Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made significant advancements in recent years and has contributed to the development of several tools for designers. Three text-to-image models have stood out in the ongoing generative AI storm: Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and DALL-E-2. All these models are trained on very large sets of images and are able to generate images based on a description in a text prompt. In this article we uncover the differences between these tools and suggest the most suitable scenarios for their application. Lets’s take a quick look at these tools and their strengths and weaknesses.
Stable Diffusion
Stable Diffusion is an open-source image generator that can be run locally on a computer. This means that users have more control, better customization options, and can build their own AI tools using the deep learning text-to-image model. Stable Diffusion is also accessible through a range of tools and companies that have emerged to provide direct access to the platform from web browsers. Lexica, for example, is a search aggregator and generator built on Stable Diffusion. There are also other similar tools that are based on Stable diffusion, such as Invoke, DiffusionBee, Playground and Leonardo.
One of the primary advantages of Stable Diffusion is that it is great for designers who are on a tight budget. There are numerous ways to access the platform for free, including SD Replicate. Stable Diffusion also offers intensive customization options that allow users to train it with their own models and push the limits of their imagination. Custom models, like Aperture, have been specifically trained on humans and stock images, producing superior results to competing AI-generation tools. Stable Diffusion also offers outpainting: generating an image that extends beyond the boundaries of the original image. Outpainting uses machine learning models to generate new content that seamlessly blends with the existing image, creating the illusion of a larger image.
Prompt: A super cute teacup dog, showing his head, smiling happily, the dog is fluffy, flower white, the teacup is flower pot style, ceramic material, clean background solid color, super delicate image quality, pixar style, super delicate details, shiny snow white fluffy, 16k, ultra clear. Model: Lexica Aperture v2
Prompt: One single stand alone huge hyperdetailed minimalist home, at with sun & ray lights, near the sea on top of a cliff. maximalist unexpected elements. free sky in plain natural warm tones. 8 x 1 6 k hd mixed media 3 d collage in the style of a childrenbook illustration in pastel tones. matte matte background. no frame hd Model: Lexica Aperture v2
Midjourney
Midjourney is a text-to-image model that is great at generating artistic images, similar to those created by an artist or a specific style. Although it is not open source like Stable Diffusion, Midjourney is an extremely powerful tool. Midjourney also allows users to view the incredible generations of images created by other users in the community.
Designers can not train their own models like in Stable Diffusion, and it is a bit harder to exactly control the output through prompts and input images. However, the tool is straightforward to use, and even advanced features are easy to access and understand. The Midjourney Discord server offers extensive support, instructions, and settings. The pricing for more generations is also highly affordable, starting at just $8 per month.
Prompt: Beautiful flamboyant Japanese Bollywood goddess, cyan blue circle on face, Lensed by Tim Walker, and painted by Hanna Yata, directed by Alphonse Mucha, details and composition by Julie Bell,
Prompt: Woman made of smoke and mist by tran nguyen and peter mohrbacher and nick knight
DALL-E 2
DALL-E-2 is a text-to-image model that focuses on photorealistic images. Although it lacks customization and advanced features, it has an API, allowing users to start experimenting with the platform immediately. DALL-E-2 has the best generation of photorealistic images out of the three models discussed. Its prompts tend to be less complicated than the other models, making it an excellent tool for users who require high-quality photorealistic images. DALL-E offers outpainting, just like Stable Diffusion.
Prompt: teddy bears working on new AI research on the moon in the 1980s
Prompt: Photo of hip hop cow in a denim jacket recording a hit single in the studio
Conclusion
Choosing the right AI-image generator can significantly impact the quality of a designer’s work. Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and DALL-E-2 are three of the top AI-image generators on the market, with each having its strengths. Stable Diffusion is an excellent choice for opensource enthousiasts and users on a tight budget who require extensive customization options, while Midjourney is great for designers looking to create artistic images. DALL-E-2 is the ideal tool for designers who require high-quality photorealistic images.Regardless of the platform, designers need to have a clear prompt and a solid idea of what they want to achieve to receive optimal results. Ultimately, designers need to experiment with each tool to determine which one fits best for the task at hand.
