Artrage

Many people feel like it is impossible to use a computer to develop art that is both natural in aesthetic and breathtaking in its beauty. Others are aware that you can get such results from a computer art app if you are willing to shell out a hefty sum for the software. However, ArtRage is a happy middle ground between the low-end free apps with no true value and the premium artistic apps designed for professional utility. With the Symmetry feature of this software, you can create works of art that are completely symmetrical. Like other similar art apps, ArtRage creates a simulation of actual artistic media. For instance, the paper you select has its own texture, and each brush does as well. When you add paint to your brush and swipe it across the canvas, the paint will gradually thin as it gets used up. If you paint an area that has already been painted with new colors, those colors will blend and leave behind brush strokes that you can actually see. The user interface for this software is quite unique as well. It is easy to use since all the functions are right at your fingertips, and you can use the software with a stylus when using it on a computer with a touchscreen interface. The bottom corners of the software use radial toolbars so everything is accessible and quickly switchable, and there are panels for other more complex tools. If you want to create works that are more constrained or accurate, you can take advantage of the various rulers and stencils in the software. When you use one of these tools, it will actually appear as a physical tool in the interface on top of your canvas. You can also use layers like in Photoshop to create various effects with blended textures. One thing that this software does quite well is the point of view, which is handled with the Views menu. You can avoid having to zoom in and out to see fine detail and the whole work by incorporating a small snapshot of the full-size image over the zoomed area in which you are working. This lets you see how changes on the small scale affect the whole image. You can customize each View, which act like physical Polaroid images you can move around the canvas and alter in any way. Even with the wide range of tools found in this software, it is still one of the easiest art apps to learn. The low price tag is nice for those on a budget, but it doesn't sacrifice any of the advanced functionality that you would expect to find in much more expensive suites.