Digital Art Community Forum for Artists & Creators

Username: davidkmanuel
Post Date: 2025-02-18 21:37:00

I’m at a point where I am looking to purchase new hardware to run Rebelle, and I want it to be portable. I am looking for opinions on Windows hardware with stylus that has great specs for this use. My thanks in advance for any who can advise me.

Username: Carlos Caicedo
Post Date: 2025-02-21 11:21:40

Hi David. I'll go over what I use, however please note that the PCs are transitioning from Intel processors to ARM processors. Please get additional opinions as I have no idea how well the ARM based (Snap dragon) PCs will perform with Rebelle. This is what I have on the PC side The most portable PC that I have is the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. There are newer models of this computer. It has a quad core i7, 16GB, 1TB SSD with integrated intel graphics. Performance is somewhat slower but acceptable with some brushes but it is very portable and I do take it out. Battery life is better on newer models.- keyboard detaches, the screen can lay flat, it has a beautiful OLED 3:2 aspect ratio display. The microsoft pens, if you get the correct one support pressure and tilt works very well. Despite being somewhat slow in performance I personally like this computer and is very portable. Much better performance but a heavy laptop with foldable screen is the Microsoft Surface Studio Laptop with the Slim pen 2. Nice performance as far as drawing but quite heave and it gets very hot and blows hot air on your hands. It works well with Rebelle. Macintosh - I have an AirBook M2 (M3 now and M4 should be out shortly) with a Wacom (non-screen) tablet and pen. This is much lighter than the Surface Studio Laptop even with the Wacom tablet. Has great battery life, has best performance for Rebelle and it does not get hot. By far much more responsive than the other two computers. Things to note: Drawing on a screen is NOT comfortable if it can't be tilted flat or at an angle. Make sure that the computer has a touch screen with pressure and tilt support or you have to use a separate drawing tablet as with the Mac since Macs do not have touch screens. The pen MUST support pressure and tilt to get the most out of Rebelle. You need adequate RAM >16Gig and plenty of Storage >1Terabyte . most entry configurations have 250GB and that is not enough. iPad is by far the most portable and light, runs for hours and the correct iPAD PEN is great. Rebelle does not currently run on the iPad. Would be great if it did. However the VAST (IMO) majority of iPad software is useless junk. Procreate is what I consider the only good software for drawing with the iPad but it is not close to Rebelle. The Affinity applications seem OK but I have not gotten used to them. Photoshop on the iPad is lacking. Illustrator is actually useful. This was long but I hope you and others find this helpful.

Username: davidkmanuel
Post Date: 2025-02-21 20:46:18

[QUOTE="Carlos Caicedo, post: 23391, member: 88071"] Hi David. I'll go over what I use, however please note that the PCs are transitioning from Intel processors to ARM processors. Please get additional opinions as I have no idea how well the ARM based (Snap dragon) PCs will perform with Rebelle. This is what I have on the PC side The most portable PC that I have is the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. There are newer models of this computer. It has a quad core i7, 16GB, 1TB SSD with integrated intel graphics. Performance is somewhat slower but acceptable with some brushes but it is very portable and I do take it out. Battery life is better on newer models.- keyboard detaches, the screen can lay flat, it has a beautiful OLED 3:2 aspect ratio display. The microsoft pens, if you get the correct one support pressure and tilt works very well. Despite being somewhat slow in performance I personally like this computer and is very portable. Much better performance but a heavy laptop with foldable screen is the Microsoft Surface Studio Laptop with the Slim pen 2. Nice performance as far as drawing but quite heave and it gets very hot and blows hot air on your hands. It works well with Rebelle. Macintosh - I have an AirBook M2 (M3 now and M4 should be out shortly) with a Wacom (non-screen) tablet and pen. This is much lighter than the Surface Studio Laptop even with the Wacom tablet. Has great battery life, has best performance for Rebelle and it does not get hot. By far much more responsive than the other two computers. Things to note: Drawing on a screen is NOT comfortable if it can't be tilted flat or at an angle. Make sure that the computer has a touch screen with pressure and tilt support or you have to use a separate drawing tablet as with the Mac since Macs do not have touch screens. The pen MUST support pressure and tilt to get the most out of Rebelle. You need adequate RAM >16Gig and plenty of Storage >1Terabyte . most entry configurations have 250GB and that is not enough. iPad is by far the most portable and light, runs for hours and the correct iPAD PEN is great. Rebelle does not currently run on the iPad. Would be great if it did. However the VAST (IMO) majority of iPad software is useless junk. Procreate is what I consider the only good software for drawing with the iPad but it is not close to Rebelle. The Affinity applications seem OK but I have not gotten used to them. Photoshop on the iPad is lacking. Illustrator is actually useful. This was long but I hope you and others find this helpful. [/QUOTE] Carlos, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. You've given me options to consider and shown me some possible paths to take. I appreciate you.

Username: raytan73
Post Date: 2025-02-21 21:57:23

One thing I would add that may be important is screen brightness. I have a Dell 2 in 1 laptop as my portable workstation. While it works very well, if I am in a brightly lit lobby or waiting room the screen is often not bright enough and it is almost unusable, and using it outside in the sunlight it not even an option. My Dell(5289) has a screen brightness of 280nits which common for a laptop but is on the lower end. Getting any device that has a screen for drawing and bright enough to draw in sunlight will severely limit your choices for a device. For it to be at least usable outside I would look for a screen brightness of around 500 nits or more. It's also not always a spec that is listed and you may have to dig around to find it. A lot of devices also have glossy screens which not only reflect everything around you but are not fun to draw on because they are too slick. I usually try to choose devices that either have a matte screen or have an option to put a matte screen protector on it.

Username: Beth
Post Date: 2025-02-22 21:41:07

Thanks Carlos and Ray for your post. I have been watching this thread with the hopes of an opinion, I researched the Surface Pro which has the requirements to run Rebelle. I have been playing around with the settings in the surface and in Rebelle for the brush set up, I completely understand that the brush settings are personal settings choices, but I am wondering if either of you have some insight on the brush settings that you can share ?

Username: davidkmanuel
Post Date: 2025-02-27 21:22:37

[QUOTE="raytan73, post: 23397, member: 82057"] One thing I would add that may be important is screen brightness. I have a Dell 2 in 1 laptop as my portable workstation. While it works very well, if I am in a brightly lit lobby or waiting room the screen is often not bright enough and it is almost unusable, and using it outside in the sunlight it not even an option. My Dell(5289) has a screen brightness of 280nits which common for a laptop but is on the lower end. Getting any device that has a screen for drawing and bright enough to draw in sunlight will severely limit your choices for a device. For it to be at least usable outside I would look for a screen brightness of around 500 nits or more. It's also not always a spec that is listed and you may have to dig around to find it. A lot of devices also have glossy screens which not only reflect everything around you but are not fun to draw on because they are too slick. I usually try to choose devices that either have a matte screen or have an option to put a matte screen protector on it. [/QUOTE] Thank you for the insights. I had not thought about the screen brightness factor. I am familiar with screen protectors such as "Paper Like" which I use on my iPad. Given the form factor and how well the Apple Pencil performs, I would just use that if Rebelle were available for iPad. That said, I think the escape motions team is wise to focus on the desktop software. Cross development into ios and android could potentially derail a small team. I've seen it before. Thanks again.

Username: Carlos Caicedo
Post Date: 2025-02-28 16:01:44

[QUOTE="Beth, post: 23403, member: 172943"] Thanks Carlos and Ray for your post. I have been watching this thread with the hopes of an opinion, I researched the Surface Pro which has the requirements to run Rebelle. I have been playing around with the settings in the surface and in Rebelle for the brush set up, I completely understand that the brush settings are personal settings choices, but I am wondering if either of you have some insight on the brush settings that you can share ? [/QUOTE] Hi Beth, There are brush settings that are quite important. [COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)][B]This is specific to the surface.[/B][/COLOR] First on the surface (I have a Surface Pro 7): Run the [B][COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)][SIZE=5]Surface Application[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B][SIZE=5] (Should be Installed or find it in the Microsoft store) [/SIZE]and make sure that the pen pressure is set so that you see the brush size change with increasing pressure. The middle or default position is a good starting point. If this is not set correctly, then the pressure response will not be good in Rebelle. Close the Surface Application. [B][SIZE=4]Next in Rebelle - Tablet options [/SIZE][/B] Per Escape motions set to Windows Pointer Device for the Surface Computers. You could try Windows Ink, but If I recall this does not give pressure response. [B]I don't remember why I have pen rotation inverted.[/B] The pen that I have does not support rotation. Only pressure and tilt. Pen pressure smoothing as desired Pen pressure sensitivity as desires but also start in the middle. This does not appear to be the same as the one as in the Surface Application. Next start with a brush that you like and make a copy, from the Brush Creator panel adjust settings and if desired change the Shape and Grain. I place my brushes in the Favorites Tab and make folders as needed. This makes it easier to back up your brushes. You may need to restart Rebelle after some of these changes. I hope this helps. Carlos [SIZE=6][B][COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Surface Pen Settings[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] [ATTACH type="full" width="727px"]265[/ATTACH] [SIZE=5][B]Rebelle Tablet Settings[/B][/SIZE] [ATTACH type="full" width="931px"]266[/ATTACH]

Username: Carlos Caicedo
Post Date: 2025-03-01 11:53:06

This earlier post mentions the Windows Pointer device setting. (it is for the Surface Studio which I also use) [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.escapemotions.com/community/forum/t/42546/cant-resize-easily-surface-laptop-studio/[/URL]

Username: Beth
Post Date: 2025-03-06 00:48:22

Wonderful Carlos Thank you !!!!!!!!