# ReferenceFrame: Frame Designer — Picture Frame Build Calculator

> Calculates custom picture frame and mat dimensions, providing cut lists and diagrams. (iPhone/iPad app by Graham Larue.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/referenceframe-frame-designer/id6758589669 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Graham Larue](https://appshunter.io/developer/1873829108)
- Category: Lifestyle, Utilities
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 26 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-02-09
- Data updated: 2026-08-20
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/referenceframe-frame-designer/id6758589669/reviews.md

## What is ReferenceFrame?

ReferenceFrame does the math for custom picture framing. Enter your artwork size and frame stock dimensions, and it sorts out mat cuts, rabbet clearances, material stack depths, and a complete cut list.

WHAT IT DOES

- Calculates frame, mat, and cut dimensions from your artwork size
- Checks that everything actually fits in the rabbet (and tells you when it won't)
- Generates a technical cross-section diagram with labeled dimensions
- Plans corner spline slots: placement and safe depth for your moulding
- Lays out hanging hardware: hanger positions, wire length, and where the hook lands
- Estimates finished weight and wire tension from real wood, glass, and board densities
- Exports a PDF summary you can take to the workshop
- Saves configurations and keeps a history of your designs

DETAILS

- Inches (including fractions) or millimeters
- Traditional rabbet or sight-size (full-bleed) frame styles
- "Cut to fit" sizes that honor assembly clearance
- Standard and custom artwork sizes
- Adjustable defaults for frame stock, mat width, material thicknesses, and more
- Works entirely offline — nothing leaves your device

Built for anyone who's ever needed to know exactly how wide to cut a mat, and would rather not find out the hard way that they were off by an eighth.

## Key features

- Calculates frame, mat, and cut dimensions
- Checks artwork fit within rabbet
- Generates technical cross-section diagrams
- Exports PDF summary
- Saves configurations and design history
- Supports inches (with fractions) and millimeters
- Works entirely offline


## Frequently asked questions about ReferenceFrame

### What is ReferenceFrame used for?

ReferenceFrame is used to calculate all the necessary dimensions for custom picture framing projects. It helps determine mat cuts, rabbet clearances, material stack depths, and provides a complete cut list and technical diagram.

### How does ReferenceFrame handle measurements?

ReferenceFrame supports both inches, including fractions, and millimeters for all its calculations. This flexibility allows users to work with their preferred measurement system.

### Can ReferenceFrame be used without an internet connection?

Yes, ReferenceFrame works entirely offline. All calculations and data are processed on your device, ensuring privacy and accessibility even without an internet connection.

### What kind of output does ReferenceFrame provide?

ReferenceFrame generates a technical cross-section diagram with labeled dimensions and exports a PDF summary. This summary includes a complete cut list, making it easy to take to your workshop.

### Does ReferenceFrame save previous designs?

Yes, ReferenceFrame saves your configurations and keeps a history of your designs. This allows you to easily revisit and reuse previous framing setups.

### What is the price of ReferenceFrame?

ReferenceFrame is a paid application, available for a one-time purchase of $4.99. This price grants you full access to all its features without any recurring fees.

### How often is ReferenceFrame updated?

The latest version, 1.4.2, was released on March 1, 2026. Updates typically address bug fixes and potential feature enhancements to improve the user experience.

### What devices is ReferenceFrame compatible with?

ReferenceFrame is designed for Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is suitable for users within the 4+ age rating.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.8.4 — 2026-07-16

New in this release:

- Sight-size frames: keep the full image visible with no lip overlap — the opening matches your artwork exactly
- Spline joinery guide: safe corner-spline slot placement and depth, drawn right on the diagrams from your moulding and rabbet
- Hanging layout: hanger positions, wire cut length, and where the hook lands
- Weight & wire tension estimates from real material data — pick your wood species, glass or acrylic, and backing board
- "Cut to fit" sizes for glazing, backing, and matboard that honor assembly clearance
- Share links now carry mat borders, overlap, clearance, and frame style; all measurements respect your inch/mm setting
- New Settings for spline, hanging, and clearance defaults, plus diagram layer toggles

### 1.5.1 — 2026-06-23

- Frame diagrams now follow your device's dark mode for comfortable viewing in low light
- Added haptic feedback for taps and menu actions, with an on/off switch in Settings
- Behind-the-scenes improvements to reliability and consistency

### 1.4.4 — 2026-06-12

- More consistent measurement display throughout the app
- Smoother, faster preview updates while you edit
- Fixed a rare issue where an error could clear your current design
- Fixed rare calculation errors with unusual artwork dimensions
- Improved reliability of shared design links and saved designs

### 1.4.2 — 2026-03-01

- Redesigned size selector: browse by aspect ratio or common print sizes, save and manage your own custom sizes
- New detail mode options let you choose exactly how much info appears on diagrams
- Smarter diagram layout with better label placement, especially for unusual frame proportions
- Validation settings now take effect immediately and are organized into clearer groups
- Improved zoom behavior with smooth snap-back when fitting diagrams to screen
- Bug fixes and visual refinements throughout

### 1.3.2 — 2026-02-24

- Added a Detail Mode with zoomed corner view and axis breaks for large frames, making dimensions easier to read at a glance
- Improved label layout so dimension callouts no longer overlap on complex designs
- Fixed decimal display in certain unit configurations
- General refinements to the technical diagram

## More apps by Graham Larue

- [cairn — Immich sync](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cairn-immich-sync/id6763392945)

All apps by Graham Larue: https://appshunter.io/developer/1873829108

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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 2026-08-20.*
