# ImgRef — Reference board & ColorPicker

> Cross-platform creative workflow tool for mood boards, image management, and color picking. (iPhone/iPad app by 文荣 李.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imgref/id6742316732 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [文荣 李](https://appshunter.io/developer/1797720895)
- Category: Graphics & Design, Photo & Video
- Price: Free with in-app purchases (on sale, was $3.99)
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 124 App Store ratings · 43 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 76 MB
- Languages: Korean, German (Germany), Russian, Malay, European Spanish, Arabic, American English, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese and 7 more
- Released: 2025-03-03
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imgref/id6742316732/reviews.md

## What is ImgRef?

「App Store Editor's Choice」  「98% 5-Star Ratings」  「Cross-Platform for iPhone/iPad/MacOS」
Redefine your creative workflow - an all-in-one tool combining mood boards, reference images, smart asset management, precise color picking, and free-form collaging across devices.

Designed for UI/brand/illustration/photography/architecture/video storyboard and other creative scenarios, this is your professional reference image and inspiration board on iPhone / iPad / macOS.

Core Features:
1. Unlimited Canvas: Smart caching and image management for large long-term libraries and smooth browsing.
2. Multi-Select Batch Processing: Select multiple images for adaptive scaling, smart layout, uniform size, copy, and alignment.
3. Professional Workflow: Full keyboard shortcuts (Mac / iPad keyboard) for faster frequent actions.
4. Image Editing: Rotate, crop, desaturate, flip, adjust opacity, layers, scale, and more.
5. Dynamic Color Picker: Pick any canvas color in real time and get common color codes.
6. Video Processing: MP4 playback and 4K still extraction for faster storyboards, covers, and video references.
7. Stylized Text: Built-in fonts and styles make notes, titles, and labels clearer on the canvas.
8. Magnetic Guides: Alignment hints and smart snapping for precise layouts.
9. GIF Decomposition: Break animations into frames for clearer detail references.
10. Import Methods: Clipboard, photo library, folders, camera, drag & drop (iPad / Mac).
11. Export Methods: Scene export and image group export for sharing and delivery.
12. Web Drag & Drop: Drag images from Pinterest / ArtStation / Midjourney / Pixiv / Instagram and more.
13. Multiple Modes: View, lock, and edit modes keep browsing and editing separate.
14. Brush Tools: Annotate and highlight key areas for more intuitive communication.
15. File Management: Grid/list views with multiple sorting options.
16. Canvas Zoom: Smooth zoom and pan for comfortable detail viewing.
17. Multi-Select Quick Alignment: Quick alignment/distribution after multi-select.
18. Backup & Import: Full backup and package import for migration and recovery.
19. File Search: Search by keyword to find target files fast.

Pro Enhancements:
1. Image/GIF/Video Notes: Add notes to capture ideas and key points.
2. Preview Mode: Switch to a clean preview for focused viewing and presentations.
3. Advanced Crop: Fit different aspect ratios and compositions faster for cleaner output.
4. Image Blur: Blur images for privacy protection and richer visual layering.
5. High-Resolution Scene Export (PNG): Export full scenes as HD PNG for sharing and delivery.
6. File Favorites: Save frequent files for quick access to key references.
7. Category Tags: Tag files by use, project, or status for faster filtering.
8. Dotted Background: Toggle a dotted background for clearer edge contrast.
9. Canvas Grayscale: Focus on tone and composition with grayscale view.
10. Image Color Analysis: Extract dominant colors to understand palette relationships.
11. Layer Panel: Preview names, reorder, and quick select for efficient layer management.
12. Scheduled Playback: Timed switching, playback controls, and countdown.
13. Layer Search: Filter by type and keyword to quickly locate target content among many layers.
14. Brush Presets: Switch stroke width, color, and opacity for annotation, highlighting, and sketching.
15. Canvas RGB Single-Channel Preview: View R/G/B channels separately to analyze color distribution, tone, and detail.

You can subscribe to ImgRef Pro. Charged to your iTunes account on confirmation. Auto-renews unless canceled 24+ hours before period end. Manage in iTunes Store.

Privacy Policy: https://xunhuaref.cn/index.php/privacypolicy/
Terms of Use: https://xunhuaref.cn/index.php/privacypolicy/eula-en/

Download now and experience the smoothest creative tool in the Apple ecosystem!

Thank you for reading. Contact us:
Email: xunhuaref@163.com

## Key features

- Unlimited canvas with smart caching
- Multi-select batch processing
- Professional workflow with keyboard shortcuts
- Image editing and adjustments
- Dynamic color picker
- Cross-platform support (iOS/macOS)
- Video frame extraction
- GIF decomposition

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ImgRef Annual Subscription | $5.99 | per year |


## What do users think of ImgRef?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great alternative to Vizref
- 👍 Simple and intuitive
- 👍 Lots of features Vizref doesn't have
- 👍 Satisfying image compilation
- 👍 Lovely app and intuitive
- 👍 Very good and easy to understand
- 👍 Best reference image software

**Cons**

- 👎 Monotonous image selection and movement
- 👎 Unappealing UI

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Trouble importing images from other apps

**Most requested features**

- Add cropping functionality
- Implement doodle/text feature for notes
- Add GIF frame reading function

## Recent user reviews (10 of 43)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imgref/id6742316732/reviews.md

### 5/5 — 手軽で良い

*2026-08-17*

似たアプリとして純正のフリーボードを使っていましたが、こちらのアプリでは写真をまとめて読み込むと自動で綺麗に並べてくれるのがかなり楽です！動作もこちらの方が軽い気がします。
おかげで気軽に資料作りが出来るようになりました。

**Developer response:** お気に入りいただき、ありがとうございます。

### 5/5 — 神アプリ

*2026-08-16*

これは使える

**Developer response:** お気に入りいただき、ありがとうございます。

### 5/5 — 便利

*2026-08-14*

ありがとう

**Developer response:** お気に入りいただき、ありがとうございます。

### 5/5 — ホンマにあり

*2026-08-01*

痒いところに手が届くというのはこの事。私は集中力が無いんじゃなくて、絵を描くために必要な資料をカメラロールやら画像検索アプリから見つけ出して資料ごとに変えることにリソースを取られていたのだなと気づきました。本当にありがとうございます。

**Developer response:** ご愛用いただき、誠にありがとうございます。

### 5/5 — 別端末で同期したい

*2026-07-31*

すごく使いやすいです！
アカウントの項目が無いので、別端末(iPadとiPhoneなど)でも同じアカウントを用いて、同じボードを見れるようにしてほしいです。それ以外は完璧です！何卒よろしくお願いします。

**Developer response:** ご愛用いただき、誠にありがとうございます。いただいたご要望は、開発チームに共有いたします。

### 5/5 — とても使いやすい！端末間で自動的に同期する機能が欲しい

*2026-07-30*

バックアップとインポートが手動なのが手間が掛かる

**Developer response:** ご愛用いただき、誠にありがとうございます。いただいたご要望は、開発チームに共有いたします。

### 1/5 — Greed

*2026-07-25*

Purchased this app and everything has been going great. Until I opened up the app and began to get pop ups for a pro subscription. Of course you’re not forced to have it. It’s the fact that even if you purchase the app, in order to use certain features, you need to purchase an annual subscription. Disappointing.

Also, the developers responses to people criticizing their implementation of a subscription service is concerning. You have to pay to download this app, that should be considered pro. There shouldn’t be tiers behind a PAID app. Are the basic features still there? Yes, but it’s the principle. You have limited options. For example, in order to organize your boards into folders, you have to pay an annual subscription fee.

**Developer response:** The functions of the basic version have not changed and are still being updated. Pro provides a large number of functions that far exceed that of competitors in the industry. You can try to experience it.

### 1/5 — This app’s interface is buggy

*2026-07-08*

I love the app at first but with every subsequent update the app is getting worst and worst for paying customers. I wish there was an option to hide all the features with the crown symbols.

**Developer response:** The functions of the basic version have not changed and are still being updated. Pro provides a large number of functions that far exceed that of competitors in the industry. You can try to experience it.

### 5/5 — 使いやすいが改善点あり

*2026-07-08*

とても使いやすいです！

ただ、動画の確認がしにくいです。再生バーのつまみを指で移動させている間は動画が一時停止してしまうので、移動させている間もコマ送りみたいに動きを確認できるようにして欲しいです。

また、私はiPadで画面分割して細くして見ているので、表示モードにしたとき名称と目と鍵のアイコンがある部分が大きくて少し邪魔です。小さく設定できるようにするか、画面を触っていない間は表示が消えるようにするか、スワイプやダブルタップ、三点リーダーか何かで表示・非表示にできたら嬉しいです。

**Developer response:** ご指摘の内容は開発チームに共有済みです。動画機能については、引き続き改善の可否を調査します。プレビューモードの表示領域の問題は、主に iOS 26 の左上にある閉じるボタン領域が原因です。現在、チームでも業界における回避方法を調査しています。ご意見ありがとうございます。ほかにご不明点がございましたら、いつでもメールでお問い合わせください。

### 1/5 — The last update

*2026-07-01*

I will change my review.
They did not take my feature away but made it more annoying to access and littered the screen with features locked behind a subscription.
This developer is the only one that does this and bullies their early adopters.
Sadly I cannot recommend this software to anybody who is using this app professionally. 
My workflow is disrupted with their unethical behavior, and I am beyond angry at how they handle the app. 
The app is terrible to use now. Add a hide premium feature option to keep the ui more usable.

**Developer response:** Pro provides a large number of functions far beyond competitors in the industry. You can try it.

## Frequently asked questions about ImgRef

### What does ImgRef do?

ImgRef is an all-in-one creative tool that combines mood boards, reference images, smart asset management, precise color picking, and free-form collaging. It is designed to redefine creative workflows by breaking down device boundaries and offering a seamless experience for various creative professionals.

### What are the key features of ImgRef?

Key features include an unlimited canvas with smart caching, multi-select batch processing for images, professional workflow optimizations with keyboard shortcuts, comprehensive image editing tools, a dynamic color picker, and multi-platform support for iPhone, iPad, and macOS. It also supports video processing, stylized text, and GIF decomposition.

### Is ImgRef free to use?

Based on the provided information, the application is free to use. There are no mentions of subscriptions, in-app purchases, or ad-support, indicating a free monetization model.

### What devices is ImgRef compatible with?

ImgRef is a cross-platform application that is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and macOS devices. This allows users to maintain a consistent creative workflow across their Apple ecosystem.

### Who is the target audience for ImgRef?

This app is designed for professionals in creative fields such as UI/brand design, illustration, photography, architecture, and video storyboarding. It serves as a professional reference image and inspiration board tool for these users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.17.1 — 2026-08-26

- Added object info menu to view and edit creation/modification time, color info, external links, and notes
- Support external links for quick navigation to local files and web pages
- Support canvas R/G/B single-channel preview to help observe color distribution, tonal layers, and detail differences
- Added multiple brush presets with color, thickness, and opacity adjustment
- Added layer type filter in playback mode
- Improved color picker: color display area now supports direct double-click to pick colors
- Fixed email feedback and other known issues

### 4.16.0 — 2026-08-18

- Support external links for quick navigation to local files and web pages.
- Support canvas R/G/B single-channel preview to help observe color distribution, tonal layers, and detail differences.
- Added multiple brush presets with color, thickness, and opacity adjustment.
- Added layer type filter in playback mode.
- Improved color picker: color display area now supports direct double-click to pick colors.
- Optimized adaptive features and layer panel display issues.
- Fixed email feedback and other known issues.

### 4.15.2 — 2026-08-06

- Support canvas R/G/B single-channel preview to help observe color distribution, tonal layers, and detail differences.
- Added multiple brush presets with color, thickness, and opacity adjustment.
- Added layer type filter in playback mode.
- Improved color picker: color display area now supports direct double-click to pick colors.
- Optimized adaptive features and layer panel display issues.
- Fixed email feedback and other known issues.

### 4.13.6 — 2026-07-27

- Added canvas R/G/B single-channel preview to help inspect color distribution, tonal layers, and detail differences.
- Added brush support for multiple presets, with color, thickness, and opacity adjustment.
- Added expand/collapse support for the left button area.
- Added a layer type filter in playback mode.
- Improved the eyedropper: the color display area now supports picking colors via double-click.
- Optimized adaptive features and layer panel display issues.
- Fixed email feedback and other known issues.

### 4.13.5 — 2026-07-17

- Added canvas R/G/B single-channel preview to help inspect color distribution, tonal layers, and detail differences.
- Added brush support for multiple presets, with color, thickness, and opacity adjustment.
- Added expand/collapse support for the left button area.
- Added a layer type filter in playback mode.
- Improved the eyedropper: the color display area now supports picking colors via double-click.
- Optimized adaptive features and layer panel display issues.
- Fixed email feedback and other known issues.

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## More apps by 文荣 李

- [YearTodo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yeartodo/id6754216471)

All apps by 文荣 李: https://appshunter.io/developer/1797720895

## Related topics

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*