Take on the role of a food designer or a photo artist, create an image that is exactly what you need, play with the shape of a square or ease the routine work of a designer – all this has become possible with Midjourney. This neural network has become so popular that it is no longer free. But a paid subscription is justified if AI is needed for work. However, the cost of the subscription allows for the use of Midjourney for entertainment/hobbies as well.
Learn how to use Midjourney, how to get the AI to produce an image in the right style, and with which settings to work – read about it in this article.
How to Access Midjourney
Midjourney – a neural network developed by the eponymous American company. In 2022, the bot’s beta version became available to all users, but the AI’s capabilities began to be used for not very good purposes (fakes – that’s bad). Therefore, in 2023, the developers removed free access, leaving only a subscription – $10 for 200 generations per month or $30 for unlimited monthly use.
Midjourney is designed to generate images from text descriptions. In fact, in addition to descriptions, a host of parameters must be entered, but it is not difficult to figure out, and thanks to the clarifications, you can get a worthy picture from the first generation.
But first – how to start using Midjourney. The first thing required is to register with Discord (a service for gamers). The service is free, and the registration is standard. The next steps are as follows:
- Launch Discord (on the website or application).
- Log in to your account.
- Follow the link to the server with Midjourney.
- Select a Newbie chat – there are several, but all chats with this name are intended for users who are creating images.
- Open the chat and start working with the command /imagine.
- In the Prompt window, enter the text for the picture.
- Accept the service terms.
- Receive a collage from the generated images.
- Choose one and continue working/continue generating with it.
There is also an alternative method – for those who want to work with the bot one-on-one. You can create your own server on Discord and add the bot there.
Parameter Settings
Now, on how to configure Midjourney, how to use the neural network. So, you need the Newbie channel. You opened it – the bot is ready to work, and the interface looks like a typical messenger. Start with the settings:
- Send the /settings command to call up the parameter window.
- Select an engine in the window. It could be MJ Test – the neural network will create two images. Or MJ 4 – the latest version, generating four pictures. If you need photorealism of the images – choose MJ Test Photo.
- Determine the styling level. Do not choose high levels, as the result might become too far from the request. However, if maximum creativity is needed – you can try it.
- Set up the algorithms for enlarging the picture. The higher the resolution, the fewer details, keep this in mind. If you need the maximum size, enable Beta mode, but its performance is unstable.
- To combine the picture, enable Remix mode.
The images saved by the user can be viewed in a separate chat window. For this, click the “Mail” - “Mentions” button.
Generating an Image From a Description
The main thing about how to use Midjourney’s AI - composing the correct request. In short, the request should be formulated as if for a not too smart foreigner who does not know your language well.
That means:
- no abstract descriptions;
- formulation of the request – concise, precise, detailed;
- when using existing locations (streets, parks) write specific names;
- avoid prepositions, “negating” and “excluding” particles – “bad mood” instead of “not in the mood”;
- complex requests should be divided into parts, using commas or colons;
- colons are used to separate commands for the algorithm, style, and the main objects of the request;
- use nouns in the singular or indicate specific numbers – “5 oranges” instead of “several oranges.”
For the most accurate generation result, you can use commands when composing a request. For example, to get a detailed picture, enter the command “wallpaper.” If you work with stylizations, you can indicate the level of image matching a certain style – use the command “s” for this.
How to Combine Images
The neural network can generate hundreds of pictures, but often the creation of the desired image requires combining two already existing ones. To “cross” two versions, do the following:
- Open a new chat.
- Enter the command /settings.
- Enable Remix mode.
- Provide links to the required images.
To add a text description, go to the settings and activate version v4.
How to Correctly Formulate a Request
We’ve already discussed the general recommendations for requests. But there are a few more points to know.
Prohibited Generations
Few of those looking for how to use Midjourney in DC take into account the AI usage rules. And in vain – a user who actively uses prohibited words in requests might get banned.
Users themselves form the list of prohibited words. Traditionally, the list includes intimate body parts and everything from the 18+ category (sex, fetish, violence, cruelty, etc.). When formulating a request, consider the restrictions.
Sequence
When composing a request, follow this order:
- Description of the object or objects. For example – “a glass of water standing on a table.”
- Additional parameters – the glass is glass, the table is stone with carving.
- Short commands describing the type of lighting, level of detail, etc.
Clarifying Words
- To obtain a photorealistic image, add the words “photorealistic” or “ultrarealistic” to the request.
- If you need advertising photography – add the words “promotional photo.”
- You can also specify the type of lighting in the picture, for example, “RTX.”
- For a painting in the style of a particular artist, add “by (artist’s name)” to the description.
To determine the importance of each object, “weight” is added to the description. That is, composing a request “a beautiful blonde drinking wine by the fireplace,” you can emphasize the blonde, the wine, or the fireplace by assigning a corresponding weight. This is simple – after each word, put a double colon and a number from 10 to 100. The numerical value is proportional to the priority. Without such additions, all objects in the image are considered equal in value.
Free Use of AI
How to use Midjourney for free? Until 2023, free access, even to a limited number of generations, was provided to all. But as of March 2023, developers announced the end of free use of the neural network.
Use in Russia
Considering the events of 2022-2023, many are interested in how to use Midjourney in Russia. Access to AI via Discord is not blocked. But the ability to pay for the subscription, without which working with the neural network is impossible, is blocked.
The solution to the problem:
- a virtual international card;
- intermediary services;
- obtaining a plastic card from a foreign bank.
You can also pay for the subscription through the Google Play or Apple Store markets.
