Love PureRef?
Meet PureRef Built for Video.
PureRef is great for static images, but animators study motion. Animation Reference gives you cloud moodboards, frame-by-frame video playback, 1-click contact sheets, and a built-in library of millions of references.
Experience Studio-Grade Frame Scrubbing
Test drive the actual frame-by-frame player right in your browser. Hit spacebar to play, use , and . to step single frames, and switch speed or camera overlays.
Upload WIP shots & sync side-by-side with any reference clip
Pro gives you unlimited reference viewing, side-by-side playblast comparison, private boards for studio work, and direct MP4 downloads.
Why Animators Switch from Desktop Boards to Cloud Reference
Say goodbye to missing file paths, huge .pur archives, and choppy GIFs.
Native 24 FPS Video Playback
Scrub frame-by-frame with standard hotkeys (, and .), set A–B loops, and adjust speed from 0.1x to 2x to study spacing and arcs.
1-Click PureRef Contact Sheets
Export high-resolution keyframe contact sheets with timecodes and frame numbers directly into image grids formatted for instant copy-paste into PureRef or Photoshop.
Cloud Sync Across All Screens
Access your shot moodboards, acting libraries, and body mechanics clips on any device — from studio workstations to laptops and iPads without transferring gigabytes of files.
PureRef vs. Animation Reference
See how the purpose-built motion platform compares with standard reference boards.
| Capability | PureRef Desktop | Animation Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Video & Clip Playback | Poor/unsupported (mostly static images & limited GIFs) | High-bitrate MP4 video scrubbing, 24 FPS playback & audio |
| Frame-by-Frame Controls | None (no keyframe stepping or FPS control) | Native frame-stepping (< and > keys), A–B loop regions & speed slider |
| Cloud Sync & Cross-Device | Local .pur files only (cumbersome to share across devices) | Instant cloud moodboards accessible on Mac, PC, iPad, and browser |
| Built-in Reference Library | Empty canvas (you must source and download everything yourself) | Millions of integrated references across ArtStation, Sketchfab, Pinterest & Sakugabooru |
| Contact Sheet Generation | Manual layout arrangement required | 1-click high-res keyframe contact sheets ready for production |
| Side-by-Side Playblast Compare | Not supported | Synchronized side-by-side WIP Maya/Blender playblast compare |
| Export Back to PureRef | N/A | 1-click export of keyframes formatted directly for PureRef |
| Pricing | Desktop pay-what-you-want (local only) | Free plan with 35 daily references & unlimited boards; Pro from $1 intro |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Animation Reference alongside PureRef?
Absolutely! Many animators use Animation Reference as their primary cloud reference library and video study tool, and use our 1-click Contact Sheet exporter to export clean keyframe grids into PureRef for their desktop viewports.
Does Animation Reference support video scrubbing like an animator needs?
Yes. Animation Reference was engineered specifically for motion study. You can step frame-by-frame using the comma (,) and period (.) keys, set precise A–B repeat loops for tricky arcs, change playback speed from 0.1x to 2x, and view silhouette/onion-skin spacing overlays.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. Free accounts get unlimited public moodboards, cloud saves, uploads, and 35 free reference clips every day (plus 25 guest clips before signup). Any video you have already watched remains 100% free to rewatch anytime without consuming quota.
What do I get with Pro?
Pro unlocks unlimited reference studies, private encrypted boards for NDA studio work, 24 FPS MP4 video downloads, synchronized side-by-side playblast comparison, and high-res contact sheet exports for $5/month (or $1 for your first month intro offer).
Upgrade Your Reference Workflow Today
Join thousands of animators at Sony, Disney, Riot, and indie studios studying motion with frame-by-frame precision.
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