Drag images onto a board. Move them around, place them side by side, and add notes. Try out colors and poses for a new character, or plan the feel of a room.
Need more ideas? Go back to your library and add more images to the same board.
Find a file in refern, then drag it into your project or open it in your usual app. Go from finding an idea to working on it.
Start with the folders you already have. refern reads those files where they are, so you do not need a second copy of your library. Imports and web saves can add new files.
Save from the web.
See an image you want to use later? Save it with the free refern Clipper. Add a tag as you save. The web link stays with the image, so you can go back to its source.
Yes. $35 once, updates included, and no subscription. Try the whole app free for 30 days before you pay.
Your files and data stay in their folders on your disk. You can still get to them. After 30 days, you need to buy a license to keep using refern.
When you add a folder, refern reads the files where they are. It does not move them or make extra copies. Imports can add files. For example, Eagle import copies each file once. If it belongs in more than one folder, refern uses links to that copy.
Yes. Copy files or drag them into another app or a folder. You get the original files. You can also open a file in your usual app or choose a different app.
Yes. Open Settings, then Import. Eagle imports keep your folders, tags, ratings, and source links. Files can still appear in more than one folder. Only file types allowed in your workspace are brought in. PureRef 2.x boards become canvases you can edit. Allusion imports keep your tags. Your old libraries stay as they are.
No. You can download Auto Tagger models to suggest tags and read text in images. They run on your device and can use your graphics chip. You can also set up Search by meaning to find images without adding general tags. To add your own tags, hover over an image and press T for Quick Tags.
No. Images and videos are on by default. You can turn on PDFs, design files, 3D files, fonts, archives, code, or all file types. You can preview PDF pages and open them in refern. AVIF previews keep clear backgrounds. Files that cannot be previewed show an icon for their file type.
You do not need an account to use the desktop app. You can browse, search, make boards, view files, and practice offline. Your library stays on your device. You need the internet to activate a license, check for updates or trial time, download optional models, send feedback, or save images from the web.
Three, on any mix of Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Try the whole app free for 30 days, with no card needed. Since you can try it first, purchases are final. A refund may still be possible in limited cases if you email within 5 days of buying. See the refund terms you agree to before using the app.
Come share what you are working on.
Meet other artists and designers on Discord. Share your work, ask for help, or tell us what would make refern more useful to you.