The rise of AI image tools has shattered the boundaries of digital art and design.
What once required hours of painstaking work by skilled artists can now be accomplished in mere moments. This seismic shift hasn't just sped up the creative process – it's democratised it.
Small businesses, indie creators, and hobbyists now have access to design capabilities that were once the exclusive domain of high-budget studios and agencies.
But speed and accessibility are just the beginning. These AI image generators have opened up a whole new realm of experimentation.
Designers - from creative to industrial - are now free to rapidly iterate works through countless variations, enabling them to test fringe ideas or explore wild concepts that can push the boundaries of their respective industries.
In recognition of the work AI image creators can bring to businesses, AI Magazine takes a look at 10 of the top platforms that can currently be utilised for a myriad of purposes.
10. Craiyon
Craiyon, originally known as DALL-E mini, is an open-source alternative that provides users with unlimited access to image generation. While the quality of the outputs may not match those of more advanced generators, Craiyon allows users to refine their prompts until they achieve the desired results. It generates nine images per prompt, offering more options than most other generators. Although the rendering time is slightly longer, users appreciate the flexibility to experiment with different prompts and the inclusion of "negative words" to refine their requests.
9. NightCafe
NightCafe stands out as a versatile and community-driven AI image generator. Initially built on custom models, it now incorporates Stable Diffusion-based models, DALL-E 3, and Ideogram. NightCafe offers unique features such as model fine-tuning, image animation using Stable Video Diffusion, and image upscaling. Its vibrant community, regular competitions, and creator jams foster creativity and engagement. The platform's flexible credit system allows users to purchase credits as needed, rather than committing to fixed monthly payments. While the user interface can be initially overwhelming, NightCafe's diverse capabilities and supportive community make it a compelling choice for AI image generation enthusiasts.
8. Generative AI
Generative AI by Getty Images addresses the copyright concerns often associated with AI image generation. This platform generates images using content exclusively from Getty Images' extensive library, providing users with commercially safe options. The service includes a contributor compensation programme, ensuring that artists whose work informs the AI model are recognised and compensated. This makes Generative AI by Getty Images an attractive choice for businesses seeking tailored stock photos without the risk of copyright infringement.
7. Adobe Firefly
Adobe Firefly is designed for users who wish to create images based on specific reference photos. It features unique tools such as Structure Reference and Style Reference, allowing users to input existing images as templates for new creations. This capability is particularly beneficial for maintaining consistency in branding or artistic style. The generator produces high-quality, detailed images and is accessible through a straightforward web interface. Adobe Firefly is built on a foundation of openly licensed content, ensuring that all generated images are safe for commercial use.
6. Midjourney
Midjourney is celebrated for producing exceptionally high-quality images that often resemble photographs. The generator is known for its clarity and detail, making it a popular choice for artists and creators seeking realistic outputs. However, it can be challenging for new users due to its complex setup and reliance on Discord for access. Despite these hurdles, many users find the quality of the images produced to be worth the effort, with some even achieving award-winning results through the platform.
5. DreamStudio
Stability AI's DreamStudio, powered by Stable Diffusion, offers extensive customisation for AI image generation. It provides free credits and affordable options, with features like adjustable image size, prompt adherence, and diffusion steps. Users can select algorithm versions and use specific seeds for repeatable results. While it has a steeper learning curve, its open-source nature allows for local running and model fine-tuning. DreamStudio uses a credit system, with 25 free credits upon sign-up and additional credits available for purchase. For those who exhaust their credits, Clipdrop offers free access to Stable Diffusion models, albeit with watermarks and less control.
4. Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI is an excellent choice for AI creatives on a budget, offering a comprehensive free plan that provides ample generation credits at a fast speed. While it lacks free post-generation editing tools, it compensates with a prompt improvement tool and other customisation elements that guide users in crafting optimal prompts. Leonardo makes it easy to explore the possibilities of AI and create vivid, detailed images, making its free plan significantly more appealing than competitors, including the user-friendly Canva.
3. Imagen 2
Imagen 2 in Gemini, formerly known as Google Bard, is an excellent option for Google users. This AI image generator produces high-quality, realistic images, even for complex subjects like hands. It operates within the Gemini chat interface, allowing users to generate images while maintaining context in their conversations. This feature reduces the need to switch between different platforms for text and image generation. Unlike DALL-E, Imagen 2 generates four images simultaneously, maximising the output from a single prompt. The user interface is designed to be familiar to Google users, incorporating elements from Google Search, such as a verification icon and clickable links for additional context.
2. DALL-E 3
OpenAI's DALL-E 3 is renowned for its ability to create original and high-quality images, continuing the legacy of its predecessor, DALL-E 2. Users can access DALL-E 3 via the ChatGPT platform, where they can enter detailed prompts to generate one or two images that closely match their requests. Both the chatbot function and image generation function are on the same platform, making it convenient to work on projects that depend on image and text generation.
The tool has been enhanced with new editing features, allowing users to make adjustments through conversational prompts and by clicking on specific parts of the generated images. This integration facilitates a seamless workflow for projects that require both text and image outputs, making it a powerful choice for creators seeking realistic and visually appealing results.
1. Microsoft Designer's Image Creator
Microsoft Designer's Image Creator, formerly known as Bing Image Creator, is a leading AI image generator. Powered by DALL-E 3, OpenAI's most advanced model, it produces high-quality images comparable to its predecessor. Users can access this tool for free by signing in with a Microsoft account, which can be easily created if needed. A significant advantage is its integration with Microsoft's AI chatbot, Copilot, allowing users to generate images through conversational prompts.
This means that in addition to visiting Image Creator on its standalone site, you can ask it to generate images for you in Copilot. To render an image, all you have to do is conversationally ask Copilot to draw you any image you'd like. This functionality is particularly useful for tasks requiring both text and image generation, such as event planning, where users can request thematic images directly within the chat interface. The platform generates four images per prompt, providing multiple options for users.
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