Rebelle 8 review: This impressive painting software let me turn my MacBook into a full-blown canvas

Rebelle 8, a painting software, has garnered praise for its ability to let users turn their MacBooks into a full-fledged canvas. Traditionally, apps like Adobe Photoshop allow users to alter photos, but software like Rebelle specializes in emulating the feel of various painting mediums such as watercolor, oil, acrylic, and pastel on a digital canvas.

A significant aspect of Rebelle 8 is its multi-platform availability, accessible to both Windows and Mac users, with a one-time fee of $90 for a complete purchase that covers up to three computers. An advanced version called Rebelle Pro, priced at $150, is also available. A 30-day free trial is offered, requiring only an email address for access, ensuring users can evaluate the software before committing.

The software's interface, though familiar to those who have used other image editing applications, is designed to ease newcomers into the world of digital painting. The interface comprises two sidebars, one for brushes and another for layers, color selections, and navigation. The main canvas occupies the rest of the screen, but it's flexible, allowing tools to be docked into either sidebar or separate windows, with the ability to export this layout for use on other computers.

Rebelle 8 boasts an impressive array of brushes, ranging from acrylic and watercolor to ink and pastel. Customization options are extensive, with sub-categories for each brush type and a dropdown menu to purchase additional brushes. However, users may find the software restrictive, with a limitation to only one project open at a time, and occasional software glitches such as random zooming of the canvas and delay in rendering strokes.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the latest version 8 introduces minor but welcome improvements, such as streamlining the Canvas Panel for easy selection of new paper types and a simplified Canvas Panel. Overall, Rebelle 8 is a solid choice for artists looking to transition their painting skills to the digital realm.