Open a PureRef file online
Yes, you can. Drop your .pur file below to see your board and every image in it. Save the board as a PNG or PDF, or save the images. It works on a computer or a phone, and your file never leaves your device.
Drop your .pur file here
or
Works with PureRef 2.x boards. Support for 1.x is new. Your file stays on this device and is never uploaded.
How the viewer works
- It reads the file on your device. The viewer opens the board inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded, and you don't need an account.
- You get the full-size images. PureRef keeps a full-size copy of each image inside the .pur file. Save them one at a time, or all at once in a .zip. They keep the format PureRef stored, usually JPG, PNG, or GIF.
- You can see the whole board. Board view puts each image where you left it, at the same size and angle, with flips and crops. It shows your text notes too. Drag to move around, and scroll or pinch to zoom. Drawings and group frames are not shown.
- You can save the whole board as one picture. Choose Save board as PNG or Save board as PDF. Every image is drawn at its place on the board, with your text notes, on a dark background. A very big board is made smaller so your phone or computer does not run out of memory. The viewer tells you the size it saved.
- Each image shows once in the list. If you placed the same image on the board many times, the Images list shows it one time.
- It works with PureRef 2.x boards. Older 1.x boards may open too, but this support is new. If an old board does not open, open it in PureRef 2 and save it again first.
Common questions
Can I open a .pur file without PureRef?
Yes. Drop the file on this page to see the board and every image in it, and to save the images. You don't need to install anything or sign up. To move images around or edit the board, you still need a canvas app. PureRef is free to download, and you can choose to pay for it.
Can I open a PureRef file on my iPhone, iPad, or Android phone?
Yes. PureRef has no app for phones or tablets, but this viewer runs in Safari, Chrome, and other mobile browsers. Tap Choose a .pur file, then pick the board from your Files app, a cloud drive, or your downloads. Pinch to zoom the board, and tap an image to see it large and save it.
Is my .pur file uploaded anywhere?
No. The viewer reads the file inside your browser, on your own device. Your board and its images are never sent to a server. You don't need an account.
How do I export a PureRef board as PNG or PDF?
Drop your .pur file on this page. In Board view, choose Save board as PNG or Save board as PDF. You get the whole board as one picture, with each image where you placed it and your text notes, on a dark background. A very big board is made smaller so it fits in memory, and the viewer tells you the final size. If you have PureRef, you can also right-click the board and choose Save > Export > Scene to save the board as an image.
How do I export images from a PureRef file or convert it to PNG?
To save each image on its own, choose Save > Export > All images in PureRef. Without PureRef, drop the file here and choose Download all as .zip. Each image keeps the format PureRef stored it in, which is usually JPG or PNG. To turn the whole board into one PNG file, choose Save board as PNG in Board view.
Does it work with PureRef 1.x files?
It works with boards saved in PureRef 2.x. Older 1.x boards may open too, but this support is new and has not been tested on many boards. If an older board does not open, open it in PureRef 2, save it, and then drop the new file here. You can also tell us on the contact page so we can fix it.
Are linked images included, or only embedded ones?
The viewer shows every image that is stored inside the .pur file. In the PureRef 2 boards we tested, each image was stored inside the file, even ones added from a folder or a website. PureRef also notes where each image came from, and the viewer uses that to name your downloads. If an image is not stored in the file, the viewer tells you and skips it.
How do I move a PureRef board into refern?
refern is a desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux that can import PureRef 2.x boards. In refern, open Settings > Import, choose Import PureRef Board, and pick your .pur file. refern rebuilds the board as a canvas you can edit, with its images, notes, drawings, and groups. Some styles may look a little different, so check the result. You can try refern free for 30 days.