Ai Image Generators

AIGC (Artificial Intelligence Generated Content) is a method of content generation based on artificial intelligence technology. As a contemporary buzzword, it has been widely applied in the field of image generation, significantly reducing the barriers to digital drawing creation. Image generation refers to the process of using computer algorithms and models combined with the provided dataset to generate an artwork through computations. When combined with Natural Language Processing (NLP), users only need to input textual descriptions, and the computer can recognize and translate them into information that algorithms can understand, achieving the effect of generating images from text (Text-2-Img).

With the increasing popularity of image generation tools, there are various notable ones available. Below, we will introduce several popular image generation tools:

1. Midjourney

The image generated by inputting "WeWe Futures: 2040 Diversity & Inclusion" into Midjourney (Image Source: Midjourney)
Midjourney Website
Pricing: Ranging from $10 to $60 per month.

Midjourney entered the public testing phase on July 12, 2022, becoming the fastest-growing image generation tool in the world at that time. Unlike other existing tools, Midjourney is integrated into the popular instant messaging platform Discord and operates through bot commands. Users simply input descriptions or provide original images as prompts in the chat window, and the server's AI processes the input to generate corresponding images. Users can also enhance the details of the images or generate variations through Upscale and Variations commands. The overall user experience is convenient and intuitive.

Additionally, Midjourney provides a strong community feature. In its official channel, users can explore the images generated by others along with the associated prompts. This allows users to search for specific styles or content as reference material. Given its large user base, there are also auxiliary tools available online, such as "midjourney prompt helper," to assist users in generating more accurate prompts. However, Midjourney no longer offers free trial services. The pricing plans range from a basic tier of $10 per month to an enterprise tier of $60 per month, allowing users to choose based on their specific usage scenarios.

2. Stable Diffusion

The image generated by using the prompt "WeWe Futures: 2040 Diversity & Inclusion" with Stable Diffusion (Image Source: Stable Diffusion)
Stable Diffusion Website
Price: Free

Stable Diffusion is an open-source image generation tool that was publicly released on August 29, 2022. Users need to download it to their computers or use CPU virtual machines such as Google Colab for computation. One of the key advantages of Stable Diffusion is its stability in generating high-quality images. Even when using different random seeds for generation, it consistently produces stable and high-quality results.

The free and open-source nature of Stable Diffusion is one of the reasons why users appreciate it. By copying the Stable Diffusion source code, users can customize and train the models according to their preferences, enabling them to handle text-to-image tasks and even develop independent applications or services. Additionally, users can download pre-trained LoRA models or ControlNet to expedite the image generation process. However, compared to other image generation tools, Stable Diffusion requires more complex parameter adjustments, and its interface may not be beginner-friendly, necessitating some programming knowledge to operate. For beginners, considering the use of Dreamstudio, which operates on the same engine, may be a more user-friendly option, albeit with a relatively simpler interface.

3. Bing Image creator

The image generated by using the prompt "WeWe Futures: 2040 Diversity & Inclusion" with Bing Image creator (Image Source: Bing creator)
Bing creator Website
Pricing : Free daily quota, exchangeable for points

Bing creator is a service announced by Microsoft on March 21, 2023, as an upgrade to its search engine, Bing. Users can access the Bing creator image generation tool for free by logging in with their Microsoft accounts. The underlying technology used in collaboration is the Dall-e model developed by the renowned artificial intelligence company, OpenAI. Bing creator provides users with a user-friendly interface similar to a search engine, enabling quick image generation and easy integration of the generated images into their own applications or services.

Bing creator operates on a point system for computational resources. Microsoft provides a daily allocation of 25 points, which can be used to expedite the image generation process. Interestingly, users can earn more points through Microsoft Rewards, which includes activities such as exploring artists' styles or discovering new knowledge using the Bing search engine. Users not only gain new insights but also apply them to image generation, adding an educational aspect to the process.

Brief Summary

There are numerous choices available for text-to-image generation (Text-2-Img) on the internet, and this article only presents three popular tools as references. In the near future, these technologies may become part of our daily routine, profoundly transforming our work patterns and processes in areas such as advertising, education, and creativity. Just as the rise of photography impacted the realm of painting, the moment when certain aspects of skills traditionally considered as human expertise are being replaced by machines is expected to become increasingly common in the future. Therefore, it is worthwhile to explore how we can collaborate with these tools and reflect on the value of creators.