the transparency of different areas of the layer. This is great for example when blending different layers with seamless transitions. A layer mask in Rebelle, like in other software, uses black and white to show and hide different parts of the layer.
The top image shows the original layer, the bottom image shows the layer mask.
Clipping Masks
Clipping Mask uses one layer's content and transparency to control another layer's visibility. To create a clipping mask we need two layers. The layer on the bottom controls the visibility of the layer above it. The bottom layer becomes the mask, and the layer above it is the layer that's clipped with the mask below.
Example of Clipping Mask Layer and its use.
The masking in Rebelle 6 comes with one change - we have removed the visual representation of an 'Influenced layer' (a small dot in the Layers panel). Now the 'Masking Fluid Layer' and 'Tracing Layer' influence all layers, or when they are located within a group, they influence all layers in that group. This makes the user interface cleaner and the overall process of working with masks and masking fluids much more straightforward.
Grid and Guides
New options for laying down fully customizable grids and guides will be featured in Rebelle 6. Grids are a common method in real-world painting and drawing, so this will help artists tremendously. You will be able to show grids and guides and enable snapping to grids directly via the View menu.
Grid
The grid is a great help when aligning objects or laying out elements symmetrically. You can split the grid based on the units of length or evenly in Preferences. For example, you need a grid line for every 10 centimeters of canvas and the grid should have 5 subdivisions. When split evenly, the grid will contain the exact number of horizontal and vertical lines you specify. For example, you need 10 grid lines vertically and 15 grid lines horizontally.
Guides
Guides have a similar purpose to a grid. The difference is that you need to place every guideline yourself. When guides are visible, a new icon at the top left side of the viewport appears giving you a quick option to add new and edit existing guides. A visual representation of a guide is shown when you are outside the canvas:
- When above or below the canvas, you are adding vertical guides.
- When to the canvas's left or right, you are adding horizontal guides.
- When on the canvas, you can draw lines (segments) in any direction. You can lock the angle with the Shift shortcut. This is a very practical way to prepare the composition for your image.
Canvas Bounds
We have also implemented an option to show additional guides at the edges of the canvas, in the middle of the canvas, in the thirds, and in quarters of the canvas. Paint strokes cannot be locked at the bounds, but when you move selections, you can see short lines on the border of the canvas and the selection can be locked to them.
You will be able to view canvas bounds and enable snapping to guides via the View menu:
- View/Snap to Grid - The object will snap to the lines of the currently active grid.
- View/Snap to Guides - The object will snap to the currently active guides.
- View/Snap to Canvas bounds - The object will snap to the bounds (edges), to the center of the canvas, or the quarters or thirds of the canvas.
Examples of grid, guides and canvas bounds in Rebelle 6.
Rebelle 6 will also give you all the possibilities for customization of the grid, guides, and bounds - from adjusting the color, opacity, line width, and other grid and guides' settings in the Preferences.
Reference Image Guides
Lastly, we have also implemented guides for the reference images you open in the Reference Image panel. These additional guides will be visible in the reference image as well as on the canvas. It helps a lot when you want to set the right proportions of the drawing object.
In the upcoming version, you will be able to show and transform semi-transparent reference images directly on the canvas. This is another option how to use reference images - as an overlay on the painting. You can modify the reference image guides' color, opacity, and line width in Preferences. 
Example of reference image guides on the reference image showing on the canvas.
"When it comes to drawing, what students struggle with most is positioning and, of course, proportions. These guides are ideal for help with that. Place a few guides in the appropriate positions and it's pretty much like measuring with a pencil or a brush, or even sight-size drawing and painting. The great thing about this is that because the guides remain visible throughout the entire painting process, they assist with positioning and proportion throughout. A wonderful addition to Rebelle!" ~ Tim Shelbourne
New Wet and Dry Media
Amazing 240+ brushes are coming with Rebelle 6! You can expect some new brush types we already talked about - grunge, scumbling, textured brush presets, improved pencils and new dry and oil pastels.
Examples of new wet tools.
Examples of new dry tools.
Rebelle 6 is Coming This Week
We hope these new features will step up your art game and give you immense possibilities with Rebelle software. Even better, you do not have to wait for Rebelle 6 for too long - it will be released this week! Be prepared, refresh your Inbox and wait for the creative magic to come true.
Rebelle 6 and Rebelle 6 Pro
Rebelle 6 is coming this week in two editions - the standard Rebelle 6 full of great new features and Rebelle 6 Pro that in addition offers the extra experience of Fractal Image Processing. Of course, the Pro edition also includes the already-known Pigments, NanoPixel, Color Management and Photoshop plug-in.
Pricing
The regular price for Rebelle 6 is $89.99 and for Rebelle 6 Pro is $149.99.
All existing owners of Rebelle 5 are eligible for a 50% discount. The upgrade price will be $44.99 for the standard and $74.99 for the Pro edition.
Moreover, all Rebelle 6 users are eligible to upgrade to Rebelle 6 Pro for the price difference at any time.
Users who purchased Rebelle 5 standard (MSRP $89.99) or Pro (MSRP $149.99) from November 1st, 2022 until the release of Rebelle 6 are eligible for a free upgrade to the same edition of Rebelle 6.
Upgrading is optional, you can continue using your actual version for as long as you like.
We are grateful you are with us on this exciting journey and would like to send a BIG THANK YOU for your great support.
Keep it creative!
Your Escape Motions Team
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Cover image by Carles | See portfolio
Blog images: Tim Shelbourne, reference image from Earthsworld.com
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i have enjoyed the last few weeks.. seeing what was coming in the new version has been fun. i use R5 more than any other program and found it very capable. maybe for some it had limitations but doesn't any program.. even photoshop is not perfect!!! ( for me ).. but please don't get me wrong.. i'm not comparing them... there just different to use... i happen to like how rebelle feels... i have been painting digitally for a very long time and you can achieve any effect or style you like with most software with a little experience and playing about. i personally like rebelle as it does what i want it to without to much tweaking and messing about!
all the new features are very welcome... and i will happily upgrade. i think it's all going to be useful... but making great art is not just about what features your software has.. or how good you are at making brushes . it's mostly down to that thing everyone tries to improve.. are own personal skill and creativity!!! happy painting everyone!!!
Thank you Matt!
Can you clarify something? You've wrote
I have a feeling they mean the upgrade for the pro version is $75 (that is with the 50% discount). I'd love it to be $37.50 since I did feel a little frustrated when they were selling it for $10 earlier this year.
Would love to upgrade for $37.50 so would be cool if that is what they meant.
Hello Michal, for Rebelle we are making new upgrades every year. The upgrade price is 50% off the full price. For Rebelle 5 standard edition, the regular price is $89.99 and the upgrade is $44.99. For the Pro edition, the regular price is $149.99 and the upgrade is $74.99. (We changed the wording in the blog a little to make it clearer.)
masks! outstanding.
I don't really understand why anyone would be upset about getting that feature?? some strange people on here
I know this is a praise forum and only people who tell you how amazing you are are welcome. But I don't care, so let's sum up your business model:
- release a new version every year, completely broken for the first months
- price it at 150 USD and gate Hue Sat sliders behind this paywall, pioneering zero shame
- "yOu cAn cOntiNuE uSinG yoUr vErSioN, yOu dOn'T hAve tO uPgRaDe"; sure, but the old version will never see any further updates
- slowly, very slowly fix some of the problems until the program is mostly functional
- sales are probably not booming, featured artists are mostly beginners (you even feature some AI generated "art", lol), so drop all prices to 10 USD! "so everyone can be an artist", continuing the zero shame policy and disrespect to your loyal customers who paid a ton of money for your product
- in the following weeks, continue randomly generating prices between 10 and 80 USD, because why not, and invent a new standalone version
- release R6, tryharding to be Photoshop (spoiler alert: you never will), full price
- we are at full circle now, so rinse and repeat
No, thank you! See you at your 11 Anniversary, when you'll sell it for 11 USD, so everyone can be an artist.
[Not interested in arguing online or justifying my opinion to die-hard fans, this is a concern addresses to the developers and invites no further discussion from third parties. Don't agree? Scroll on, and don't bother]
Hey Cristian, this may be a little odd. I'm not going to comment on your concerns here. just share a little.
I went through some HORRIFIC trauma in the last few years, worse than most people can fathom. It left some very deep scars and one of the things it did was leave me a wound that was triggered by people changing things around me that I had no power to intercept, no power to stop. My voice was muted and even my loudest cries went unheard. (this is not about software)
I know for me, some of my loudest complaints against a 3rd party come after I've just suffered some pain from another direction and don't feel anyone is listening or cares enough to stop it.
Cristian, I don't know who hurt you, but I'm sorry. It should never never NEVER have happened. If you are able to talk about it, you can use my email. [email protected]
Uhh, bro, please drop the victim mentality and the projections. There is no need to concern yourself about my wellbeing, I am doing very well in life (without the need of this software), but that is my irrelevant for the topic at hand. So please do not transform me into the victim that needs help, so you can bury me under your rugs and try to undermine the credibility of my words, I could interpret this as a bit patronizing, if I would care too much.
To spell it out clearer, in case I was not using plain english: I am giving FEEDBACK (feedback does not mean praise, unlike some of the devs of this app consider), plain and simple, feedback I am entitled to because I paid good money for this program and it keeps asking for more. Who hurt me? Blaskovic, for insulting my intelligence. Should be the same for a lot of you, if you stop and think about it for a second. But who am I to tell you what to do? Pay 600$ for R6Pro, as far as I am concerned. Pay 10 million, I don't care. I speak for myself, and myself only, and do not need permission or social approval.
First and last reply, I don't have time for this. But I'll give it to you, you really made me laugh. Nice try! (I am sorry about your life concerns and I hope they do get better soon, but it has absolutely nothing to do with this topic)
I am a genuinely kind man and wrote a genuinely kind and caring response, but your eye sees it as an attack. That is a reason for concern. No one is that aggressively attacking or defending unless they feel threatened SOMEWHERE. I hope you can find peace and can figure out how to talk and communicate respectfully with others, for your own sake and for the sake of all the people you are hurting with your actions.
There is a difference between feedback and what you are doing. I'll respond to another portion of your message where it is written.
... simple fix for all that - don't use it. Dish out for Painter. Or checkout Krita.
It isn't trying to be photoshop. It's trying to be a natural media painting tool more in line with traditional drawing and painting. Something that it excels at.
I bought pro at full price last year and am quite happy with development. It has frequent updates, major issues fixed quite quickly, and the developer has been quick to respond on the forum. They even took my feedback and addressed a couple of issues I had with the mixing palette and transparency a future update.
Photoshop is an amazing tool I use every day for photo editing and texturing my 3D assets for work.... But I still prefer Rebelle for painting.
I was a bit annoyed that they gave away the app for $10 when I paid full price. The cheap price earlier in the year kind of made me have reservations on upgrading to 6, I only have so much disposable income. But there are some really nice new features that as someone who enjoys traditional painting, would really enojoy.
I was annoyed at that price drop as well. I hope that that it isn't going to repeat for R6 as it isn't fair to those who paid full price.
Hi Nicky, I understand your feelings. We just wanted to people which can't afford it, give the opportunity to get the software and to spread the word. Any discount actually isn't fair, and also it isn't fair that some people make less money or are less fortunate. It is not fair that some people can buy the software and some not. We give 20 licenses to schools for free now, to American and to Indian as well. Is it fair? If you would like to save some money, we usually have summer sales, discounts at Halloween or Winter holidays. But if you buy the discounted products don't you support unfairness ?:D We are searching for fairness, but we already know that we will not satisfy everyone... and that's fine.
wow.
This one really made me laugh, so unbelievably unprofessional and disrespectful to your loyal customers.
How can you assume that people who paid 80-150 USD for your app simply did that because they "afford it"? And what "discount" are you talking about? You sold the app for 10 USD, ffs, the same one you used to ask 80 to 150 USD for. And now you ask the same for a new app. Who in their right mind should take you seriously?
You hide under the umbrella term of "not satisfying everyone" because that is the Captain Obvious thing to say, but this is not about satisfying everyone, it is about being fair to the people who have supported your product.
Please spare us of the world savior and exceeded kindness images, you wanted the poor people to have access to art. How do you define poverty in the artistic realm, especially in digital, where your app used to run poorly on monster PCs those "poor" people need to have? If you care so much about poverty, why do you sell your app for 150 USD?
Seriously, I respect your achievements, and I did get to enjoy R5Pro 6 months after I have paid for it, but you may consider having someone with marketing experience talk to your customers. The justifications you present are dust in the wind.
Free advice: you want to "spread the word"? Spend the money needed and hire professionals. Mullins, if you can afford him, since he already uses your app, and other top artists.That's how you spread the word. But spreading the word about a 150 USD software when you have plenty of other 10 USD or free apps around may not be enough.
Last reply here, it's your business, do whatever you want.
As someone who lives in a country where $200 to $300 usd is the average monthly wage, I do appreciate discounts like these. I'm actually sad I missed the $10 dollar discount since I've been slowly saving up to get Rebelle Pro. I'm still on Rebelle 3.
Maybe consider not everyone lives in First World Nations. I'm grateful escape motions give us "poor" people a chance to buy Rebelle at a more reasonable price relative to our cost of living.
It is normal that you buy what you can afford. You made so many statements, from my perspective many of them I would say are not correct, but I think it would be easier to explain them over a cup of tea. I see that you expect that you know why people do what they do and that you know what they should do. But in reality, we people don't know.. you even don't know why do you do some things. Why do you write almost in every comment that it is your last comment?
"Why do you write almost in every comment that it is your last comment?" - because unbelievable levels of audacity summon me back, particularly yours. You are very sharp to pick up on this tiny detail, and it's very unfortunate this is the only point you picked up on.
While this is no space to talk about philosophy and neuroscience, I am no stranger to these subjects, and I have stated none of what you imply. I don't care what "people do" in this context. I care about what YOU do, in the seller to customer relationship that we have established the moment I bought from you a piece of product that I could use somewhat at the specs you stated only after 6 months when you have patched it. So I have asked YOU, not "people", in quite plain english, since you seem to have realized a couple of months ago that people are actually poor and you want to help them, why do you sell your update for 150 USD? How do you know I am not poor? How do you know that people who have bought your program full price did not save money for months? Why do "poor" people take precedence over loyal customers, does that seem like a healthy business plan to you? Is it that hard to you to say you just want to make money, do you consider making money vulgar? I don't see anything wrong with it, so what's with all the pretending? Dodging questions is all good, but you haven't found your guy. If that is your way to get and keep customers, making childish jokes and playing philosophical games, you go on. Do you. You know, I used to regret seeing your software on CGPeers and other sites, and I believed your efforts deserved full support, that's why I bought it. Seeing your attitude now, I am starting to reconsider.
Why do you insist on questioning his pricing structure? Peter has a business to run to keep escape motions running. You make it sound like the discounts run all year round. I actually have to wait for holidays and special occasions to take advantage of discounts, which is once or twice a year at least. Does that sound like Peter is giving certain demographics precedence? I believe it's very charitable of him to offer his software at an obvious loss, just so he can convert new customers. It's part of his marketing strategy. Every other software vendor does it, why are you singling escape motions out?
I'm sure most of us have paid full price for something only to find it discounted one day. Nothing wrong with feeling salty about it, it's only natural, but end of the day, it shouldn't really affect us. You bought it because you believed it was worth the asking price. Just be content someone, somewhere out there got a chance to own a _legit_ copy of Rebelle.
Cristian, there is something called "charity" - it's about giving to people who can't otherwise afford or acquire things. Your logic is wrong. I am giving you FEEDBACK, because you need it. Peter has the right to be kind to whoever he chooses. Your being angry at him because of how he chooses to be kind or how he chooses to do what he wants with what he owns is his right. Fair is dependent on circumstance, give a giant and a child the same size dinner and it is not "fair", one has greater need. Peter is 100% able and entitled to do what he wants with what is his, and he has chosen to be generous and charitable. If you see that as evil or unfair that is unfortunate. It's not unfairness that we feel in times when other people are given a gift that we ourselves didn't receive. That is called jealousy. I understand jealousy, feel it, don't like it, but I try not to confuse it for something else.
There is also a WILD difference between a subscription model and what they are doing, and if they chose to do a subscription model that would be okay as well. There are reasons to do each. A subscription model, you can't use the program anymore. Here you can use Rebelle 5 pro with no restrictions. That is EXACTLY the opposite of a subscription model. Rebelle 5 is very very very usable and enjoyable and powerful software. Not perfect but well worth either $150 or $10.
Listen, self-described genuinely kind man, with a very high opinion of yourself and beliefs you are entitled to red carpet replies when you barge in with victim ass bs: no one has asked for your genuinely kind and caring response and you are so far off the subject, it's not worth a second of my time replying to you, but here I am. Charity is giving away stuff, not selling stuff, fyi, you are interpreting words to fit your agenda and mistake marketing for kindness. And no, I do not need your feedback or your opinions, nor does the dev dude need your pathethic attempt of defending him, he's a grown ass man, he can defend himself if he belives he is attacked and he so chooses. Who mentioned subscription models and why are you saying that to me?
You deserve a trophy for this one, ahahahaa "Rebelle 5 is very very very usable and enjoyable and powerful software. Not perfect but well worth either $150 or $10". I would have chosen 10 USD, had I been given the chance, but the CHARITY was not open on the day of my purchase. Now please be charitable and kind enough to spare me of further replies, I have zero interest in your opinions, my message is for the dev alone, I owe nothing to you and you owe nothing to me, so carry on.
My agenda was to be helpful and to listen if you need to talk to someone. I'll also stop arguing, as it's likely not going to go anywhere. I do think the truth and good thinking is something worth debate, so it doesn't matter to me if you are talking to me specifically or not. We are ALL allowed to reply and comment here.
Question for you. What do you think they should do? I know you mentioned hiring someone specific to do marketing, and then using artists to help get the word out. These are good ideas. It sounds like you are against doing sales. No sales at all? Buy once and never pay for it again??
I actually thought the temporary price drop was really cool for people. I already had the full rebelle 5 pro, and was extremely happy with the upgrade price that I paid. But I was excited for more people to get into the program with the discount. More customers = more support = more likely this program continues pushing out great updates. Plus, I like to see people have access to great software like this. I don't get the idea of being upset, but I suppose I feel I really got value out of what I purchased. No regrets here.
Reading all these comments about the price of the product and what's fair is a bit insane to me. Escape Motions is a company that is trying to make money at the end of the day. They have overhead costs, they have employees to pay, they have marketing budgets, etc. They are providing a service/product, and it's up to us, the customers, to choose whether we can handle the purchase or not. And they typically follow the same strategy every year: release the newest version at full price initially, then have periodic sales throughout its lifespan. If you paid full price, that means you saw value and wanted it right then...otherwise, you can always wait for the price to drop. If you buy a designer shirt from a department store at full price, do you then go back to the store to complain that it isn't fair for the shirt to be on sale 4 months later? Eventual sales are a thing in all aspects of commerce. Besides, if you're a loyal customer, they are already offering the upgrade at 50% the actual price...I don't understand the gripes here.
You seem fun.
While I can understand your gripes, I, for one, like the continued attention to the software sans subscription model.
Kinda strange to take this subject on their own home turf, under their watchful gazes, but ok. Just out of curiosity alone: suppose they could afford to go this route, how much would you be willing to pay / year to keep your subscription, and what do you believe is very likely to happen to the user base if the software launches would be as they were until now, almost disasters, with the app not working well for months? Do you believe it's out of the kindness of their hearts that they do not go on a subscription model? Personally, I don't believe that, it's one of the highest cost apps out there. I am ok with paying for what is worth paying for, but they need to check a few boxes in the testing stage, one year later there are still problems with the app and you release a new version at full price, that is not ok. And besides that, maybe introduce some new features for free. You know, give and take. I own plenty of iPad apps I paid a couple of bucks for that are continuously updated and they don't ask me for a single cent extra. So when you do ask for 80 USD extra, in my opinion, you need to have a very good reason, since you have given absolutely nothing in the meantime.
I guess I haven't had as bad of an experience as you with the software, but I understand what it feels like to be scorned by a company that I once thought had better practices. My scorn for Adobe will always be greater than smaller companies like Escape Motions whom I enjoy seeing what they will come up with next.
Hi Cristian, your comment from blog, Rebelle 5 release from the last year:
"While all these sound good, it's especially concerning that you haven't released an update since forever, that there are plenty of issues to solve, and that you barely released Rebelle 4 about one year ago. Is releasing full (or half) price versions every year the next norm instead of actually updating the app? Why does the Pro version sounds like a subscription model?
I appreciate Rebelle and the design behind it, but I'll wait to see things in action (honestly, I doubt that it's of very much use, unless you really want to be a purist, bringing the limitations of traditional paint into digital, for instance, guess I'll wait and see). But the business model you are pursuing doesn't seem so amazing."
I believe you got your answers already last year (?)
Yes, Peter, I did get my answers long ago, that's why I was not asking a question, but making a statement.
You are asking for 75 USD to upgrade to what could have easily been free updates, since most of your updates are not really QoL content or further development, but fixing your broken app that you haven't thoroughly tested, 6 months later. Btw, you have mailed us about tests one month ago or so, if not less. How much did you test this app? But you'll fix it on the go, won't you, because some people will buy anyway and they won't even notice.
Sadly I agree with you.
I love the program as far as its painting features go, but it's not acceptable to sell a new version at full price after a year when so many issues are still there.
Especially the UI.
I'm extremely excited to see these updates for layer clipping and layer masks! The guides on the reference images is also very intriguing.
I'm not as concerned about the warping tools, but it does look very well done. I'm sure people who use those tools will enjoy it.
This is another very awesome update. Instant upgrade for me!
I'm extremely glad you have not gone subscription.
One question though, are you guys working on a version for iOS?
I look forward to upgrading as well.
We are working on it, but we don't make any announcements because we really don't know when it will be available. Hopefully next year?
Last big thing on my wishlist with this program are really good color adjustment effects, both as generic hue/brightness/contrast sliders, but also a levels adjustment where we can see and adjust the curve. Clip studio paint has this as effects, but also as a special layer that will affect everything below it. This is the last major thing that I feel I must open clip studio for. Everything else I can do directly in Rebelle.
Oh, and view at print size. Gotta have that for a real media digital paint program ;).
Should the hue/brightness/contrast filters work differently? We have the plan to add Level/Curve Adjustements and Print size. And effect layers as well. :)
I think the hue/brightness/contrast filters work fine, though if they also were a layer effect (as described in my other comment), they'd be even better. Sounds like you're already working on that, which is awesome!
Indeed some great things coming to Rebelle 6! Great we'll now have clipping masks and love the sound of the new brushes and the reference image support! Looking forward to exploring all these new additions.
Thank you Nicky, I believe you will like them :)