PureRef

What is PureRef?

PureRef is a reference image management tool that allows you to collect, arrange, and view reference images on an infinite canvas. It’s particularly popular among digital artists, 3D modelers, animators, and designers because of its minimal interface and ease of use.

Key Uses of PureRef:

1. Reference Image Organization

• Infinite Canvas: Drag and drop multiple reference images onto a single workspace, where you can organize them without space constraints.
• Sorting and Grouping: Arrange references by category, importance, or project type.
• Zoom and Pan: Easily zoom into specific details or pan across your collection to study your references.

2. Staying Focused While Working

• Always-on-Top Mode: Keep your references visible on top of other applications (e.g., Photoshop, ZBrush, Blender) while working.
• Customizable Transparency: Adjust the opacity of the PureRef window to reduce distractions.

3. Speeding Up the Creative Process

• Quick Access: Quickly copy, paste, or drag images from your browser or file explorer into PureRef.
• Resize and Crop: Resize images directly on the canvas or crop unnecessary parts to focus on key details.
• Hotkeys: Use customizable shortcuts to quickly manipulate images, such as flipping, rotating, or locking them in place.

4. Building Mood Boards

• Visual Inspiration: Compile images, sketches, color palettes, and design elements for mood boards or brainstorming.
• Collaborative Use: Share your reference board with colleagues or clients by saving and exporting it.

5. Training and Study

• Anatomy and Studies: Collect images of anatomy, poses, or landscapes for study and practice.
• Style Analysis: Analyze the style, composition, or color schemes of reference images.

6. Supporting 3D Modeling and Animation

• Blueprints and Orthographic Views: Use character or object blueprints as references while modeling.
• Texture and Material Studies: Arrange textures or material references to guide your texturing process in 3D software.

Why Use PureRef Over Other Tools?

FeaturePureRefAlternatives (Photoshop, Canva, etc.)SimplicityMinimalist and lightweightOften bloated with unnecessary featuresAlways-On-Top ModeNative featureNot always possibleInfinite CanvasNo boundaries, highly customizableLimited space or predefined layoutsPerformanceLow resource usage, even with large imagesCan lag or crash with large filesPricePay-what-you-want model (free if needed)Usually subscription-basedWho Should Use PureRef?

• Digital Artists and 3D Modelers: To gather and organize inspiration or reference images for characters, environments, and textures.
• Designers and Illustrators: To create mood boards and study reference material.
• Animators and Concept Artists: To use pose or action references during animation or storyboard creation.
• Photographers and Videographers: To plan compositions, study lighting, or create storyboards.

How to Use PureRef: Basic Workflow

1. Install: Download PureRef from PureRef.net (pay what you want or free).
2. Drag & Drop Images: Open the software and drag images into the workspace.
3. Organize: Arrange, resize, or crop images on the canvas as needed.
4. Save Your Board: Save your layout as a .pur file or export it as a flat image for sharing.
5. Customize Settings: Use hotkeys or adjust preferences for maximum efficiency.

PureRef is a fantastic addition to any creative workflow, providing a distraction-free way to manage references.