What it does
BeeRef arranges reference images and text notes on a floating canvas. Its saved boards embed the images for moving a reference collection together.
Crop, rotate or flip a reference to focus on the part needed for a drawing. Batch scaling can match several images by width, height or size, and automatic arrangements distribute them horizontally, vertically or across the available space.
Always-on-top mode keeps the board visible over an art application; hiding the title bar leaves more room for the references.
A .bee file contains its images as PNG or JPEG inside a database. Built-in image export is still listed as planned. The documented recovery route extracts embedded files with SQLite, so retaining original image files avoids depending on that technical step.
BeeRef is GPL software for Windows, Linux and Mac. Its software licence does not change the rights attached to a reference image.
Strengths
- Batch scaling makes a collection easier to compare
- Embedded images travel with the saved board
Watch out for
- Extracting embedded images requires the documented database route
Best for
- Reference boards beside a drawing application
Sources
- BeeRef features, file format and licence (Oct 27, 2026)
- BeeRef official repository and storage documentation (Oct 27, 2026)