There was a time when there were only two methods to obtain high-quality artwork: learning how to use a visual creation tool (often requiring payment) or hiring a graphic designer. However, the landscape has changed with the advent of consumer artificial intelligence, making image generation accessible to everyone. If you’re unaware of this development, it’s not too late to catch up! This article introduces you to the top free AI-powered image generators.
Summary:
- What is an artificial intelligence image generator?
- The 5 Best Artificial Intelligence Image Generators:
- Midjourney
- DALL.E 2
- Craiyon
- Stable Diffusion
- NightCafe
- Concluding thoughts on AI image generators
What is an artificial intelligence image generator? An AI image generator is a tool that utilizes machine learning to produce visuals. The generated images can range from realistic to artistic, depending on the capabilities of the tool. To generate an image, the user provides a textual description, and the generator uses its stored data to create a visual representation based on the description. This sets it apart from a mere image bank, which offers pre-existing photos and graphics.
Hence, we can better understand why text-to-image converters have generated such enthusiasm. Some use them for everyday needs like creating wallpapers or sharing illustrations on social networks, while others view them as valuable professional tools. For instance, AI can assist graphic artists, designers, illustrators, and other creative professionals in finding inspiration for their projects. The impressive results produced by these AIs have led some to worry about the potential disappearance of certain professions in the future…”
The 5 Best Artificial Intelligence Image Generators
1. Midjourney
Midjourney is undeniably one of the most popular tools for text-to-image conversion, and for good reason—it allows users to obtain high-quality illustrations. Many artists, webmasters, and marketing professionals rely on it regularly. Despite the impressive performance of the AI used by Midjourney, it is important to note that a team of about a dozen people is behind this project.
However, it’s worth mentioning that Midjourney is not the most user-friendly tool. To utilize it, users must have a Discord account since image creation is carried out through that platform. The generator lacks its own interface, which can significantly impact the user experience. For more information, you can refer to our dedicated article on how to use Midjourney.
Additionally, it’s important to highlight that the free version of this text-to-image converter has limitations. Users are restricted to 25 credits, which translates to a total of 100 generated images (with 4 images generated per request). If you require more content, you’ll either need to pay or explore alternative tools mentioned bel
2. DALL.E 2
As the name suggests, DALL·E 2 is the latest version of the DALL·E image generator developed by OpenAI. The company, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, surprised the public by announcing the official launch of DALL·E 2 in late September 2022. Since then, its user base has continued to grow, which is not surprising given the impressive capabilities of this AI.
Using DALL·E 2 is straightforward. Start by creating a free account, and you also have the option to sign in using your Google or Microsoft account. Once you’re signed in, simply provide a precise description of the image you want and click on “Generate” to see the result. By default, four images will be presented to you. You can then request the AI to modify them according to your requirements. It’s worth noting that the rendering may vary depending on the terms used in the description. For instance, a description containing the term “oil painting” will yield a different result compared to one containing the term “realistic picture.”
3. Craiyon
If you closely follow AI news, you may recall Craiyon’s previous name: DALL-E Mini. In essence, Craiyon is the free and public version of the OpenAI generator. However, it should be noted that Craiyon may be less suitable for producing highly realistic images. Nevertheless, this limitation can be seen as a blessing in disguise, as it allows for more creative results.
Craiyon is also generous in terms of the number of images it generates per request, providing 9 visuals by default. However, it’s important to note that the images produced cannot be modified or improved afterward. Considering that Craiyon is a completely free AI image generator, this limitation is to be expected.
4. Stable Diffusion
In contrast to Midjourney and DALL·E 2, Stable Diffusion operates on an open-source algorithm. This means that the source code used for its functioning is accessible to everyone. The program has been trained on a dataset of 5 billion images paired with textual descriptions, enabling it to generate images from simple descriptions. It is capable of creating realistic photographs and digital artworks within seconds. Moreover, these generated images are typically free from copyright restrictions as they belong to the public domain. However, since Stable Diffusion used private images during its training, the specific limits of use are somewhat unclear and may vary depending on the jurisdiction.
Nonetheless, Stable Diffusion remains an excellent means of obtaining high-quality visuals from simple descriptions, and the best part is that it offers unlimited u
5. NightCafe
NightCafe is another noteworthy AI image generator worth exploring. The tool currently utilizes four algorithms for its operations: Neural Style Transfer, VQGAN+CLIP, CLIP-Guided Diffusion, and Real-ESRGAN. The inclusion of Real-ESRGAN enhances the quality and relevance of the generated images. It’s important to note that you have the freedom to use the visual creations produced by NightCafe as long as they are not modified versions of existing artworks. In the case of creating an alternate version of a Picasso painting, for example, you must possess the rights to the original asset.
Another limitation of NightCafe is that you can generate a maximum of 28 free images per day. However, this still provides a reasonable operating margin at no cost. One of the significant strengths of this AI-based tool lies in the variety of styles it offers. For each image description, you can explore different artistic universes in which your creation can come to life. From horror to post-apocalyptic, psychedelic to black and white, 3D to fantasy, cubic to oil painting, the possibilities are almost limitless. As a bonus, NightCafe offers a free app that can be downloaded on Android and iOS devices.
To conclude on AI image generators
Indeed, AI-based image creation tools have been experiencing significant advancements in recent times. However, this progress is not limited to graphic design alone. Artificial intelligence has made notable strides in various mainstream domains, including copywriting, as exemplified by the emergence of ChatGPT.
Moreover, major tech players like Google and Meta are actively involved in developing AI systems capable of generating videos. Projects such as Imagen Video and Make-a-video are indicative of the ongoing efforts in this area. It is clear that artificially simulated intelligence continues to be a prominent and evolving field. As new breakthroughs occur, we will keep you updated on the latest advancements in this exciting domain!
