animation tool
ImageRef
AS_ImageRef by AnimStarter is a Maya reference manager that turns image plane setup into one click. Select your video file and ImageRef does the rest: it detects image sequences and syncs them to your timeline, constrains the reference to your camera so it stays put, and lets you set the start frame from its own UI. Built by a feature film animator who wanted it for their own daily work.
£4.99one-time, perpetual licence
- 30 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 5 May 2026
- Released
- Works with
- Autodesk Maya
- Licence
- Perpetual
- File size
- 221.8 KB
- Install
- Drag and drop MEL, AnimStarter shelf
Maya
Instant download Vetted creator
What it does
Three image plane chores ImageRef takes off your plate
The problem
Six steps before you can animate
Create a plane, find the file, connect the node, tick use image sequence, set the offset, line it up. ImageRef does all of it when you select the video file.
The problem
A reference that slides around the scene
The reference is constrained straight to your camera, so it stays exactly where you need it.
The problem
A reference that does not start on frame one
Adjust the start frame directly from the ImageRef UI, without going anywhere near the Attribute Editor.
Inside the tool
Reference in, back to animating
AnimStarter built AS_ImageRef for their own daily work on feature films, so every detail in it solves a problem they ran into themselves. Use it to study mechanics, block an acting beat from video reference, or keep your work lined up with a master plate.
ONE CLICK
Select the video, done
The script builds the whole image plane setup for you.
SEQUENCES
Auto-detects image sequences
And syncs them to your timeline so the reference plays in time with your work.
CAMERA
Constrained to your camera
The reference stays in place instead of sliding around the scene.
TIMING
Start frame from the UI
Offset a reference that does not begin on frame one.
Getting set up
Installed in three steps
- 1
Drop the installer into Maya
Drag INSTALL_AS_ImageRef.mel into the Maya viewport.
- 2
Restart Maya
Close and reopen Maya so the shelf loads.
- 3
Open it from the AnimStarter shelf
AS_ImageRef lives on the AnimStarter shelf, alongside the rest of the range.
Will it run for you
Compatibility
- Software
- Autodesk Maya
- Install method
- INSTALL_AS_ImageRef.mel, drag and drop
- Where it lives
- AnimStarter shelf
What animators say
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Vetted
Every plugin on Animworks is checked by our team before it goes live.
Supported
Questions and bug reports go straight to AnimStarter, or email support@anim.works.
Yours to keep
It lands in your downloads the moment you check out, and stays there.
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