PureRef 2.0 is out
Indie game studio and tools developer Idyllic Pixel has released PureRef 2.0, the latest version of its popular lightweight reference image organisation tool.
The first update to the software in four years, PureRef 2.0 adds the option to draw directly onto images, and to set PureRef to display on top of specific other apps.
A more powerful way to organize reference images for concept art and CG work
Widely used by concept artists and illustrators, PureRef provides a more powerful way to manage reference images than setting up mood boards in apps like Photoshop.
Users can drag and drop images directly into the software, scale, reposition and align them intuitively, and add text notes.
PureRef 2.0: draw directly onto images inside the software
To that, PureRef 2.0 adds the much-requested option to add annotations by drawing directly onto images within the software.
There is also a new rich text editor for formatting text-based notes.
Other new features include the option to group images and move them as a unit, with a new Hierarchy view to visualize groupings.
Can now be set to always display on top of other apps
Workflow improvements include the option to set PureRef to always display on top of specific other applications, and new options to customize the user interface.
The software also now supports animated GIFs, with the option to step through the animation frame by frame.
Performance improvements include a new image caching and streaming system, which should “drastically” reduce memory usage, at the cost of increased load times.
New commercial licenses for business use
Idyllic Pixel has also updated the EULA and licensing for PureRef.
Previously available on a pay-what-you-want basis, the software now has perpetual licenses and subscriptions for businesses.
For non-commercial use, Personal licenses are still pay-what-you-want.
Pricing and system requirements
PureRef 2.0 is compatible with Windows 10+, Ubuntu 20.04 Linux and macOS 10.14+.
A Small Business license costs $49, and supports up to three users; full Business subscriptions cost $10/month or $96/year.
Non-commercial Personal licenses are free, although you can choose to donate to help support development of the software.
Read a full list of new features in PureRef 2.0 in the online changelog
Read more about PureRef on the product website
Try PureRef for free
(Choose the Personal Edition and enter a figure of $0 in the Custom Amount field)
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