LogInThe hyper-realistic painting software's biggest update yet, with major performance boosts and new tools, is launching at the end of Q3.
After over a year of development, Escape Motions has announced an upcoming update to Rebelle, its digital painting software with simulation of real-world color mixing, blending, wet diffusion, and drying. Rebelle 8 is scheduled for release between July and September, with early access available to existing users eager to try out the new features ahead of the official launch.
According to the developers, this version is one of their most ambitious updates to date. A major highlight is the introduction of RealShader, a next-generation feature that brings realistic Rebelle materials to life by using real photographs as environment maps. These maps simulate how light interacts with thick layers of paint, making brushstrokes appear more lifelike and dynamic.
Users will be able to choose from three built-in environment maps within the Visual Settings panel. Environment 1 offers the most reflective lighting, Environment 2 provides a subtler shine, and Legacy mimics the lighting style of Rebelle 7, excluding the NanoPixel feature.
Rebelle 8
Rebelle 8 also introduces ray tracing into a real-time painting environment, allowing oil brushstrokes to cast realistic shadows, reflect light according to their shape and color, and display a convincing sense of three-dimensional volume, all as you paint. SoftShadows off and on:
Rebelle 8
NanoPixel technology will get a significant upgrade, offering sharper, more detailed zoom across the entire canvas. The system now uses larger, high-resolution texture maps, making thick oil paint and impasto strokes appear more defined and lifelike.
Compared to Rebelle 7 Pro's 4x4 upscale export, Rebelle 8 Pro now supports up to 20x20 (2000%) NanoPixel export, allowing for extremely high-resolution output, ideal for large-format prints or detailed close-ups. Export sizes are capped at 32,000x32,000 pixels for most formats, with TIFF being the exception due to its unlimited size support.
Starting in late July, you can join the Early Access to try out the new features firsthand, share feedback, and eventually play a part in shaping the final version. Also, if you purchase Rebelle 7 on or after May 28, 2025, you'll qualify for a free upgrade to Rebelle 8.
Besides technical advancements, Rebelle 8 will also be packed with practical updates that make creating art easier and more enjoyable, like View at Print Size, Paint Selection, Advanced PSD Export, and more. Stay tuned and join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.