From year to year artificial intelligence is becoming more and more accessible. According to open data, about 80% of companies around the world are successfully implementing AI technologies to optimize their activities, and this trend continues to grow.
One of the most common requests on the topic of AI is programs for generating images from words. Nowadays, they greatly simplify the work of specialists in various fields - from design and marketing to business. However, ordinary users are also not averse to touching high technology and practicing creating unique images. But which neural network is suitable specifically for your tasks? Especially for this, we have prepared the TOP best AI for generating pictures, designed for the various needs of users.
How do AI image generators work?
Most neural networks for creating pictures work based on text prompts, or imperative (prompt). Description is the key pillar thanks to which the generation technology “combs” its own visual library and creates a finished image. In short, the whole magic of creating art rests on your imagination and the competent formulation of the prompt (how well the AI will understand the request depends on the quality of the explanation).
Before starting generation, you can also choose style image, its size and model (essentially a program trained on certain data and patterns). Some neural networks have an advanced interface and allow you to edit the final work, combine styles, and even create your own models. The image above shows how much style influences the final result.
Most of the neural networks we reviewed can also generate art from uploaded pictures or photographs, but we will show that it is capable of creating artificial intelligence based on only a small sentence. To check we will use the same query: sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea (Sailor Moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea)
. This will help determine how high-quality results can be produced by similar AIs.
Note: Most neural networks for image generation have an interface only in English, so if you do not speak this language, then just use Google Translator.
Artbreeder
Artbreeder is an online platform that uses generative AI technologies to create and edit images. The site has an unusual interactive look, and the internal interface allows you to create and combine pictures in a variety of styles, and adjust parameters in detail.
Above, we mentioned the original look of the site for a reason: to create and change the parameters of the result, you will have to literally adjust the sliders, some of which can be responsible for how wavy or straight the hair in the image will be, and others - how much something in the finished work can be look like a bird or a wolf. Below you see what we came up with upon request. “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
.
Artbreeder is an interesting performance platform that you can get used to working with if you wish. For free use, users are given 3 credits per month (1 generation will cost only 0.07 internal volutes). PRO tariff features for the end of 2023 start from $8.
Nightcafe
Nightcafe - an accessible and popular resource for generating images, which has a wide interface for editing. Based on the site, you can use models similar to the well-known Stable Diffusion and Dall-E 2. This neural network also has a convenient mobile application and an active community that creates its own unique models for creativity.
The editor on the site has an intuitive interface, but you will still need a little time to master all the tools. After several attempts to create an image on request “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
, we were able to achieve the result shown in the screenshot below. From personal experience, we can say that the neural network requires more detailed prompts, and the resulting options show a problem with faces. At the same time, we note that Nightcafe generates excellent backboards, which have almost no questions.
For free use Nightcafe provides registered users 5 credits per day (must be picked up in the notification window on the website). The platform also has premium features, with prices starting at $5 (plus the site has promotional periods).
RunwayML
RunwayML - an extensive resource with which you can create photo and video materials, generate images and modernize downloaded works. The company is engaged in various research in the field of artificial intelligence technologies.
This platform has a simplified editor through which you can set the style, size, quantity and quality of images + you can always take a look at the training tutorial. To create a picture using our prompt “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
It took quite a few attempts: the problem with faces is still noticeable, and the detailing looks a bit dirty (both on the character and on the background).
On RunwayML, 235 credits are issued one time, and to generate a pack of 4 pictures, the resource uses 5 of them. There are no one-time top-ups, which means that after the credits run out, the only option is to buy a subscription. The cheapest premium plan starts at $12 per month (if purchased for a year).
Starry AI
Starry AI — a simple resource for generating art. The platform has the simplest possible editor, and is also capable of prompting the user which prompt is best suited for the correct result. Starry developers are actively developing their product, so the neural network is constantly being upgraded, adding new functions.
Another attractive advantage is that with the help of this AI you can create illustrations based on 1000 different styles. However, their models (Altair and Orion) are not top-end, and the finished results do not differ in quality and correct anatomy. Below you can see the result of our generation “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
— the pictures came out nice, but it took a little time.
Starry AI issues 5 credits to its users daily. Premium features and additional credit purchases start at $12 and up. The platform has a mobile application for iOS and Android.
Dall-E 2
Dall-E is one of the most popular platforms, with its own unique models of the same name. Developers are constantly developing the neural network, improving programs for generating high-quality art. Dall-E is more than just an artificial intelligence tool for creating images - it is a professional tool, recognized for its high detail and incredible quality of the resulting images, combined with ease of use.
We tested the capabilities of the Dall-E 2 model by loading our own prompt: “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
. From the results shown below, we can conclude that the neural network is able to understand ordinary conversational style, and the final generations have almost no flaws on the first try. Pay attention to one more advantage: the resulting pictures are made in completely different styles, but are the result of one generation of 4 pieces of art. The editor has a clear interface, and the resulting images can be modified.
Since Dall-E has been in beta testing for a long time, and the generation results are not protected by copyright and are actively used for commercial purposes, the resource does not have a free plan. On your personal page you can top up your credit balance: 115 credits are issued for $15. Also keep in mind that the service does not operate in sanctioned countries.
Midjourney
Midjourney is perhaps the most popular neural network in the world. For the third year now, the resource has held a leading position and has about 15 million users, and the constant online presence does not fall below 6.5% of the entire audience (i.e. more than 1 million people). Midjourney has a number of significant advantages in its arsenal: the creation of high-quality and detailed images, finely tuned control of generation, ratio, dispersion, styles and filters.
The results we received for the request “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
They differ from many competitors in their high resolution, original design and unusual approach to the implementation of a given text. Midjourney does not have the easiest interface, and generation is only available through a server in Discord. But after spending some time learning, you will discover many unique capabilities of a neural network trained to understand the most complex queries.
Like its direct competitor, Dall-E, a neural network from Midjourney stopped access to free services and offers subscriptions starting at $8. You will also need a Discord account to work with this AI.
Playground AI
Playground AI is one of the best analogues to expensive competitors, which can pleasantly surprise users with simple interactive tools, level of performance and expert control over the image creation process. The neural network offers one of the top models of the latest generation, Stable Diffusion, and an attractive tariff for free use.
We also loaded a prompt into the editor “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
, and the results were quite impressive: the picture has a pleasant anatomy, a well-developed background and logical details. We decided to show you the work in two styles, since the realistic art turned out to be very decent, although far from the character’s image (this could be improved). No less pleasant was the interaction with the system of animated tips in the editor, which can greatly help beginners.
One of the main advantages of Playground AI is ability to create 500 free art per day. The site also has plans with premium features, starting at $12 per month.
Bing AI Image Creator
Bing AI Image Creator - a kind of loophole for those who want to try out the capabilities of the Dall-E neural network. Microsoft has launched a simplified editor with artificial intelligence for users of its Bing browser, the main advantage of which is the built-in Dall-E 3 model, an improved version of its paid predecessor.
At our request “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
The neural network produced, perhaps, the most canonical image of the character that corresponded to the task at hand. The art came out colorful and detailed, the heroine has unexpectedly neat hands (and this is one of the main problems of many AIs) and even the smallest details have been worked out. It is worth mentioning that you will not be able to adjust either the size or style of the picture. Bing AI Image Creator works only based on text descriptions, but the quality of execution eliminates these nuances, and you can also add a style to the prompt line.
Bing AI Image Creator is the only one completely free neural network in our top. All you need to do is authorize your Microsoft account. Every day you can create more than 100 pieces of art, and the end of credits only affects the generation speed. The only caveat: in sanctioned countries the resource works only through VPN.
Lexica
Lexica - another simple neural network with a simplified settings system. It works on text queries and is able to offer ideas for generation + you can indicate something that definitely should not be in the picture (negative prompt). This is a great option for beginners with zero knowledge. Lexica has a clear, simple user interface and fast execution speed.
Our generation results on request “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
They left a pleasant impression, the pictures turned out picturesque and varied. Interestingly, the neural network produced many dissimilar pieces of art with impressive backdrops. They cannot be called complete, but from the point of view of the average user this is an incredible result.
Authorized users can create up to 16 free images per day, and no more than 100 per month. Monthly subscription to a pro account starts at $8.
Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI is one of the most worthy representatives of the relatively free segment of neural networks. A distinctive feature of the resource is the scope for creativity, with the help of which advanced users can train and upload their own models into the editor. Leonardo AI opens up space for experimentation with different modes, tips and models.
Our generation results on request “sailor moon stands near a cafe and drinks bubble tea”
turned out to be one of the most impressive. The creation took a little more than the desired time, and we slightly supplemented the request with clarifications, besides, the result greatly depends on the fineness of the settings and the correct choice of model and style. But what we got are high-quality illustrations with crisp resolution.
The platform gives users 150 credits daily (which is enough to get the desired result) and limits some premium features. Prices for a paid plan start at $10.
Let's sum it up
Thus, we advise professional artists and art designers to use Dall-E 2 or Midjourney, which, with the proper level of development and proper configuration, are capable of producing the most accurate results for selected queries. Regular users who just want to get acquainted with neural networks for generating images should take a closer look at the completely free Bing AI Image Creator or shareware Leonardo AI.
Afterword
There is a lot of controversy in the Internet community regarding the use of neural networks. Most of them are due to a number of prejudices based on stereotypes and harmful content created by some unscrupulous users. Others are outraged by why the works of real artists are used to train artificial intelligence models, and the authors themselves often file lawsuits.
However, AI remains primarily just a supporting tool that helps make your work easier. In addition, some resources train their models only on licensed or publicly available content.
Remember that not every neural network provides users with copyrights for created materials, and when choosing a platform, pay attention to the following features:
- Ease of use;
- Image generation speed;
- Prices and benefits of services in paid tariffs;
- The quality of processing of your text requests;
- Functions for editing finished works.
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