A quite handy tool that (partially might) solve your problem is Image Reference from http://scary-monsters.org/Scary_Store/about_reference_image
I use it alot in Zbrush and Modo.
It's 10 GBP but there is a discount http://3d-coat.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10724&hl=reference&fromsearch=1 (making it 6 euros).

There's another tool caled DAG Foreground utility at http://www.digitalartistguild.com/misc/UtilityExplain/UtilityExplain.html
It's workflow is quite the same although it never really worked for me. That being said. it is FREE.

regards
Edwin