How to Use DALL-E 2 to Generate Images & A.I. Art

Aaron Rutten
19 Dec 202210:25

TLDRThis tutorial offers a comprehensive guide on using DALL-E 2, an AI image generator, to create unique images. The process begins with signing up for a free account, which stores generated images and allows for credit purchases if needed. The AI generates multiple image variations based on a text prompt, with careful wording to avoid generating inappropriate or copyrighted content. Users can refine prompts to achieve desired results, with an average of three to five credits spent per usable image. The video also covers how to use art styles, colors, and other properties to guide the AI, as well as how to manage and edit generated images, including the outpainting feature for expanding images and post-generation editing in Photoshop. The tutorial concludes with a discussion on the legal use of generated images, suggesting that while they are in the public domain, they may require further editing for commercial use.

Takeaways

  • 📝 Sign up for a free account on DALL-E to generate images, which also stores your creations.
  • 💳 No payment is required unless purchasing credits for more images beyond the free allowance.
  • 💡 Use descriptive but succinct text prompts to generate images, avoiding inappropriate or copyrighted content.
  • 🎨 Specify the style of art you want, such as 'digital art', to guide DALL-E in generating the desired type of image.
  • 🔍 You may need to refine your text prompt several times to get a satisfactory result, which could use up to five credits.
  • 🚫 DALL-E will not generate images that are inappropriate, such as graphic violence or pornography.
  • 💡 To get closer to your desired image, use the 'variations' button, which costs an additional credit per attempt.
  • 📂 Your generated images are saved in your DALL-E account and can be downloaded or shared, with the date and text prompt included by default.
  • 📚 Build a history of generated images and organize them into collections for easy management and retrieval.
  • 🖼️ Use the 'outpainting' feature to expand images by adding to the edges or replacing areas, which costs a credit each time.
  • ✅ Edit and refine the generated images using photo editing software like Photoshop for better results.
  • 📜 Legally, the generated images are public domain, but should not be misrepresented as solely human-made and may have limitations for commercial use.

Q & A

  • How do you generate images using DALL-E 2?

    -To generate images using DALL-E 2, you enter a text prompt that describes the image you'd like to see. The system then presents you with several variations of the image based on your prompt.

  • Is it necessary to provide payment information to use DALL-E 2?

    -No, you do not need to provide payment information to use DALL-E 2. However, if you wish to generate more images than the free account allows, you may need to purchase credits.

  • What is the cost of using DALL-E 2 beyond the free credit limit?

    -As of the time of the video, each credit costs about 10 cents, and you get a series of four images per credit.

  • How should one refine the text prompt to get better results from DALL-E 2?

    -To refine the text prompt, be descriptive but succinct, and consider the scope of what can be generated. Avoid generating images that are not allowed, such as graphic violence or copyrighted material, and be prepared to modify the prompt to achieve the desired result.

  • Can you specify the style of art you want when using DALL-E 2?

    -Yes, you can specify the style of art by adding descriptors to your text prompt. DALL-E 2 supports various art styles and genres, including styles based on public domain artists like Van Gogh or Salvador Dali.

  • What are some properties you can specify for your image in DALL-E 2?

    -You can specify colors, lighting, environments, backgrounds, and other properties for your image to guide DALL-E 2 in generating the desired outcome.

  • What happens if you generate an image that has mistakes or doesn't meet your expectations?

    -If an image has mistakes or doesn't meet your expectations, you can either submit the text prompt again, or select the closest match and use the 'variations' button to generate another set of four iterations based on the original image.

  • How can you manage the history of images generated using DALL-E 2?

    -You can manage the history of generated images by periodically looking through the chronologically listed images, adding your favorites to collections, and removing rejects to make it easier to locate good images.

  • What is the outpainting feature in DALL-E 2 and how does it work?

    -The outpainting feature in DALL-E 2 allows you to expand the edges of an image or replace areas within it. You can add to the edges or erase and regenerate parts of the image, which costs a credit each time you click generate.

  • How can you legally use the images generated by DALL-E 2?

    -According to the terms of service, images generated by DALL-E 2 are in the public domain. You may not misrepresent that these images were made entirely by a human, but they are free to use commercially or otherwise. However, it is recommended to clean up these images and refine them before using them for commercial purposes.

  • What is the recommended approach to using AI-generated images for commercial purposes?

    -For commercial use, it is advised not to use the images as they are due to potential flaws and the fact that others can generate similar images. Instead, you should clean up the images, fix mistakes, and possibly elaborate on the idea to complete it. These generated images are considered rough concepts, not finished products.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to AI Image Generation with Dolly

The video begins with an introduction to Dolly, an AI-powered image generator that is user-friendly and allows users to create images from text prompts. It emphasizes the ease of use, the free account sign-up process, and the option to purchase credits for more images. The tutorial explains the limitations of the technology, such as the inability to generate certain types of images and the need to refine prompts for better results. It also discusses the cost-effectiveness of credits and the importance of being cautious with the use of free credits. The video provides a step-by-step guide on how to generate an image, including the use of descriptors to guide the AI in the desired direction and the option to choose from various art styles and genres. It also highlights the common mistakes in the generated images and the possibility to download and share them.

05:00

📚 Managing and Editing Generated Images

This paragraph delves into managing the generated images through collections and the ability to expand images using the outpainting feature. It explains how to edit images to correct mistakes or unwanted elements and how to merge objects or characters into the scene. The video demonstrates the use of Photoshop for further refinement, including object selection, cloning, and healing tools to improve the final image. It also addresses the legal aspect of using generated images, stating that they are in the public domain but cautions against misrepresenting them as solely human-made. The video suggests using the images as rough concepts or inspiration for handmade artwork and advises further editing for commercial use.

10:01

📣 Conclusion and Further Resources

The video concludes with a summary of the process for using Dolly to generate AI art and encourages viewers to explore more videos on the subject. It reiterates the potential of AI-generated art and provides a final reminder to the audience about the importance of understanding the capabilities and limitations of the technology.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡DALL-E 2

DALL-E 2 is an advanced AI image generation system that uses text prompts to create images. It is a tool that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to generate a wide range of images based on the user's description. In the video, it is the central technology being discussed and demonstrated for generating AI art.

💡Text Prompt

A text prompt is a descriptive input provided by the user to guide the AI in generating an image. It is crucial for specifying the type of image the user wants to create. In the context of the video, the text prompt is used to instruct DALL-E 2 on what kind of image to generate, with the example given being 'anteater drinking a Pepsi through a straw'.

💡Credits

In the context of using DALL-E 2, credits are a form of in-system currency that users can purchase to generate more images. They are used to pay for the generation of images once the free monthly allowance is exhausted. The video mentions that as of the time of recording, each credit costs about 10 cents and provides a series of four images.

💡Art Styles

Art styles refer to various aesthetic forms and techniques used in creating visual art. DALL-E 2 allows users to specify different art styles, such as 'impressionist' or 'watercolor', to influence the style of the generated images. The video emphasizes the importance of being specific about the desired art style to guide the AI effectively.

💡Copyrighted Images

Copyrighted images are works of art or photography that are protected by copyright law, meaning they cannot be used without permission from the copyright holder. The video script mentions that DALL-E 2 will not generate copyrighted images, such as a logo, but can create a generic representation that avoids direct copyright infringement.

💡Outpainting

Outpainting is a feature within DALL-E 2 that allows users to expand the edges of an image or replace certain areas. This feature is used when the generated image is cropped or does not fully capture the intended scene. The video demonstrates how to use outpainting to add more of a scene that was initially not fully visible.

💡Collections

Collections are a way for users to organize and categorize their generated images within their DALL-E 2 account. The video suggests creating collections to filter out unsatisfactory images and group the good ones, making it easier to locate and use them for future projects.

💡Digital Art Descriptors

Digital art descriptors are specific terms added to a text prompt to guide the AI towards generating a particular style of digital art. In the video, the term 'digital art' is used as a descriptor to inform DALL-E 2 that the user wants an artistic rendering rather than a photorealistic image.

💡Public Domain

Public domain refers to works that are not protected by copyright and can be freely used by the public. The video explains that the images generated by DALL-E 2 are considered to be in the public domain, which means they can be used for various purposes without the need for permission, although there are certain restrictions and guidelines to follow.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used image editing software that allows for advanced manipulation and enhancement of digital images. In the context of the video, it is suggested as a tool for cleaning up and refining the AI-generated images to fix mistakes and improve the overall quality before using them for personal or commercial purposes.

💡AI Art

AI Art refers to artwork that is created or influenced by artificial intelligence. The video is a tutorial on how to generate AI art using DALL-E 2, discussing the process from creating the initial image with a text prompt to refining it in a program like Photoshop. AI art is presented as a new and exciting field where AI technology intersects with creative expression.

Highlights

DALL-E 2 is an AI image generator that creates images from text prompts.

The service is easy to use and requires a free account for storing generated images.

Users do not need to provide payment information unless they wish to purchase credits for additional images.

DALL-E 2 offers a free tier for a certain number of images, after which credits must be purchased or users must wait for a monthly reset.

Credits are reasonably priced at about 10 cents each, providing a series of four images per credit.

The generated images may not always be perfect, and refining the text prompt may be necessary to achieve the desired result.

DALL-E 2 will not generate images that are inappropriate, such as those containing graphic violence or pornography.

Copyrighted images cannot be directly generated, but generic representations may be provided.

Adding descriptors like 'digital art' can help guide the style of the generated image.

Users can specify various art styles and genres, including styles inspired by public domain artists like Van Gogh.

The generated images may contain mistakes, especially photographs with misshapen hands or faces.

Images are saved in the user's DALL-E 2 account and can be downloaded or shared publicly or privately.

Users can refine their generated images by resubmitting the text prompt or using the variations button, which incurs an additional credit cost.

DALL-E 2 provides an image history page to manage and review all generated images.

The outpainting feature allows users to expand images by adding to the edges or replacing areas, at the cost of one credit per generation.

Generated images can be uploaded and merged with other objects or characters to create composite scenes.

Users are advised to download and backup their images as the editor does not save progress.

The terms of service state that generated images are public domain, but users may not misrepresent them as solely human-made.

For commercial use, it is recommended to refine the images in a program like Photoshop to fix flaws and complete the concept.

Generated images can also serve as a reference or inspiration for creating unique handmade artwork.