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Bref - Minimalistic Reference Addon

by Kaan S.·Workflow

Images © Kaan S.. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

BRef stands out in the Superhive library for keeping reference management to two clear modes, viewport overlays and orthographic scene references, without cluttering the workspace. A demo video is available, and a separate experimental build with additional features is offered, though the developer notes it is currently unstable and still in development.

What is Bref - Minimalistic Reference Addon?

BRef is a lightweight addon for managing reference images directly inside Blender's 3D viewport or scene. Built around a layer system, it keeps images organized while leaving the workspace clean.

For viewport work, you can add any image to float on top of everything, then drag it freely in Drag Mode, resize it while dragging or with the mouse wheel, and lock the aspect ratio when needed. Images can be grouped into layers, shown per active layer or all at once, adjusted for opacity, flipped horizontally or vertically, and centered with a single click. Everything is managed through a list in the Sidebar under the BRef tab.

For scene work, BRef loads images into the 3D scene on Blender Empties and automatically places references for Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, and Bottom views, handling rotation and positioning for you. Size, distance, and transparency are adjustable per view, and all ortho references can be updated or cleared with one button.

Who is Bref - Minimalistic Reference Addon best for?

Bref - Minimalistic Reference Addon is best for blender artists who want reference images inside the viewport or positioned around a 3D scene for modeling and sculpting work.

How much does Bref - Minimalistic Reference Addon cost?

Bref - Minimalistic Reference Addon is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Viewport overlay images that float on top of everything, draggable in Drag Mode with resize via the green top-right corner, the K key, or the mouse wheel, plus optional aspect-ratio lock
  • Layer-based organization with the option to view only the active layer or all layers at once
  • Per-image opacity control, horizontal and vertical flip, and one-click centering
  • A clean image list in the Sidebar under the BRef tab for managing overlays
  • Orthographic scene references loaded on Blender Empties, automatically placed for Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, and Bottom views with rotation and positioning handled for you
  • Per-view size, distance, and transparency settings, with one button to update or clear all ortho references

Tags

#reference images#viewport overlay#orthographic references#modeling#sculpting#layers#Blender addon

Frequently asked questions

How do I install BRef in Blender?

BRef installs like a standard Blender addon. Download the .zip file, then open Blender and go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons. Click Install, select the downloaded file, and enable BRef in the Add-ons list. Once enabled, open the Sidebar by pressing N in the 3D Viewport and find the BRef tab, where the panels and image list live. From there you can start adding viewport overlays or placing orthographic scene references.

What image formats work best with BRef?

BRef works best with Image Editor-friendly formats like PNG or JPEG. When adding reference images either as viewport overlays or as orthographic scene references, sticking to these common formats keeps things running smoothly. If your source material is in another format, converting it to PNG or JPEG before importing is the safer route, so the addon can load and display it as expected inside Blender's viewport or scene.

Do BRef references get saved with my Blender project?

BRef saves all references with your project file, so they come back when you reopen it. That said, viewport overlays are temporary and meant mainly for workflow rather than final renders, so they won't appear in your rendered output. The orthographic scene references are placed on Blender Empties inside the scene itself. Keep this workflow-first behaviour in mind when planning shots or handing a file to a collaborator so nothing unexpected shows up.

How do I exit Drag Mode or Interactive mode in BRef?

BRef uses Drag Mode and Interactive mode for positioning images, and you exit either one by pressing Right Click or ESC. While in these modes you can scale images with the mouse wheel or by dragging the corners, and in Drag Mode a resize is also available via the green top-right corner or by pressing K. A Drag Mode toggle with on-screen instructions sits at the bottom of the panel to help guide you.

Is BRef free to use?

BRef is listed as free here in our catalog. Licensing and current terms can change over time, so check the developer's page for the latest details before downloading. The addon is offered by Kaan S. and comes with both a main build and a separate experimental build. Note that the experimental version is described as unstable and still in development, so the standard build is the safer choice for production work.

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