Ktlyst is a web-based reference canvas for concept artists, illustrators, and visual creators. You gather references on one canvas — drag in images, GIFs, or video frames, or import a whole Pinterest board in one click — and Ktlyst explores new concept directions guided only by the references you chose (a feature called Catalyze). It runs in any modern browser on desktop and tablet, with cloud sync and a free plan.

What is the best PureRef alternative for iPad and tablet?

Ktlyst is a web-based reference board that runs in any browser — including Safari on iPad — with cloud sync so your boards follow you between desktop and tablet automatically. Unlike PureRef, which has no iOS or iPad app, Ktlyst is designed for cross-device creative workflows from the ground up. No installation needed.

Is there a PureRef that works on iPad?

PureRef does not have an official iOS or iPad app. Ktlyst fills that gap: it runs in any browser, syncs your reference boards to the cloud, and works on iPad, tablet, and desktop with the same canvas — so your references are always with you wherever you create.

How does Ktlyst compare to PureRef?

PureRef is a desktop-only overlay tool for keeping reference images visible while you paint or model in other apps. Ktlyst is a cloud-synced, browser-based alternative that adds: iPad and tablet support, Pinterest board import in one click, smart organisation with tagging and collections, freehand sketching overlaid on references, the ability to grab specific frames from videos and GIFs, and a concept-exploration layer (Catalyze) that explores new directions guided by your own references. No installation required — it works in any modern browser.

Do I need to learn prompts or any special tools?

No. You work the way you already do — gather references, sketch, note what you're after. Ktlyst handles the rest behind the scenes, so you stay focused on the vision, not on tooling.

Is this just an image generator?

No. Ktlyst is a reference-driven canvas for clarifying YOUR direction — built around how you already work, collecting references and browsing Pinterest. What it surfaces is an exploration of your own references, for you to take forward.

Can I bring in my Pinterest boards?

Yes. Connect Pinterest and pull an entire board onto a canvas in one move — every pin laid out and ready, instead of saving and re-uploading each one. (Free: 1 board · Pro: unlimited.)

Can I use videos or GIFs as references?

Yes. Drop an MP4, WebM, MOV, M4V, or OGV video — or a GIF — and a frame picker opens so you can scrub through and grab the exact frames you want. Only the frames you pick are saved as reference images; the source video or GIF never leaves your device. (Frame-by-frame GIF picking needs a recent browser; older ones add the first frame instead.)

Can I reuse the same character or element across projects?

Yes. Distil a group of references into one clean, typed element (a character, a costume, a prop), then save it to your Elements library. Drag it onto any canvas to reuse it, merge it with other elements, or paint it into a composition sketch — build it once, use it everywhere.

Can I correct a generated image?

Yes, with Redline (a Pro feature): draw your corrections in red straight on the image — arrows, circles, and handwritten notes — and Ktlyst applies them beside the original, non-destructively, so your original stays put.

Who owns what I create?

Ktlyst claims no ownership over your canvases or the directions you explore — they're yours to take forward into your own work. You're responsible for clearing any rights you need before using output commercially. (How copyright applies to generated images varies by country, so we don't make legal guarantees about that.)

Do you use my images or art to train AI?

No. Ktlyst never uses your uploads, canvases, or prompts to train AI models, and never sells them. Your references and prompts are sent to our AI providers only to generate or analyse images at your request. OpenAI does not use data submitted through its API to train its models; fal.ai processes your content under its own terms to run the generation.

Does it work on tablet?

Yes. Your canvas is cloud-synced, so you can collect on desktop and refine on tablet — or anywhere you work.

What devices and browsers does Ktlyst support?

Editing works on tablets and desktops (iPad, Windows, Mac) in recent versions of Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox. Phones get a view-only experience. Ktlyst runs in the browser and needs an internet connection.

Is there a free plan?

Yes — the free plan gives you 5 canvases (each with as many references as you like) and 15 Catalyze runs a month. No credit card required.

October 19, 2026

Your First Catalyze Session: From Five Reference Images to a New Creative Direction

Catalyzereference boardconcept artgetting startedPureRef alternative

If you have used a reference board such as PureRef or BeeRef, you already know how to collect images. The first session with Ktlyst's Catalyze feature asks for something slightly different: you decide what you want to explore, and the board becomes the starting point for a new creative direction. This walkthrough takes you through a first session using just five reference images.

Why Start With Five Images

A small set keeps the first session easy to read. With five references, you can remember why each one is on the board, notice what they share, and judge the results against your own intent. Large boards are valuable once you know what you are looking for, but they can hide the signal when you are still learning how a tool responds. Five images is a practical starting point rather than a rule, so treat it as a way to keep the experiment focused.

Step 1: Choose a Single Question

Before you open any images, write down one question you want the session to help with. It might be "What could the silhouette of this character feel like?" or "What lighting mood suits this environment?" A single question gives every reference a job. Without it, the board tends to become a pile of things you like, which is useful for inspiration but harder to steer. Keep the question short enough to fit on a sticky note.

Step 2: Pick and Upload Five References

Choose images that each answer a different part of your question. For example, one for shape language, one for color, one for texture, one for mood, and one for a detail you are unsure about. Add them to a new canvas in Ktlyst. Supported file formats and size limits are noted in the product documentation (needs verification), so check them before preparing a large batch. If you are moving from another tool, you can start with a handful of your existing references rather than transferring an entire library.

Step 3: Arrange the Board

Place related images near each other and leave visible space between groups that serve different purposes. Arrangement is part of how you think here, not just housekeeping. Grouping the shape references together and the color references together makes it easier for you to read the results afterwards, because you will remember which group influenced which part of the outcome. Add a short note beside any image whose purpose is not obvious.

Step 4: Run Catalyze

With the board arranged, select the images you want to include and start a Catalyze run. The exact control names and labels may differ between versions of the app (needs verification), so look for the Catalyze action in the canvas interface. Catalyze uses the references you chose as its guide to explore directions, rather than asking you to write a long text prompt. The number of results per run and the monthly allowance for each plan are listed on the pricing page (needs verification).

Step 5: Read the Results Like a Conversation

Treat the output as a reply, not a verdict. Look at what the results picked up from your references and what they ignored. Ask yourself which result surprised you in a useful way, which one feels closest to your question, and which one is clearly off. Notes help here: write one line about why you like or dislike a result. Those observations are often more valuable than the images themselves, because they tell you what you actually want.

Step 6: Feed the Best Result Back In

Add the most promising result to your board alongside the original references. You can then remove a reference that pulled in the wrong direction, add a new one that fills a gap, and run another round. Each cycle narrows the question or opens a branch worth exploring. Two or three short rounds are usually enough to move from a vague mood to a direction you can describe in a sentence, which is the point at which you can start your own drawing, painting, or modeling.

Common Questions

Do I need to write a prompt? Catalyze is designed around the references you place on the board, so the board does most of the communicating. Short notes can add context where you want it.

Is five images the right number every time? No. It is a convenient starting size for a first session. Use more or fewer once you understand how your own references influence the results.

Is this meant to replace my reference board tool? Many artists use Ktlyst as a PureRef alternative for collecting and organizing, and then use Catalyze when they want to explore beyond what they have gathered. Whether it suits your workflow depends on how you work.

Will the results be finished artwork? Catalyze is intended to help you explore directions. Plan on using the results as inspiration and as material for your own decisions.

Try It on Your Next Project

Pick a real question from your current project, gather five references, and run one short session. You will learn more from a single focused attempt than from reading about the feature. When you are ready, open Ktlyst, create a new canvas, and see how your first Catalyze session goes.