mayaskThe era of AI-generated artwork has dawned upon us, and the internet is teeming with users constantly striving to craft the perfect prompts to guide AIs in creating precisely the right images – or, at times, not quite as intended. Does this sound like a fun endeavor? One of the more prevalent AI tools is Midjourney, which users employ to conjure dreamlike landscapes and captivating subjects with just a few words.
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Difficulty
Easy
Duration
15 minutes
What You Need
-
Discord account
If you’re eager to experiment with Midjourney, we have great news for you! It’s free to sign up, and you can get started using the AI generator in a matter of minutes. Here’s everything you need to know to make your first foray into it.
How to Begin Using Midjourney
Step 1: Ensure you have a Discord login. Although there is now a dedicated site, it is invitation-only. For the majority of us, Midjourney operates entirely within Discord, so you’ll need an account there to utilize it. Signing up for Discord is also free if you haven’t already done so.
Step 2: Visit the Midjourney website. Here, select “Join the beta.” This will automatically direct you to a Discord invitation.
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Step 3: Accept the Discord invitation to Midjourney. Choose to “Continue to Discord.”
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Step 4: Your Discord app will open automatically. Once it does, locate the ship-like “Midjourney” icon on the left menu and select it.
Step 5: In the Midjourney channels, find the “Newcomer” rooms. There will typically be several open newcomer rooms, such as “newbies-108.” You can choose any of these to begin.
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Step 6: Now you’re ready to create AI art. Note that during your free trial, you have a limited number of prompt options available. You can create around 25 free images. After that, you’ll need to purchase a full membership to continue. If you don’t want to spend money, it’s advisable to think carefully about what you want to create on Midjourney. If you wish, you can type “/help” to access a list of tips to peruse.
Step 7: When ready, type “/imagine” in the Discord chat of your newbie room. This will create a prompt field where you can describe the image. The more specific and detailed your description, the better the AI will be able to produce satisfactory results. Be descriptive, and if you have a specific style in mind, include it in your description. There are certain conduct guidelines to follow, but as long as you keep things clean, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. After entering your description, select “Enter” to send your prompt.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Step 8: Give Midjourney a moment to generate your images. Typically, the AI will create several different versions based on your description. You now have several options to proceed.
Look beneath the images, and you’ll see a section of U and V buttons labeled 1 through 4. The numbers correspond to the four images generated by Midjourney. Choosing “U” will upscale the selected image into a larger and more defined version. Choosing “V” will create a completely new image based on the image you choose. You’ll also see a refresh button to request a new set of images. Keep in mind that each choice will consume some of your available free prompts, so only do it if you’re certain you want to continue.
Step 9: Once you’ve examined a single image, you’ll have more options for altering it:
* “Vary”: Creates four more images that resemble the selected image.
* “Zoom Out”: Shrinks the image and generates more context-based imagery around it.
* “Arrows”: “Pans” the image and fills in newly exposed areas with context-based imagery.
* “Heart Symbol“: Favorites an image, allowing you to easily find it in your Midjourney Gallery.
* “Web”: Allows you to directly open the image in your Midjourney Gallery.
Step 10: If you plan to use Midjourney extensively, you can use any bot channel in Midjourney’s Discord and type “/subscribe.” This will create a link that you can follow to pay for a subscription. Those who are serious about using Midjourney in the long term should also take a look at the manual, which provides a more comprehensive list of commands and advice on creating images.
For more AI image-generating options, check out what Microsoft is doing in the field as well.
