TIPS You NEED for Consistent Characters in Midjourney

Future Tech Pilot
18 Mar 202415:54

TLDRIn this video, Nolan shares tips for creating consistent characters in Midjourney. He suggests using multiple images as character references to avoid repetitive looks across generations. Viewers are shown how to generate different expressions and angles of a character by adjusting parameters like stylize and chaos values. Lowering the character weight (CW) to zero is recommended when developing multiple expressions. The process involves using an image editor to isolate faces, uploading them to Discord, and creating a shortcut for the character with all reference images. Nolan also demonstrates how to achieve multiple characters in a scene by using the 'vary region' feature and inpainting. He highlights the importance of not including 'CF' in shortcuts to avoid limiting the use of image links. Additionally, he introduces the innovative use of color as a character reference, which can influence the scene's color scheme. The video concludes with further tips on combining character and style references, adjusting style weights, and experimenting with parameters like 'weird' for unique results. Nolan also offers a beginner course for those interested in mastering Midjourney.

Takeaways

  • 📸 Use multiple images as character references to create consistent characters by including different looks and expressions in the prompt.
  • 🔍 Experiment with parameters like stylize and chaos to achieve desired results with character references.
  • 🎭 Lower the character weight (CW) to zero when developing multiple expressions to focus solely on the face.
  • 🖼️ Edit images in an image editor like Photoshop or Canva to isolate individual faces and save them as separate pictures.
  • 🔗 Upload the isolated faces to Discord and create a new shortcut for the character, including all reference images.
  • 🚫 Avoid including 'D-CF' in shortcuts to prevent limitations on using image links for other purposes and adding multiple character references.
  • 🌟 Specify new looks directly in the prompt to achieve different character expressions and appearances.
  • 🚫 Do not attempt to generate multiple characters in a single scene as the AI will create a blend of the characters.
  • 🎨 Use 'vary region' and 'inpaint' features to insert multiple characters into a scene by selecting and deleting unwanted elements.
  • 🌈 Discovered technique of using color as a character reference, which the AI can incorporate into the scene.
  • 📚 Nolan offers a beginner course for those new to AI art, covering all features of mid-journey in a detailed, step-by-step format.
  • 💡 Combine character reference with style reference and adjust style weight or add chaos for unique results.
  • 🔧 Use a combination of parameters like stylize, chaos, and the 'weird' parameter for more creative and varied outputs.
  • ⚙️ If the AI isn't responding as expected, there are troubleshooting tips available to refine the process.

Q & A

  • What is the main issue that the video aims to solve regarding character consistency in mid-journey?

    -The video aims to solve the issue of characters having the same look in each generation by suggesting the use of multiple image references and adjusting parameters to achieve more varied expressions and appearances.

  • How can you include multiple looks for a character in the character reference?

    -You can include multiple looks by generating different expressions and candid photos of the character, and then linking these images in the prompt. This allows the AI to pull from various sources rather than just one.

  • What is the recommended value to set the character weight (CW) when developing multiple expressions?

    -The character weight (CW) is recommended to be lowered to zero when developing multiple expressions, to focus solely on the face.

  • How many expressions are suggested to generate for a character?

    -It is suggested to generate between four and six expressions for a character to do a very good job at providing variety.

  • What is the process of creating a new shortcut for a character in Discord?

    -You need to isolate individual faces from the generated images using an image editor, save them as separate pictures, upload them to Discord, and then set the shortcut by inputting the image links and naming the shortcut.

  • Why shouldn't you include 'CF' in your shortcut?

    -Including 'CF' in your shortcut would limit the use of the image links to character references only and would prevent adding more than one character reference in the prompt.

  • How can you specify a new look for your character in the prompt?

    -Instead of prompting for multiple expressions, you can directly specify the new look you want in the prompt, such as a side profile or portrait, and then include a picture of the character.

  • Is it possible to generate multiple characters in a scene?

    -Directly generating multiple characters in a scene is not possible as the AI will create a combination of both characters. However, a workaround is to use the 'vary region' feature to inpaint the characters separately.

  • What is the trick to using color as a character reference?

    -You can use color or texture as a character reference by including a color code or a link to a texture in the prompt, and the AI will insert those colors or textures into the scene.

  • Why is it important to be careful when using colors as character references and lowering the character weight?

    -When you lower the character weight, you might lose the color you intended for the character, as the color reference might not be as strong when the character's face is the main focus.

  • How can you combine character reference with style reference in your prompt?

    -You can lower the style weight of the style reference image or include some chaos in the prompt to combine character reference with style reference effectively.

  • What are some advanced parameters that can be used for creating unique images?

    -Advanced parameters like 'stylize', 'chaos', and 'weird' can be combined with values to create unique and interesting images.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Enhancing Character Consistency with Multiple References

The first paragraph discusses the challenge of creating consistent characters across different generations and offers a solution involving the use of multiple images as character references. It suggests generating different looks for a character by using various expressions and angles, adjusting parameters such as stylization and chaos, and lowering the character weight to focus on the face. The process involves isolating individual faces in an image editor, uploading them to Discord, and creating a new shortcut for the character that includes all reference images. The paragraph also touches on the limitations of including multiple characters in a scene and the importance of not adding 'CF' to shortcuts to avoid restrictions in character references.

05:00

🖼️ Advanced Techniques for Character and Scene Creation

The second paragraph delves into advanced techniques for creating characters and scenes. It explains that while generating multiple characters in a scene isn't directly possible, a workaround involves using the 'vary region' feature to inpaint characters into a scene. The paragraph also introduces the concept of using color and texture as character references, which can influence the colors and materials in the generated images. The importance of not including 'CF' in shortcuts to allow for multiple character references is reiterated. Additionally, the paragraph highlights the effectiveness of using color references and provides examples of how it can influence the generated images.

10:02

🚫 Avoiding Shortcut Missteps and Exploring Color References

The third paragraph warns against including 'CF' in shortcuts, as it can prevent the inclusion of multiple character references in a prompt. It demonstrates how using color references can override the colors specified in the prompt, emphasizing the strength of color references in influencing the generated images. The paragraph also suggests combining character references with style references and adjusting the style weight to achieve desired results. It encourages experimentation with various parameters such as stylize, chaos, and the 'weird' parameter to create unique and compelling images.

15:04

🛠️ Troubleshooting and Final Tips for Mid-Journey Users

The final paragraph offers troubleshooting advice for users who encounter issues with Mid-Journey not generating desired results. It also promotes the speaker's beginner course for those new to AI art, highlighting its comprehensive coverage of Mid-Journey features and practical lessons. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to check out a specific video for troubleshooting tips and a farewell message, expressing well wishes and an intention to see the audience in the next session.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Character Reference

A character reference in the context of the video refers to the use of multiple images or descriptions to guide the creation of a consistent character throughout different scenes or generations in an artistic journey. It is crucial for maintaining the character's identity and is used by including multiple image links in the prompt to ensure the character's features are accurately represented. For example, the script mentions using candid photos of 'Dash CF' and 'Eliza' as character references.

💡Stylize Value

The stylize value is a parameter that can be adjusted in the creative process to control the level of artistic stylization applied to the generated images. Lowering the stylize value can result in more natural and less abstract images, which is useful when fine-tuning the character's appearance. In the script, it is demonstrated that changing the stylize value to 'S60' can affect the character's expression and overall look.

💡Chaos Value

The chaos value is another parameter that determines the randomness or variability in the generated images. It can be used to introduce more diversity in the character's appearance by allowing for different expressions and looks. The script provides an example where a chaos value of '6' was used to generate a set of images, resulting in a range of character expressions.

💡Character Weight (CW)

Character weight is a parameter that can be adjusted to control the emphasis on the character's features in the generated images. Lowering the character weight to zero, as suggested in the video, focuses more on the face and expressions, allowing for a better development of multiple expressions for the character. It is used to refine the character's depiction when creating a variety of expressions.

💡Image Editing Software

Image editing software such as Photoshop or Canva is mentioned in the script as a tool for isolating individual faces from the generated images. This step is essential for creating separate, distinct references for the character's face, which can then be uploaded and used in the character creation process. It plays a role in the workflow of preparing images for character references.

💡Discord

Discord is referenced as the platform where the character images are uploaded and where shortcuts for character references are created. It serves as a medium for organizing and storing the character references for easy access and use in the creative process. The script describes how to upload images to Discord and create shortcuts for character references.

💡Shortcut

A shortcut in the context of the video is a method of creating a quick reference for multiple image links associated with a character. It simplifies the process of including multiple character references in the prompt by expanding a single term, like 'Eliza 2', into all the associated image links. This is a crucial step in organizing and using character references efficiently.

💡Vary Region

Vary region is a feature that allows for the manipulation of specific areas within an image. It is used in the script to inpaint or edit characters into a scene, which is particularly useful when trying to include multiple characters in a single image. The technique involves selecting a region and changing the character reference link to achieve the desired result.

💡Color as Character Reference

The video introduces the concept of using color or texture as a character reference to influence the color scheme or texture of the generated images. This creative approach allows for the incorporation of specific colors or textures into the scene, as demonstrated by using 'sky blue' or 'granite' as references, which directly impacts the visual outcome.

💡Style Weight

Style weight is a parameter that controls the influence of a style reference image on the generated output. By lowering the style weight, one can blend the style with the character reference more subtly, creating a unique visual fusion. The script suggests experimenting with different style weights to achieve the desired artistic effect.

💡Parameters

Parameters such as 'stylize', 'chaos', 'weird', and 'd-w space' are adjustable settings that can significantly affect the outcome of the generated images. They are used to introduce various levels of abstraction, randomness, and specific effects into the creative process. The video emphasizes the importance of experimenting with these parameters to achieve unique and consistent character representations.

Highlights

To create consistent characters, use more than one image as a character reference.

Include multiple image links in your prompt to generate different looks.

Lower the stylization value or try different parameters like style raw for varied results.

Chaos values and stylize values can be adjusted to achieve desired character expressions.

Lower the character weight (CW) to zero when developing multiple expressions.

Generating between four and six expressions is recommended for consistency.

Use an image editor to isolate individual faces and save them as separate pictures.

Upload the isolated faces to Discord and create a new shortcut for your character.

Avoid using 'D-CF' in shortcuts to allow for multiple character references and other uses.

Specify the new look you want in your prompt for different character expressions.

Upscale the images you like and include them in your shortcut for consistency.

Including multiple character references in a scene is not possible; the bot will combine them.

Use 'vary region' and 'inpaint' features to include multiple characters in a scene.

Color can be used as a character reference, with the AI inserting those colors into the scene.

Set colors as shortcuts for easier use in prompts.

Combining character reference with style reference can yield unique results.

Adjusting style weight and adding chaos can help achieve the desired style.

Experiment with parameters like 'weird', 'stylize', and 'chaos' for unique images.

Troubleshooting tips are available for when Midjourney isn't providing the desired results.

Nolan offers a beginner course for those new to Midjourney and AI art.