Software Alternatives & Startups

PureRef VS Mesh Gradient

Compare PureRef VS Mesh Gradient and see what are their differences

PureRef

The simple way to view and organize your multiple reference images.

Rating
0 reviews
Mesh Gradient

Create beautiful gradients

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Mesh Gradient should be more popular than PureRef. It has been mentioned 10 times since March 2021.

social mentions
4 vs 10
Productivity popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
120 vs 160

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

PureRef
Mesh Gradient
Website pureref.com meshgradient.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PureRef 6 features
Mesh Gradient 3 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    PureRef offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to organize and manage reference images. The minimalistic design allows users to focus on their work without unnecessary distractions.
  • Lightweight and Portable
    The software is lightweight and does not require installation, making it highly portable. Users can run PureRef from a USB drive or any location on their computer.
  • Flexible Canvas
    PureRef provides a flexible canvas that can be easily resized and adjusted to fit users’ needs. This allows for seamless scaling of images without quality loss and the ability to organize the workspace freely.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    PureRef is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to maintain a consistent workflow across different operating systems.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users can customize keyboard shortcuts to fit their workflow, which increases efficiency and speeds up navigation within the software.
  • Multiple Image Formats
    PureRef supports a wide range of image formats, ensuring compatibility with most reference images beyond basic formats like JPG and PNG.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Editing Tools
    While PureRef excels in organizing and displaying reference images, it lacks advanced editing tools, which means users need to rely on other software for image adjustments or annotations.
  • No Cloud Integration
    PureRef does not offer built-in cloud storage or syncing options, which could be inconvenient for users who work across multiple devices and want seamless access to their reference boards.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functionalities are easy to grasp, some advanced features and keyboard shortcuts may require time to learn and master, particularly for users new to PureRef.
  • Not Free for All Users
    Although PureRef offers a pay-what-you-want pricing model, users may face ethical dilemmas or budget constraints when deciding what to pay, especially if they plan to use it for professional purposes.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional lag or performance issues when handling extremely large collections of high-resolution images, which can disrupt workflow.
  • Aesthetic Appeal
    Mesh gradients provide a visually appealing and modern look, often used to create eye-catching designs and backgrounds due to their smooth and fluid color transitions.
  • Versatility
    They can be used in a variety of design contexts, from web backgrounds to branding elements, offering designers a flexible tool for enhancing visuals.
  • Enhanced Depth
    The use of gradients can add a sense of depth and dimension to flat designs, making them more engaging and dynamic.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity in Design
    Creating a visually balanced mesh gradient can be challenging, requiring a good understanding of color theory and design skills to avoid clashing colors.
  • Resource Intensive
    High-resolution mesh gradients can increase the file size, potentially impacting website loading times if not optimized properly.
  • Accessibility Issues
    Gradients can sometimes cause readability issues, especially if used as backgrounds for text without proper contrast consideration.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

PureRef 3 videos + Add
Mesh Gradient 1 video + Add

The Best Free Tool for Artists - PureRef

More videos

  • - PureRef tutorial: a free, cross-platform virtual board for artists!
  • - PureRef Review

How to make Mesh Gradient in Photoshop (Top UI Trends of 2021 )

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
PureRef
Mesh Gradient
100% 100%
0% 0%
24% 24%
76% 76%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using PureRef and Mesh Gradient. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

PureRef 4 mentions
Mesh Gradient 10 mentions
  • how do u guys organize your visual inspiration/refs digitally?
    I mainly use offline means: organising all my files in a hierarchy of folders and using pureref (which I highly recommend) to make moodboards, and ofc an external hard drive to save backups. The only online means I use is google drive... Source: about 4 years ago
  • HELP! So I want to trace this Image(704x702) into a Pixel art (32 x 32 or 40 x 40) but when I resize it, it gets like this (2nd picture) and if I don't, then the pixels are too small, What do i do?
    If you just want the image to be a transparent overlay while you draw 'through the image'(with it being unchanged) you can use something like Pureref(pureref.com) to set the image as always on top + turn opacity down a bit. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Hide user name in menu bar.
    If you can’t get it to work inside of max, I thought of a free easy workaround you could try. I use the software pureref to manage and quickly access reference images. You could just resize an empty pureref window to cover your username.... Source: over 4 years ago

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  • How are these blurry background animations made?? (GSAP?)
    It’s called a mesh gradient and there are some generators for it if you want to take an easy route. For example https://meshgradient.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How do I make images like this?
    If you want a bit more control and want to set your own colours, you can try meshgradient.com. It's free and the final image is exported as a high-resolution PNG. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is there a name for the moving soft gradient backgrounds? I've seen it on a lot of crypto/startup sites recently.
    You can download gradients, make them yourself with design software or gradient generators, and then animate them using basic CSS—Partiful uses a 12 second linear animation that basically scrolls a static gradient image. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to PureRef and Mesh Gradient

When comparing PureRef and Mesh Gradient, you can also consider the following products.