PureRef offers flexible options to adjust transparency, allowing you to control the visibility of individual images as well as the entire application window. This helps in overlaying references, comparing images, or simply making your workspace less obtrusive.
Adjusting Transparency of Individual Images
To change the transparency of a specific image or a selection of images within your PureRef canvas:
- Select the Image(s): Click on the image you wish to adjust. To select multiple images, hold down
Shiftand click on additional images, or drag a selection box around them. - Use the Opacity Shortcut:
- With the image(s) selected, press and hold
Ctrl(Windows/Linux) orCommand(macOS). - While holding
Ctrl/Command, scroll your mouse wheel up to increase the opacity (make it less transparent) or scroll down to decrease the opacity (make it more transparent).
- With the image(s) selected, press and hold
- Access Opacity Slider:
- Alternatively, you can access a precise opacity control. Select the image(s).
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + O(Windows/Linux) orCommand + Shift + O(macOS). A small slider will appear near your cursor, allowing you to fine-tune the opacity percentage. - You can also right-click on a selected image, navigate to Image > Opacity, and choose a preset percentage or open the opacity slider.
Practical Tip: Adjusting individual image transparency is particularly useful when you need to layer reference images, ghost a background image for tracing, or compare variations by subtly revealing one beneath another.
Adjusting PureRef Application Transparency
Beyond individual images, you can also modify the transparency of the entire PureRef application window. This allows you to see through the canvas to your desktop or other running applications, making PureRef a seamless overlay tool.
The application-wide transparency affects the entire PureRef window, including all images and UI elements.
You can control the application opacity using dedicated keyboard shortcuts:
| Action | Windows / Linux Shortcut | macOS Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Increase Opacity (10%) | Ctrl + Shift + / |
Shift + Command + + |
| Decrease Opacity (10%) | Ctrl + Shift + - |
Shift + Command + - |
These shortcuts adjust the application's opacity in increments of 10%. For more detailed control, you can usually find an opacity slider in the PureRef settings or preferences menu.
Adjusting the application's transparency is ideal for:
- Overlaying References: Place your PureRef window over your primary design or drawing application to keep references visible without constantly switching windows.
- Non-Intrusive Workflow: Make PureRef blend into your desktop when you're not actively interacting with it, ensuring it doesn't distract from other tasks.
For more details on PureRef's features and shortcuts, you can always refer to the official PureRef website.
