PureRef 2.0 Released: Essential Updates and New Features for Artists

PureRef, an essential tool for artists needing to organize references, has recently been upgraded to version 2.0, bringing several major improvements that enhance its functionality and user experience.

Enhanced User Interface

The most noticeable change in PureRef 2.0 is the refreshed user interface. The updated design aims to make the software more comfortable and coherent, facilitating easier access to new and upcoming features. If users prefer the older interface, they can revert to it through the main UI settings.

Support for Animated GIFs

One of the most eagerly anticipated features in PureRef 2.0 is the support for animated GIFs. This new capability includes comprehensive playback controls, allowing users to play, pause, adjust the speed, scrub through frames, step frame-by-frame, and view frame numbers. Additionally, users can drag frames out of the timeline onto the board or play multiple GIFs simultaneously, making it a versatile tool for visual reference.

Simple Drawing Tool

Artists can now utilize a simple drawing tool within PureRef. This feature supports three different stroke widths, an eraser, and a color selector, enabling users to make quick notes and annotations directly on their images. This enhancement is perfect for brainstorming and marking up references without needing a separate application.

Grouping and Hierarchy

PureRef 2.0 introduces the ability to group and ungroup images and notes, allowing users to move them as a unit. The background color and opacity of the group can be adjusted for better visual distinction. This feature is complemented by a new hierarchical system, viewable through a tree view menu option called Hierarchy. This system enables users to control the relationships between images and notes, drag and drop items within the hierarchy, and rename them, providing a clearer organizational structure for complex projects.

Always on Top Feature

The new "Always on top of" feature allows PureRef to remain visible on top of a specific application. By enabling this feature and clicking on the desired application's window, PureRef will stay on top, ensuring that reference images are always accessible without switching between windows.

Support for Embedded Image Color Profiles

PureRef 2.0 now supports embedded image color profiles, ensuring that colors are accurately displayed as intended by the original source. This is crucial for artists who rely on precise color representation in their work.

Rich Text Editor for Notes

The notes functionality in PureRef has been significantly upgraded with a new rich text editor. This editor supports interactive links, checklists, bullet lists, numbered lists, text alignment, fonts, and styles, making it easier for users to manage detailed notes within their projects.

Enhanced Performance and Stability

Several improvements have been made to enhance the performance and stability of PureRef. A new image streaming system has been introduced, which supports caching images on disk to reduce RAM usage. When the Performance mode is set to "Cache on disk," RAM usage is significantly lower, making the application more efficient, especially for large projects. Additionally, saving and loading speeds have been improved, although this enhancement does not apply to existing scenes unless they are converted.

Robust Save and Backup Restore

PureRef 2.0 includes improvements to the save and backup restore functionality, making it more robust against losing unsaved changes in case of a crash or unexpected shutdown. This enhancement provides greater peace of mind for users working on critical projects.

Title Bar and Trackpad Gesture Support

Users can now choose to display a title bar on the main window, which by default shows on mouse over. Additionally, PureRef supports panning and zooming with trackpad gestures, providing a more intuitive navigation experience for users on laptops and other trackpad-enabled devices.

3DConnexion SpaceMouse Support

For artists who use the 3DConnexion SpaceMouse, PureRef now offers support for this device on both Windows and Mac platforms. This feature allows for more precise and comfortable navigation within the application.

Slideshow Controls

PureRef 2.0 introduces slideshow controls, allowing users to navigate through their references with ease. The new controls include navigation buttons and options to randomize the slideshow order, making it simpler to review and manage large collections of reference images.

Improved Coordinate Picker

The coordinate picker has been improved to show a selection and print the pixel measurements of the selected area. It also displays the name and source of the hovered image, providing additional context and information for users working with detailed references.

Additional Noteworthy Features

- Comment Function: Users can now add hidden text info to any item using the comment function (Alt+C), enhancing the ability to include detailed annotations without cluttering the workspace.
- Toggle Locked Function: The new toggle locked function (Alt+L) allows users to lock individual items in the scene, preventing accidental modifications.
- Export Selected as Scene: This feature (Ctrl+Shift+E) enables users to export selected items as a new scene, streamlining the process of creating focused reference boards.
- Command Palette: The addition of a command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or typing in the context menu) provides quick access to various commands, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Zoom Shortcuts: New shortcuts for zooming in and out (Ctrl +/) have been added, offering quicker navigation through reference images.
- Restore Settings: It is now possible to restore all settings to their defaults, ensuring users can easily revert to the original configuration if needed.
- Image Export: Image export now supports exporting in the original format, maintaining the integrity of the reference images.

PureRef 2.0 is a significant update that enhances the tool's usability and functionality for artists. The improved performance, added capabilities, and user-friendly interface solidify PureRef's position as an essential tool in any artist's toolkit.