PureRef is a cross-platform reference image viewer

PureRef is a cross-platform reference image viewer. It's a freeware program. When you run it, you'll be greeted by a blank screen. It prompts you to drag and drop images onto the PureRef interface.

1. What is PureRef?
2. How do I open a PureRef file?
3. What is a reference image?
4. How do you get PureRef to stay on top?
5. How do you type in PureRef?
6. Is pure ref free?
7. How do you save PureRef?
8. Is drawing from reference cheating?
9. Is it bad to draw from reference?
10. Do artists use reference photos?

What is PureRef?

PureRef is a stand-alone program for Windows, Mac and Linux that keeps track of your images.

How do I open a PureRef file?

Open the terminal and type in: open -n -a "PureRef". Can different PureRef windows have different settings? Yes, in Windows. You can provide PureRef with a path to the settings file on the command line: PureRef.exe -s C:\path\to\settings.

What is a reference image?

A reference image is a visual which an artist looks to for information and inspiration. The image in question can be a photograph, an actual object or scene within your field of vision, or even another drawing.

How do you get PureRef to stay on top?

For sure, you can find the option in the right click menu under Mode->Always On Top or with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+A. Check out the keybinder in the settings dialog for more shortcuts and the option to change them to whatever you woul like.

How do you type in PureRef?

Have you tried the Note functionality? Ctrl+N will give you a note in which you can type and color the text and its background. The created note will also hang on to any image you had selected when creating it.

Is pure ref free?

PureRef is available through a pay-what-you-want model as we believe that everyone who can will contribute what they feel PureRef is worth. If you want to try PureRef before you decide whether you want to support us or not you can enter 0 in the custom amount box on the download page.

How do you save PureRef?

You can export the selected images from the right click menu under Save -> Export -> Selected images.

Is drawing from reference cheating?

So is drawing from reference cheating? No, it is not! When you are using reference the right way and if you are not just copying, what you are seeing or tracing from your reference, then using reference Images will actually help you improve your drawings drastically.

Is it bad to draw from reference?

Using references is absolutely critical if you want to draw/paint realistically. To effectively use it, don't just copy it. ... A lot of artists will just draw from a lot of references when they first don't know something. At that point, they are building their visual library since they understand the reference easier.

Do artists use reference photos?

Sorry to burst your bubble people, but artists use references to create artwork. All types of references! And there's nothing wrong with that. ... As most of you artists already know, this is quite a touchy and even controversial topic that a lot of people prefer not getting into.