When we introduced Rebelle 8, we also changed the way we deliver new features. Instead of waiting for major annual release features, we wanted to bring them to you when they are ready. Every Rebelle 8 license therefore includes '1-Year Update Access', giving you access to new features, improvements, and new Rebelle releases delivered during your update period. And we have certainly kept busy.
Since the launch of Rebelle 8, we've already released Rebelle 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3, bringing new painting tools, workflow improvements, brush enhancements, selection features, export options, and much more. Now, as the first Rebelle 8 users approach the end of their included update period, you can extend your Update Access for another year and keep receiving new features we have planned next.
Look at How Rebelle Has Grown
When we introduced '1-Year Update Access', one of our main goals was simple: new features shouldn't have to sit on a shelf waiting for the next major version. Instead, we can develop, test, and release them throughout the year. Here's a look at some of what we've delivered so far.
Rebelle 8 - 8.1
The full Rebelle 8.1 release introduced more than 40 new features and improvements, including some of the biggest technological advances we've ever brought to Rebelle.
Bristle Brushes introduced a new particle-based brush system that simulates individual bristles for richer and more expressive strokes. RealShader and SoftShadows pushed the appearance of thick paint further, introducing realistic lighting, reflections, shadows, and a stronger sense of physical depth. NanoPixel 2 expanded high-resolution export up to 20 × 20 times the original dimensions, while Smooth Scaling helped strokes remain smooth and detailed at different zoom levels.
Rebelle 8.1 also introduced Advanced PSD Import & Export, the Symmetry tool, larger brushes up to 3,000 px, Recent Brushes, Instant Paper Preview, Layer Settings, Color Harmonies, the RYB Color Wheel, Paint Selection, View at Print Size, WebSocket Control Input, and many more creative and workflow improvements.
Rebelle 8.2
By the end of 2025, Rebelle 8.2 brought another collection of new features and improvements.
Gradient Maps arrived as both direct filters and non-destructive Filter Layers, opening new possibilities for color grading and transforming the atmosphere of an artwork. Selections gained Expand & Contract, while layer masks received new View Layer Mask and Overlay Layer Mask modes for easier editing.
We also added the highly requested Merge Visible to New Layer, improved the Symmetry tool, enhanced Deform and Perspective transformations, and redesigned the Visual Settings panel. Bristle Brushes continued evolving too, gaining Dirty Brush and Stroke Length controls, along with improvements to watercolor bristle brushes and two new watercolor brush presets. Even rulers got some love, with real-time measurements for lines and ellipses.
Overview of some of the new features introduced in Rebelle 8.2: Improved Symmetry | Expand & Contract | Stroke Length for Bristle brushes | Dirty Brush for Bristle brushes | Ruler Measurements
Rebelle 8.3
With Rebelle 8.3, we continued building on the tools introduced throughout Rebelle 8.
Texture Brushes gained new Color Jitter options, allowing colors to vary per bristle, stamp, or stroke and giving brushwork more natural variation. Selections received another major upgrade with Quick Fill, interactive Expand/Contract and Feather controls, and the new Rough Feather option for creating more organic, textured selection edges.
We also introduced smoother gradients, Scatter Count and Random Flip for Texture Brushes, multi-selection and smarter drag-and-drop for creative assets, and greater control over Rebelle's interface. For artists moving between Rebelle and 3D workflows, Rebelle 8.3 Pro introduced Heightmap Export, allowing impasto depth information to be exported as a 16-bit EXR file for use as displacement data in external applications.
Smaller additions such as customizable status icons, the Visual Settings view toggle, Lock Corner for Stencils, Structures, and Paths, and custom JPEG background colors continued refining the everyday Rebelle workflow.
Overview of some of the new features introduced in Rebelle 8.3: Quick Fill with Rough Feather | Scatter Count | Color Jitter for Texture brushes | Random Flip | Heightmap Export | Smoother Gradients
'This strikes me as one of the most genuinely useful and user-focused "minor" updates I've ever seen in a creative application. This is what it looks like when a software company respects its users!' ~ Brian Prince, a long-term Rebelle user
And We're Not Done Yet!
Rebelle 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 show exactly why we introduced the new update model. Instead of waiting for a once-a-year major upgrade, Rebelle can keep evolving throughout the year. Some updates may introduce entirely new creative tools. Others may improve brushes, selections, performance, compatibility, or the little workflow details you interact with every day.
With another year of Update Access, you'll continue receiving the new Rebelle features, improvements, and releases we deliver during your next 12 months of access. And yes, we already have more cooking in our development kitchen. Our near-future roadmap includes:
➡️ Smarter filling with gap closing
➡️ Blending modes and Opacity settings for Layer Groups
➡️ Support for .ABR brushes
➡️ Linux support
➡️ ...and much more!
Extend Your Update Access for Another Year
If your included 1-Year Update Access is approaching its end, you can purchase another year and continue receiving new Rebelle features and releases.
IMPORTANT: When you extend before your current Update Access expires, the additional year is added to your existing expiration date, so you don't lose any remaining time.
Log in to your Community account and visit our shop to see your renewal options.
If you haven’t upgraded to Rebelle 8 yet, now is a great time to do so! Your Rebelle 8 purchase automatically includes 1 year of free updates. If you own Rebelle 7, you’re also eligible for a 50% upgrade discount. Simply head to your Community account to upgrade and start enjoying everything Rebelle 8 has to offer.
Your Rebelle License Is Still Yours
One important thing hasn't changed: Rebelle is not a subscription.
Your Rebelle license is perpetual. If you decide not to extend your Update Access, Rebelle doesn't stop working, and you don't lose access to your software. You can continue using the latest Rebelle version available to you under your license. There are no automatic renewals, and extending your Update Access is entirely optional.
You can also purchase another year of Update Access later if you decide you want access to newer Rebelle features and releases.
Renew Your Update Access Today
If you'd like to keep discovering new tools, improvements, and creative possibilities as we release them, extend your Rebelle Update Access for another year and keep Rebelle evolving with you. Most importantly, thank you for being part of the Rebelle community and for your continued support. It’s your support that allows us to keep developing Rebelle, exploring new ideas, and bringing new creative tools to life. We’re excited to keep building what comes next together.
Log in to your Community account and visit our shop to see your renewal options.
Still have questions? Head over to our forum and read the FAQs:
https://www.escapemotions.com/community/forum/c/250/1-year-free-update-access/
...or just drop us an email at [email protected].
Happy Painting!
Escape Motions Team
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Cover image by Rebelle Featured Artist Felix Bohl
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1.) On my account page, it says my 1-Year Update Access is valid until November 30, 2026. According to your new Update License, does that mean I can extend my Pro License for $74.99 until December 30, 2026? And if I have to wait a bit longer due to financial reasons, the next tier would be $89.99, meaning I could only get that price until February 28, 2027 (in my case), if I'm correct?
2.) You mentioned that you are going to offer Linux support in the near future. I'm very happy to hear this! Does this mean we can expect Linux support when Rebelle 9 Pro is released next year?
PS: Regarding your new update process—as most people are saying, we understand that developing Rebelle costs time and money. However, I have to agree with the general consensus here: this feels rushed and puts too much pressure on customers to buy the extended update license way earlier than needed. Guys, Black Friday and Christmas are around the corner, and artists and their families save money for things more important than buying art software—especially since many have been saving for months just to cover year-end expenses. Furthermore, it is increasingly harder for artists to justify paying for updates right now in an industry where they are constantly struggling and competing against AI slop. I don't say this to devalue your product or what you offer (it is great, IMO), but this is a bad PR move. I would have waited to introduce this new licensing structure around spring 2027, when people start having disposable income again. It is also generally wiser to schedule updates around spring anyway, ensuring you avoid putting unnecessary financial pressure on your user base during the Black Friday and Christmas seasons in the future.
2. We are in the beta stage with the Linux version, so we expect to release it in Q4 this year or Q1 2027. It will be included in your Update Access, together with Rebelle 9.
PS: We published the first information about Update Access in June 2025: https://www.escapemotions.com/blog/introducing-1-year-free-updates, but we understand that for many users, this is new information.
Also, I suggest making the Renewal cost the same for Base and Pro: it's not like you can downgrade so if you purchased Pro you are bound to pay more per year or miss even basic updates Base users get. The cost of the upgrade has already been paid.
For example, I want to participate in the Fall DTIYS Challenge, or future challenges...
I understand that development costs money and you guys have every right to charge for extended updates but this setup feels more than a little scammy. By the time I'm able to afford to resubscribe I might as well just wait for version 9.
Update Access is based on time, not version numbers. During your individual 12-month Update Access period, you receive all updates, new features, improvements, and new Rebelle versions. This means that if a new major Rebelle version (e.g., Rebelle 9) is released while your Update Access is active, it is included.
Please see our FAQs for more information:
https://www.escapemotions.com/community/forum/c/250/1-year-free-update-access/