Managing your digital presence costs time and resources. In particular, creating or sourcing images is one thing you’ll have to do. Whether you’re posting on social media, writing blog articles, or building an email newsletter campaign, images are essential. One way to save time and resources on image generation is to use AI Image Generation software.
What is AI Image Generative Software?
This technology enables computers to generate visual content, such as pictures, illustrations, or graphic designs, without direct human input for each element.
Unlike traditional graphic design tools where users manually craft images, AI image generative software can autonomously produce visuals based on patterns, styles, or criteria it has learned.
The underlying mechanisms often involve deep learning models, a subset of machine learning, which learn from vast datasets to understand patterns and features in visual data. These models can then generate new, unique images by extrapolating from their learned knowledge.
In other words, with a simple instruction for you, AI can generate an image based on your instruction and its previous learning experiences.
Why Use AI to Generate Images:
- Efficiency and Time Savings: Traditional image creation can be a time-consuming process, involving meticulous design, iteration, and fine-tuning. AI streamlines this by swiftly producing images based on your inputs, saving valuable time and resources
- Infinite Creative Possibilities: AI models like ChatGPT possess the ability to think outside conventional boundaries. They can combine diverse concepts and styles, offering a fresh perspective that might not be readily apparent through traditional artistic methods
- Inspiration and Idea Generation: AI-generated images can serve as a wellspring of inspiration. By providing a visual starting point, these images can kickstart your creativity and spark ideas that might have remained dormant otherwise
List of Best AI Image Generative Software
Some of the best AI Image Generative Software’s include:
- Midjourney: best all-around AI image generator
- DALL-E by OpenAI (now through ChatGPT-4): great at generating photorealistic images, but not so good at graphic design style, clipart style, or logos
- Deep Dream Generator: Offers a surreal and dreamlike image generation style with a user-friendly interface for easy experimentation
- RunwayML: Offers video to video generation, text or image to video generation, text to image generation, image to image generation, and text to speech generation
- Artbreeder: Specialises in characters and artworks, and offers three different types of image generation – patterns (combining a pattern and description to make an image), tuner (change specific parts of an image), and mixer (create by mixing images and text together)
- PaintsChainer: This software allows you to upload a sketch and add colour to the sketch in seconds
- DeepArt Effects: Edit photos in various ways, for example, turn your photos into sketches, pencil drawings or oil on canvas
- This Person Does Not Exist: This AI is more for fun. It generates an image of a person that doesn’t actually exist every time you reload the page
Pros & Cons of Each AI Image Generative Software
AI Image Generative Software | Pros | Cons |
Midjourney | 1. Unique and creative image generation. 2. Customisation options for diverse visual outputs. | 1. Learning curve for new users. 2. Platform-specific features may limit usage. |
DALL-E by OpenAI (ChatGPT-4) | 1. Powered by state-of-the-art AI models. 2. Capable of generating diverse and high-quality images. | 1. Limited public access. 2. Resource-intensive, requires robust computing power. |
Deep Dream Generator | 1. Offers a surreal and dreamlike image generation style. 2. User-friendly interface for easy experimentation. | 1. Limited style variations compared to other tools. 2. May produce results that are too abstract for certain use cases. |
RunwayML | 1. Versatile platform supporting various AI models. 2. User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality. | 1. Some models may require a subscription. 2. Free version may have limitations on certain features. |
Artbreeder | 1. Allows users to blend and manipulate images easily. 2. Robust community and sharing features for collaboration. | 1. Free version may have limitations on export resolution. 2. Learning curve for achieving specific artistic goals. |
PaintsChainer (Colorising) | 1. Specialised in automatic colorisation of sketches. 2. Provides a unique and specific feature set. | 1. Limited scope for general-purpose image generation. 2. Interface may be less intuitive for some users. |
DeepArt Effects | 1. Diverse style options for artistic image effects. 2. Quick and accessible platform for image enhancement. | 1. Free version may have restrictions on image resolution. 2. Advanced features may require a subscription. |
This Person Does Not Exist | 1. Fun and intriguing concept generating realistic fake faces. 2. Quick and easy to use with no customisation required. | 1. Limited to generating faces; not suitable for diverse image generation. 2. Lack of customisation options for specific features. |
How to Generate an Image Using ChatGPT
Step 1: Access ChatGPT
Begin by accessing ChatGPT through the OpenAI platform or API. You’ll need to subscribe and purchase ChatGPT-4 to be able to use image generation.
Step 2: Input Clear Instructions
Craft clear and concise instructions for ChatGPT to understand your vision. Specify key details such as the subject, style, colour palette, or any other relevant parameters.
Not sure where to start with your prompt? You can use ChatGPT to create prompts for your images, and then use those prompts to create images.
Here’s how you can develop your prompts through ChatGPT:
Step 3: Iterative Refinement:
AI-generated images might not be perfect on the first attempt. Engage in an iterative process, refining your instructions based on the initial outputs provided by ChatGPT. This collaborative approach ensures that the model aligns better with your creative vision.
Step 4: Experiment with Prompts:
Experiment with different prompts and inputs to explore a spectrum of possibilities. ChatGPT responds to diverse cues in different ways. The key to mastering ChatGPT is to practice, as simple as that may sound.
So, What’s Next?
As technology continues to redefine creative boundaries, leveraging AI for image generation stands out as a powerful tool for artists, designers, and creators.
Beyond image generation, you can use AI to upgrade your entire Content Marketing efforts.