ArtRage

Tools and Features

The software includes varying thickness and textures of media and canvas, the ability to mix media, and a "realistic" colour blending option, as well as digital RGB blending.

Other tools include tracing, smearing, blurring, mixing, symmetry, different types of paper for the "canvas" (e.g. crumpled paper, smooth paper, wrinkled tin foil, etc.), as well as special effects, custom brushes and digital editing tools.

Later versions (Studio, Studio Pro, and ArtRage 4) include more standard digital tools, such as Select, Transform, Cloner, Symmetry, Fill, and custom brushes.

Each tool comes with several presets, with additional customisation options available. It is possible to share custom resources between users.

Real colour blending

ArtRage offers a specialised colour blending option as well as standard digital RGB based blending. It is turned off by default as it is memory intensive but can be turned on from the Tools menu. The most noticeable effect is that green is produced when yellow and blue are mixed.

The color picker supports HSL and RGB colors.

Custom resources

Users can create their own versions of various resources and tools, or record scripts, and share them with other users. Users can save their resource collections as a Package File (.arpack), which allows folders of resources to be shared and automatically installed. ArtRage can import some Photoshop filters, but not all. It only supports .ttf (TrueType Fonts) which it reads from the computer's fonts folder.

Package files do not work with versions earlier than 3.5. ArtRage Studio does not support Photoshop filters, or allow sticker creation, and has fewer options overall.

Individual resources can be shared directly, though most resources have specific file types.

Versions

Seven editions of ArtRage currenty exist. Mobile apps include versions for Android, iPhone, and iPad. A version called ArtRage Touch is also available for Metro devices. Desktop editions include Lite and ArtRage 4, a free demo version of the latter also being available.

ArtRage 1, ArtRage 2, ArtRage Studio and ArtRage Studio Pro have been discontinued.

ArtRage was made available on Steam on October 10, 2012, as part of the very first non-gaming software launch on the platform. The Steam version does not include DRM and can be used without Steam running.

Languages

ArtRage 4 is available in several languages, but the manual is only available in English. The other versions have manuals available in assorted languages. Language is chosen when installing the program (except for the ArtRage 2 alternative editions).

Japanese/Chinese are only available as Alternative Editions in ArtRage 2

ArtRage Studio & Studio Pro Wacom China Editions support English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.

ArtRage 2 Japanese Edition supports: Japanese and English interfaces and manuals.

ArtRage 2 Wacom China Edition supports Simplified Chinese interface.

Release history

There is no official release schedule, and new updates are announced as they are ready. New editions typically release on a three to four year upgrade cycle. Major updates may occur halfway through a cycle (referred to as the "X.5" edition) alongside ongoing patches and minor updates. Some updates continue for the previous version, although support is slowly phased out over time. Backdated upgrades to Studio Pro included bug fixes, DRM removal for Steam users, and a fix to work properly on OS X Mavericks. The iPad version was updated to include Retina support.

Free demo versions

These were released alongside their respective editions, as trial software. Demos prior to ArtRage 4 are unavailable. Work can only be exported to JPEG format and contains an ArtRage watermark. Images larger than 1280x1024 cannot be saved or exported.

ArtRage 2.2 Free Edition: limited trial version

Studio Pro Demo Edition: full trial version with some restrictions, expires after 30 days

ArtRage 4 Demo edition: full trial version with some restrictions

ArtRage Touch: one week trial through the Windows App Store

ArtRage Oil Painter Free : limited free app on the Play Store and Amazon App Store

ArtRage for Android: free download on some Samsung devices via the Galaxy Gifts program

Software downloads

ArtRage is only sold individually as an online download. It can be bought directly from the company website, or through Steam, but is not sold on any other websites. The free demo is only available from the main site. The mobile (iPad and iPhone) versions can only be bought via the Apple app store and cannot be registered on the ArtRage site. The Android version is available from the GALAXY Gift store for specific Samsung devices, and will be made available on the Samsung Apps and Google Play stores.

Upgrading from ArtRage Lite or any pre-existing desktop editions gives a permanent 50% discount on ArtRage 4 (the most recent full desktop edition). This upgrade discount is handled separately by the Steam and the ArtRage stores, so users cannot currently switch between stores.

To upgrade, owners must register their serial number in the ArtRage members area (unless it is a Steam or mobile version). This also allows users to download both the macOS and the Windows versions of their software at any time, an unlimited number of times.

Steam and mobile versions are updated through Steam and the App Store.

Hardware bundles

The ArtRage for Android app was released as part of a bundle deal with Samsung. It is free for the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note Edge smartphones, distributed through the GALAXY Gifts store, and is available for purchase from the Galaxy App store for other Samsung devices. It was released for sale on the Google Play Store in February 2015.

Older editions of ArtRage also come as bundled software with various devices.

ArtRage 2 and ArtRage Studio Pro are available bundled with several WACOM graphics tablets, as well as various other devices, such as ASUS EP121 tablets, Sony VAIO Laptops, and Adesso Cybertablets. The serial numbers in these cases are handled by the companies distributing the hardware. ArtRage is usually provided as a software download, although it can come pre-installed or on an accompanying CD.

A version of ArtRage called "Ink Art" was included in Microsoft's Experience Pack for the Tablet PC in 2005 and on some older Wacom tablets. Ink Art contained a subset of features offered in the full ArtRage program. Promethean Planet, an educator community, distributes a free version of ArtRage for classroom use on Promethean's range of interactive whiteboards.

ArtRage is included on the following models from the Sony Duo touchscreen range.

Sony VAIO Tap 20

Sony VAIO Duo 11

Sony VAIO L24

Sony VAIO E14P

Sony VAIO T13

Sony VAIO Duo 13

(see full Tablet details here)

System support

ArtRage 4.5 has full 64-bit support on Windows and Macs. There are also iOS supported versions for iPhone and iPad.

ArtRage for Android supports Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 and later.

∞Mavericks support added in ArtRage Studio/ Studio Pro versions 3.5.10 and 3.5.11

∞∞ Windows XP support was dropped in the 4.5 update. The XP compatible version of ArtRage 4 is still available for existing and future owners of the program through the member area.

∞∞∞ ArtRage 3 Multithreading is not compatible with Windows 10. Disable this in ArtRage Preferences.

∞∞∞∞Linux support is unofficial.

∞∞∞∞∞ The Wine installer for ArtRage 4 does not currently work, but it can be worked around by copying program files from a Windows installation

Stylus support

ArtRage 4 supports various Wacom stylus features, although they may vary depending on the tool being used.

Pressure, Tilt, Airbrush Wheel, and Barrel Rotation

Wacom Stylus Recognition

Live Tilt (4.5 only)

ArtRage for iPad supports four Bluetooth stylus brands, as well as the Apple Pencil, which has full pressure and tilt support.

Wacom

TenOne Pogo Connect

Adonit Jot Touch Pro

Adobe Creative

ArtRage for Android supports the native Android system for pressure sensitivity, including the Samsung S Pen.

The desktop editions of ArtRage fully support the following Windows Graphics tablet and Tablet computer drivers:

AES (ArtRage 4.5.10 onwards)

WinTab

RealTime Stylus

Ink Services (ArtRage 2 only)

Supported file types

ArtRage uses a proprietary file type, ".ptg", which stands for "painting". It can only save as PTG and can only open PSD and PTG files using the File|Open command. However, images can be exported to the following formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF and Adobe Photoshop's .psd format. ArtRage can import all of these file types using the File > Import Image or Import Image as Layer command. Importing PTG files will open the PNG used for thumbnail images instead (this can be used to rescue images from corrupted PTG files).

*Only when exported as an individual layer

Transparency

ArtRage supports transparency on imported files, but not on all exported files (for example, GIF and TIFF). It is often easier to export a transparent image as an individual layer, as the Canvas settings can save as opaque on full saves for some file types and in older editions.

Ambient Design

Ambient Design Ltd. is a New Zealand-based software development and publishing firm, specializing in creative applications and user interfaces for artists. It was founded in 2000 by Andy Bearsley and Matt Fox-Wilson. The founders formerly worked for MetaCreations, the developer of Painter, Bryce and Kai's Power Tools, and have worked for Corel, Adobe, Digital Anarchy and Jasc Software. Before that, they developed Deep Paint 3D for Right Hemisphere Ltd, and hid various Easter Eggs in the code.

Awards

December 2004 Microsoft® Tablet PC Does Your Application Think in Ink? grand prize winner for ArtRage 1

March 2012 "Hot One" Award for Best New Gear from Professional Photographer for ArtRage Studio Pro (edition 3.5)

March 2014 Parents' Choice Gold Award for ArtRage for iPad