Keeping characters looking the same across different scenes and styles has always been tricky. But now, with the new Midjourney character consistency (cref) feature, it’s becoming a whole lot easier.
First test 👇
prompt: a isometric 3d model of a man smoking a pipe pic.twitter.com/MoPq1ZHw5c— Joanna (@promptsiren) March 12, 2024
How does Midjourney character consistency work?
Midjourney, a leading platform for creating images with AI, has introduced an exciting new feature called Character Reference (cref). This feature helps users make characters that look the same across different pictures and styles.
Here’s how it works: You start by picking a character image you like and then use the ‘cref’ command followed by the URL of that image. Midjourney then uses that image as a guide to create new characters that look similar. You can even adjust how much they look alike using the ‘character weight’ (cw) command. Don’t worry; in the following section, we will explain step-by-step how to use the new Midjourney character consistency feature with the “chef” command. But first, let’s understand what you can do with the new feature.
This feature is super useful for artists, writers, and game developers who want their characters to stay consistent throughout their work. Here are some real-life scenarios that might happen in the near future:
- Consistent comic characters: Comic artists can keep their characters looking the same in every panel, making their stories more engaging and easier to follow.
- Steady animation figures: Animation studios can create characters that stay consistent throughout movies or series, making them more memorable for viewers.
- Uniform video game avatars: In video games, players can design characters that always look the same, ensuring they recognize themselves or their favorite characters every time they play.
- Storyboarding for films: Artists working on movies can draw storyboards with characters that have a consistent appearance, helping directors visualize scenes more clearly.
- Educational illustrations: Teachers and textbook designers can create characters for educational materials that look the same every time they appear, making learning more enjoyable and relatable for students.
- Company mascots: Businesses can design mascots for branding and marketing campaigns that maintain a consistent look, boosting brand recognition and loyalty.
While the feature is getting a lot of praise, some users have noticed that there can be small differences, especially in the details, like facial features. But Midjourney is always improving, so we can expect even better results in the future.
How to use Midjourney character consistency feature with the “cref” command
To generate images on Midjourney and ensure consistency in style and character, follow these steps:
- Access Midjourney via Discord: You’ll need to have access to Midjourney through Discord to generate images. If you haven’t already, join Midjourney’s Discord server to get started. If you need to, check out our guide on how to use Midjourney on Discord.
- Generating the root image: Begin by typing “/imagine [your prompt description]” in the chatbox. For example, “/imagine A blonde boy is riding a bike, digital illustration –ar 16:9 –v 6.0”. This will generate an image based on your prompt.
- Upscaling the image: Once you’ve generated the initial image, if you find one that suits your needs, you can upscale it to use as the root image for consistency. Simply copy the link from the upscaled image.
- Using –sref and –cref: With the upscaled image as your root, you can now use “–sref” and “–cref” commands together to create consistent style and character. For example, enter a prompt in the following structure: “/imagine [your prompt description], –sref [paste link from your upscaled image] –sref [paste link from your upscaled image] –ar 16:9 –v 6.0”.
- Trying different prompts: Now, you can try different prompts while maintaining consistency in style and character. For instance:
- “The blonde boy is sitting on a park bench, –ar 16:9 –sref [link here] –cref [link here]”
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- “The blonde boy is buying ice cream, –ar 16:9 –sref [link here] –cref [link here]”
By following these steps and utilizing the –sref and –cref commands, you can easily generate consistent images for your child book, ensuring a cohesive visual experience throughout.
Overall, Midjourney’s Character Reference feature is a big step forward for anyone who wants to create characters that look the same across different pictures and styles. It’s making art and storytelling easier and more fun for everyone!
Special thanks to Kerem Gülen for his contributions to the guide.
Featured image credit: Google DeepMind/Pexels
