Sketch to AI Render Tools (That Actually Work)

Architecture for Thought
2 Jun 202311:21

TLDRThis video from Architecture for Thought introduces two AI-powered programs, PromeAI and MNML-AI, that convert hand sketches into photorealistic renderings. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining the designer's intent through the use of ControlNet technology. The host demonstrates the process using a digital sketch app, Tayasui Sketches, and then explores the features of both AI tools, highlighting their capabilities in generating detailed architectural renderings. PromeAI offers a Sketch Rendering tool with options for material changes and the ability to erase and replace elements in the design. MNML-AI provides a similar Sketch Image generator with a prompt enhancer for better results. The video concludes with the host's enthusiasm for the increased user control and customization these tools offer to architects and designers.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 The video discusses two AI programs that convert hand sketches into photorealistic renderings using ControlNet for image geometry locking.
  • ⏱️ The presenter starts with a time-lapse of a digital hand sketch using Tayasui Sketches, an app favored for its tools and layer capabilities.
  • 🏡 The sketch's inspiration comes from a competition brief by Icon, a 3D printing company, to design an affordable home that can be printed with their equipment.
  • 📱 For the rendering process, sketches should be devoid of color to be compatible with most sketch-to-photorealistic rendering tools.
  • 🔍 PromeAI is introduced as the first program, aimed at architects and product designers, offering various tools including Sketch Rendering, Erase and Replace, and Background Diffusion.
  • 🌌 A detailed prompt is crucial for PromeAI to generate images that align with the user's vision, with options to adjust styles and materials.
  • 🔨 The Erase and Replace feature in PromeAI allows users to make specific edits to the generated images, such as adding large glass windows.
  • 🪟 MNML-AI is the second tool presented, also catering to architects and designers, with a focus on Sketch Image generation.
  • 📝 MNML-AI provides user control through options like prompt enhancer, negative prompt, and redesign level, allowing for more personalized outcomes.
  • 🌟 Both tools offer a high level of photorealism in their renderings, maintaining the original sketch's geometry and design intent.
  • ✅ The presenter appreciates the increased user control in these AI tools, which is essential for architects and designers to integrate them into their workflows.
  • 🔜 The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to share their creations and expresses excitement to see how these tools will evolve.

Q & A

  • What are the two programs mentioned in the video that can convert hand sketches into photorealistic renderings using artificial intelligence?

    -The two programs mentioned are PromeAI and MNML-AI.

  • What is the name of the app used for digital hand sketching in the video?

    -The app used for digital hand sketching is called Tayasui Sketches.

  • What is the significance of using a void of any color in the final sketch for the rendering tools?

    -The final sketch should be void of any color because most of the tools for sketch to photorealistic renderings require it to accurately interpret the geometry without color interference.

  • What is the name of the 3D printing company that inspired the hand sketch in the video?

    -The 3D printing company that inspired the hand sketch is Icon.

  • What type of home design competition did Icon release?

    -Icon released a competition brief to design a home under $99,000 that can be printed using their equipment.

  • What is the name of the tool within PromeAI that the video focuses on?

    -The video focuses on the Sketch Rendering tool within PromeAI.

  • What are the additional tools mentioned in PromeAI that are not the main focus of the video?

    -The additional tools mentioned in PromeAI include Erase and Replace, Background Diffusion, and an upcoming AI Outpainting tool.

  • What is the benefit of using the 'European' style option in PromeAI for the given sketch?

    -The 'European' style option seems to work the best for the given sketch, likely due to its compatibility with the architectural style of the sketch.

  • How does MNML-AI differ from PromeAI in terms of user control?

    -MNML-AI offers a bit more user control than PromeAI, allowing for adjustments such as changing the material and using prompts to guide the AI.

  • What feature does MNML-AI have that allows for more user control in the image generation process?

    -MNML-AI has features like prompt enhancer, negative prompt, and redesign level, which allow users to have more control over the final image.

  • What does the video suggest about the future of AI image generation tools for architects and designers?

    -The video suggests that future releases of AI image generation tools, such as those from Midjourney, will focus on giving more user control, which is essential for architects and designers to trust and adapt these tools into their workflows.

  • What is the importance of user control in AI rendering tools for architects and designers?

    -User control is important because it allows architects and designers to ensure that the AI-generated images align with their design intent and specific requirements, making the tools more practical and reliable for professional use.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to AI-Powered Sketch Conversion Tools

This paragraph introduces the topic of the video, which is about two programs capable of converting hand sketches into photorealistic renderings using artificial intelligence. The video emphasizes the use of ControlNet to maintain the original geometry of the sketch while transforming it into a photorealistic image. The host shares a personal digital hand sketching session using the Tayasui Sketches app, explaining the process and techniques used to create depth and shadowing in the sketch. The inspiration for the sketch comes from a competition brief by Icon, a 3D printing company, which challenges designers to create a home under $99,000 that can be printed with their equipment. The paragraph concludes with a note on the importance of starting with a color-free sketch for the rendering tools.

05:03

🏢 Exploring PromeAI's Sketch Rendering Tool

The second paragraph delves into the first program, PromeAI, which is described as being tailored for architects and product designers. The host demonstrates how to use the Sketch Rendering tool by uploading a hand sketch and applying a detailed prompt to generate a photorealistic image. The platform offers various styles and options, such as material changes and the ability to switch between sketch and realistic image views. The host experiments with erasing and replacing elements in the rendering, like adding large glass windows, and appreciates the quick generation of options and the tool's adherence to the original sketch's geometry and design intent.

10:08

📈 Trying Out MNML-AI for Architectural Image Generation

The final paragraph introduces the second tool, MNML-AI, which also appears to be designed with architects and designers in mind. The host uploads the same sketch and inputs a prompt into the Sketch Image generator. The tool offers features like prompt enhancement, negative problem omission, and redesign levels for upscale options. The host notes that while the generated image deviates slightly from the original sketch's geometry, it still provides a good level of control and is a step up from other image generators. The paragraph ends with the host's positive outlook on the integration of user control in these AI tools and an invitation for viewers to explore and share their creations.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. In the context of the video, AI is used to convert hand sketches into photorealistic renderings, showcasing its ability to understand and replicate the intent of the designer. The video mentions that both programs utilize ControlNet to maintain the geometry of the image, which is a significant aspect of the AI's role in the transformation process.

💡ControlNet

ControlNet is a term used in the video to describe a technology that locks the geometry of an image when converting sketches to photorealistic renderings. It ensures that the AI maintains the original structure and design intent of the hand sketch, which is crucial for architects and designers who want their digital renderings to be true to their initial ideas.

💡Photorealistic Renderings

Photorealistic renderings are digital images that closely resemble real-life photographs. They are created using advanced software and techniques to simulate the way light interacts with objects in the scene. In the video, the host discusses two programs that leverage AI to transform hand sketches into such renderings, which is particularly useful for visualizing architectural designs with high levels of detail and realism.

💡Tayasui Sketches

Tayasui Sketches is an app mentioned in the video that is used for digital hand sketching. It is praised for its user-friendly interface, tools, and layering capabilities that allow for efficient and effective sketch creation. The app is not sponsored in the video but is recommended by the host for its effectiveness in quickly getting ideas down on a digital canvas, such as an iPad.

💡3D Printing

3D printing is a process used to create three-dimensional objects from digital models. The video references a competition by Icon, a 3D printing company, which challenges designers to create a home that can be printed using their equipment for under $99,000. The host expresses a passion for 3D printing, indicating that it is a significant theme in the channel's content.

💡Sketch to AI Image Conversion

This term refers to the process of using AI to transform hand-drawn sketches into digital images. The video demonstrates how this technology can be applied to architectural and design sketches to produce photorealistic renderings. It is a key focus of the video, as the host explores the capabilities of two different programs, PromeAI and MNML-AI, in performing this conversion.

💡PromeAI

PromeAI is one of the two programs featured in the video that specializes in converting sketches into photorealistic images using AI. It is described as being particularly suited for architects and product designers, offering tools like Sketch Rendering, Erase and Replace, and Background Diffusion. The host uses PromeAI to demonstrate the conversion process, highlighting its user-friendly interface and the quality of the generated images.

💡MNML-AI

MNML-AI is another program discussed in the video for converting sketches to images using AI. It is also aimed at architects and designers, offering a Sketch Image generator among other tools. The platform is noted for providing user control over the conversion process, which is essential for professionals who need to maintain the integrity of their original designs in the final renderings.

💡CAD Line Drawings

CAD (Computer-Aided Design) line drawings are digital representations of designs created using CAD software. In the context of the video, the host mentions that PromeAI can take CAD line drawings and produce shaded elevation drawings from them, showcasing the versatility of AI tools in handling different types of design inputs.

💡Interior Design

Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. The video mentions that PromeAI has a specific tab for interior design, indicating that the program is tailored to cater to the needs of interior designers in addition to architects.

💡AI Outpainting

AI Outpainting is a feature that is mentioned as 'coming soon' to PromeAI. It refers to the use of AI to generate and extend the edges or backgrounds of an image, similar to the capabilities of DALL-E. This feature would allow designers to expand their sketches into more comprehensive scenes, further enhancing the creative possibilities with AI tools.

Highlights

Two programs are presented that can convert hand sketches into photorealistic renderings using artificial intelligence.

Both programs utilize ControlNet to lock image geometry and accurately represent hand sketches in photorealistic form.

The video includes a time-lapse of a digital hand sketch created with Tayasui Sketches, an app praised for its digital sketching tools.

The inspiration for the sketch comes from a competition brief by Icon, a 3D printing company, to design an affordable home.

The final sketch for the AI system should be devoid of color to ensure accurate conversion to photorealistic renderings.

PromeAI is introduced as a platform potentially geared towards architects and product designers, with a focus on Sketch Rendering.

PromeAI offers additional tools such as Erase and Replace, Background Diffusion, and an upcoming AI Outpainting feature.

Users can sign up for PromeAI with a free edition that allows image previews, with high-definition upgrades available.

The Sketch Rendering tool in PromeAI allows for material changes and provides multiple options for each rendering.

Erase and Replace feature in PromeAI enables users to modify specific parts of the rendering, like adding large glass windows.

MNML-AI is another platform that seems to cater more to architects and designers, with a Sketch Image generator among its tools.

MNML-AI's Sketch Image generator provides user control over the rendering process, a feature that is highly valued in the architectural discipline.

The prompt enhancer in MNML-AI works best with short prompts and can be unchecked for more experienced users.

MNML-AI offers an upscale option called 'Redesign' level for any generated images, and an advanced setting to control the Seed.

The video showcases the process of generating images with both PromeAI and MNML-AI, highlighting the user control and rendering quality.

The presenter expresses satisfaction with the rendering quality and the adherence to the original sketch's geometry and design intent.

Future releases of similar tools are expected to focus on giving users more control over the AI rendering process.

The video concludes by encouraging viewers to explore these tools and share their creations, anticipating further advancements in the field.