Where Does PureRef Save Boards and Settings?
PureRef saves reference boards as .pur files where you choose, with PureRef.ini holding preferences per OS.
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PureRef boards are plain .pur files you place yourself with Ctrl+S. There is no default projects folder. Put them next to the art they support or in a boards folder you back up. Version 2 files cannot open in PureRef 1, though old files open fine going forward.
Preferences live apart in PureRef.ini. That file holds layout, shortcuts, and autosave intervals. Drop a PureRef.ini next to the exe and the install turns portable, which suits USB stick workflows.
Where PureRef stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\PureRef\PureRef.ini
Boards (.pur) are user saved anywhere. Settings file above holds prefs. Portable mode: place PureRef.ini beside PureRef.exe and it uses that copy instead.
~/.config/PureRef/PureRef.ini
Hidden .config folder, press Cmd+Shift+Dot in Finder to reveal. Boards stay wherever you saved the .pur files. Export scenes or images with Ctrl+E for sharing outside PureRef.
~/.config/PureRef/PureRef.ini
Same layout as Mac. Change temp file location in settings if your system disk is small, since large boards write scratch data while saving.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up PureRef boards?
Copy the .pur files to cloud storage or a second drive. They embed pasted images, so no sidecar folder is needed. Copy PureRef.ini too if you care about custom shortcuts and themes.
Why will my .pur file not open on an old PureRef?
PureRef 2 changed the format for speed and original image storage. Save a Legacy PureRef scene copy from the Save As type dropdown for old versions. New features like drawings are dropped in legacy mode.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.