What devices and operating systems does ArtRage work with?
ArtRage is compatible with wide range of devices, as well as iOS, Windows and Mac operating systems. This is a rough guide to the required system specifications and operating systems required to run ArtRage successfully, to help you buy the best computer for digital painting, or be sure that ArtRage will work on your existing computer.
Platform: E.g. laptop or tablet
If it’s running some kind of operating system, then that will decide whether you can use it with ArtRage at all. ArtRage should work on most Windows and Mac operating systems (see details below for specific OS software and editions of ArtRage).
Accessories: E.g. graphics tablets, iPad styluses
If it’s just a device you plug in and use with an operating system, then it may not let you use all the features, but it may still be usable for other purposes (e.g. pressure sensitivity may not work, but you can still draw with it).
ArtRage as Bundled Software
ArtRage comes along with the purchase of a number of devices, such as Wacom tablets, Lenovo devices, Adesso Cybertablets and Sony VAIO laptops. We do not have direct control over how ArtRage is packaged, or which the specific devices the retailer bundles ArtRage with, but all the possible devices are fully compatible with ArtRage (barring unusual software configurations, bugs, or out of date drivers). You can learn more about ArtRage as bundled software here.
I know the model. Can I just ask you if it will work with ArtRage?
Unfortunately we can’t give you a guaranteed answer to every possible device, as we may never have had a chance to use it, or the software may have changed at some point.
If you’re looking at a very specific device, your best bet is probably just asking the forums and see if anyone else has used it successfully.
If you get the opportunity to try the device out, we strongly recommend downloading the ArtRage demo and testing that first.
Desktop Editions of ArtRage
The full desktop editions of ArtRage are designed for using on laptops and desktop computers with a graphics tablet.
ArtRage 5 and ArtRage Lite
Both support:
Windows
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Windows 8 (Desktop mode required)
- Windows 10
- Multitouch devices are supported.
- Windows RT is not supported
Mac OS
- Anything running Mac OS 10.7 or later (Intel Mac only).
ArtRage 4
ArtRage 4 should work on any computer or device running:
Windows
- Windows XP is supported by ArtRage 4.0 but not ArtRage 4.5
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Windows 8 (Desktop mode required)
- Windows 10
- Multitouch devices are supported.
- Windows RT is not supported
Mac OS
- Anything running Mac OS 10.6 or later (Intel Mac only).
Minimum System Requirements
Windows:
- 1024 x 768 screen size.
- 512MB RAM
Mac OS:
- 1024 x 768 screen size.
- Intel Mac only
ArtRage 3 (Studio & Studio Pro)
ArtRage 3 should work on any computer or device running:
Windows
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Windows 8 (Desktop mode required)
- Windows 10
- Multitouch devices are supported.
- Windows RT is not supported
Mac OS
- Anything running Mac OS 10.5 or later (Intel Mac only).
Minimum System Requirements
Windows:
- 1024 x 768 screen size.
- 512MB RAM
- 100MB hard drive space
Mac OS:
- 1024 x 768 screen size.
- 1GHz processor
- Intel Macs only
- 100MB hard drive space
ArtRage 2.6
ArtRage 2.6 should work on any computer or device running:
Windows
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Windows 8 (Desktop mode required)
- Windows 10
- Multitouch devices are supported.
- Windows RT is not supported
Mac OS
- Anything running Mac OS 10.3.9 or later.
- Intel and PowerPC Macs
Minimum System Requirements
Windows:
- 1024 x 768 screen size.
- 800MHz processor or faster
- 256MB of RAM
Mac OS:
- 1024 x 768 screen size.
- G4 processor or faster
- 256MB of RAM
Desktop Editions on Linux
We do not officially support ArtRage on Linux, however many users have been quite successful at getting it to run using Wine. The ArtRage community at WineHQ is probably the best guide for details on bugs and workarounds (we do not have anything to do with this site, so can’t guarantee it is up-to-date). There have also been a number of discussions in the ArtRage forums.
We have heard anecdotal reports that ArtRage 4 fails during installation, but users have successfully managed to get it to run by:
- Copying the installed program files from a Windows machine
- Installing from Steam
- Following the steps here: HOWTO: Get ArtRage working under Linux
Need more?
There is additional discussion and advice in the forum threads ArtRage 3 and Linux.
If you need more help, we recommend asking in the forums as we have a number of Linux users there, but we cannot offer any direct support.
Windows Tablet PCs
The desktop editions of ArtRage are fully compatible with the Wacom Cintiq devices and standalone tablet computers, and comes bundled with Microsoft’s Surface Pro and ASUS’ Eee Slate EP121 tablet ranges.
Refer to the desktop editions page for the full list of supported operating systems, but ArtRage is compatible with 32 and 64 bit Windows 7 and Windows 8 tablets.
- ArtRage 3 (Studio Pro & Studio) and ArtRage 4.5 have full RealTime Stylus and multitouch support.
- ArtRage does not feature palm rejection.
- ArtRage on Windows 8 requires desktop mode
- Windows RT is not supported
iOS
Note: The iOS versions can only be purchased through the App Store
ArtRage for iPad
- iPad only
- iOS 6.0 and later
ArtRage for iPhone
- Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
- Works best with the iPhone 5
- iOS 4.3 and later
Android
- Compatible with a range of Android devices
- Required OS Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 +
- Fully optimised for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge
- Compatible with the S Pen
- Minimum resolution: 320 density pixels
Most ArtRage users will need a stylus of some kind in order to use ArtRage properly. You can paint with a mouse, but it isn’t half as fun!
Computer graphics tablets are widely compatible with modern computer systems and ArtRage, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one that works with ArtRage. iPad pressure sensitive styluses are still a bit more complicated, and we only support a few specific models.
Graphics tablets
Graphics tablets are usually widely compatible with most operating systems and programs. The main considerations when purchasing a graphics tablet are features, manufacturing quality, and software support.
Features
ArtRage is compatible with most features in modern tablets, such as tilt, twist, high resolution, multitouch, and tracking multiple styluses. To learn more about the supported stylus features, see the Stylus Controls User Guide.
Quality
We cannot advise on manufacturing quality, as it does not directly affect whether a tablet will work with ArtRage.
We recommend reading reviews and checking the warranty before purchasing your tablet.
Software: Tablet Driver Support
Drivers are the software that “drive” the functions of a tablet, and let your computer understand things like pressure sensitivity. Without working drivers, your tablet may still be usable, but it will not have pressure sensitivity or other advanced features.
Drivers need to be updated over time in response to changing programs and operating systems, so a tablet that should normally work may have issues if the drivers are corrupted or out of date. Almost all graphics tablet issues in ArtRage are caused by the drivers in some way, so decent driver support from the tablet company is extremely important.
Windows Driver Standards
There are two main driver standards for Windows, and ArtRage 2, 3 and 4 are compatible with both. ArtRage 2 is also compatible with the old Windows Ink standard.
- RealTime Stylus: Microsoft’s internal tablet standard which was originally designed for integrated screen input devices but has been expanded for use in a wider range of tablet type devices.
- WinTab: The older non-Microsoft standard that is generally supported by external tablets such as Wacom and Genius.
- Ink Services (ArtRage 2 Only): Ink Services was Microsoft’s original tablet standard, replaced by RealTime Stylus later.
OS X
We use the internal OS X tablet input system for tablet support. All tablets use this system for Mac OS X, so there should never be any compatibility issues. Drivers still need to be kept updated.
We can recommend Wacom tablets for good quality tablets with regularly updated drivers. If you are looking at other brands, we recommend you research the level of support and whether they update their tablet drivers regularly.
Bluetooth Styluses for iOS
There are currently five different pressure sensitive styluses that are supported by the ArtRage for iPad app. These all use Bluetooth to connect to the iPad.
- Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus 2 (Released October 2014)
- Wacom Bamboo fineline
- Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus
- TenOne Pogo Connect Stylus
- The Adonit Jot Touch (original) stylus is also supported by the ArtRage app, but it is not supported by iOS 7. ArtRage does not yet have support for the Adonit Jot Touch 4 stylus.
Non-pressure sensitive styluses, such as the Sensu brush, do not require any setup or a Bluetooth connection. These should all work with ArtRage.
Dictation
ArtRage is compatible with dictation programs like Dragon NaturallySpeaking. It is not specifically designed for dictation, but due to the extensive shortcuts available and the ability to easily customise them, you can dictate keyboard commands as you work.
Note: We do not offer support for this.
Other Devices
We are aware that a number of users may used custom hardware designed to accommodate physical disabilities or personal preferences. Unfortunately, we are unable to test these out ourselves, and cannot guarantee which products will work for you. However, any device that can perform pointing, clicking and dragging should be able to use ArtRage on a basic level, even if it cannot manage pressure sensitivity.