As a Windows user, you have many tools at your disposal that can help you create mood boards.
One of them is a free and lightweight desktop app called PureRef.
To download PureRef for Windows, go to thePureRef homepageand click onDownloadon the top right.
UnderChoose platform, click onWindowsand grab the architecture in the dropdown.
Scroll down, and underSelect Amount, chooseCustom Amount.
If you want to donate something to support the developers, input your amount.
Scroll down some more, and in theCheckoutsection, click onDownload.
PureRef will now download onto your PC.
To make dragging and dropping images into PureRef easier, you should start by pressingCtrl + Shift + A.
Now, bring up the folder with your reference images and drag and drop them into PureRef.
Give your mood board a name and punch theSavebutton.
PureRef will save the file with the extensionPUR.
tap on the PureRef file you want to open and tap on theOpenbutton.
How to Move Around in PureRef
First, let’s look at how to zoom in PureRef.
To do this on a mouse, roll thescroll wheelup to zoom in and down to zoom out.
On a laptop, place two fingers on thetouchpadand swipe up to zoom in and down to zoom out.
On atouchpad, press theAltkey and then click and drag in any direction.
And if you want to move the PureRef window, right-click and drag it around the screen.
Ctrl + L
Load a mood board.
Ctrl + K
Create a new mood board.
Ctrl + Z
Undo an action.
Ctrl + Shift + Z
Redo an action.
Ctrl + O
This shortcut will optimize the canvas by eliminating extra space around the images.
Ctrl + N
Create a note to leave yourself reminders throughout your mood board.
Ctrl + F
Maximize the PureRef window.
Ctrl + M
Minimize the PureRef Window.
Ctrl + Shift + O
bring up the source of the image.
That means the shortcut will reset things like scaling and rotation.
Ctrl + U
initiate the PureRef options.
PureRef allows you to create a mood board of any size for inspiration during projects.
Plus, it’s free (for personal and professional use), lightweight and easy to use.
