AI Image Generators

At first we were going to put some AI images, that we generated on various online generators, on a separate blog. However, after a quick Google search the AI indicated that X.com is a popular platform for sharing those images. So, we figured why fool with another blog, easier just to upload to X.

However decided to make a related post here on our main blog. With a few thoughts and examples.

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RaphaelAI.org seems totally free and unlimited in the numbers of images you can generate. However, there are quite a few pop-ups.

If you are using Firefox and blocker extensions you may need to play a bit with the settings. We had a bit of trouble until fiddling with one of the extensions (and disabling another). Perhaps you will have better luck, and it ís definitely worth a try.

The images are nearly photorealistic. Although it can be a bit slow (probably due to many users), and can seem a bit iffy at generating what you specify on the prompt (seems as if it gets easily confused, but does seem to be improving).

When we tried to regenerate a different image with a slightly different prompt, it generated the same image.

tip: Since the generator does not seem to automatically reseed. Try adding a short string of random letters and numbers to the end of your prompt, before attempting to regenerate with the same prompt.

Without reseeding, a duplicate image can be created using the same prompt. So, when posting, be aware that your image may not be unique, unless you use a long, elaborate description for the prompt. Or add a random string of characters to it. Even then the images can be quite similar. (unless you do a lot of editing)

It would be nice if the provider updated the generator to automatically reseed, but we are sure there are other reasons not to (increased user volume, higher energy consumption, …), which could negatively impact the usefulness. Or the providers ability to keep it free.

That said, the generator still creates some excellent images, --- and if you are simply posting your images to social media, your viewers should not complain; much.

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MagicStudio.com did seem to be free, with no account, but now they allow twenty images before you need to create an account, which allows unlimited image creation.

According to Google search, the AI text to image generator is free for unlimited use. (?)

Although, not quite as photorealistic as some other generators, more like painted art, but some things like flowers do look pretty close.

(and it does seem to be getting better)

Some images seem a bit more fantasy world (and often a bit more colorful), such as castles, forests and island scenics, especially night scenes (and not quite as granular).

However, things like vehicles can seem a little outdated (think pre 1990s), but overall I think it generates some pretty nice images, reasonably fast. 

Abstract art seems quite good compared to a few other generators we have tried (some were rather unremarkable). It seems to understand differing things like painting styles, media types and names of famous artists when used on the prompt (although sometimes, as with many AI generators, it may take two or three tries before it starts getting it right).

— and although not photorealistic, some of the images generated there do look nice on my four year old Android phone — and my older Windows 10 laptop

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DeepAI.org a good generator, with the most available options, but only allows generation of two hundred free images before you need to sign up for a paid account, which allows five hundred images per month. Their image generator can generate near photorealistic images and has options for size/dimensions and many different filters that can be applied to drastically change the styles of the image output.

According to Google search, the AI text to image generator is free, but limited to the number allowed to generate (at any one time?). (?)

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Do not remember where we generated these, a few weeks ago (think the site was café something, or something café --- maybe Nightcafe?), but I think they turned out pretty nice. However, wherever it was, it stopped us at about twenty images before requiring us to create an account.

Whichever site it was, it seemed to be using tracking methods, other than just standard cookies. (?) 😒

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Craiyon.com 

Another seemingly completely free image generator. Just to mention, since we did try it. It is much slower than the others we tried, and the images (although actually quite good), were somewhat blurry. It does seem to allow an unlimited number of image creation without requiring an account.

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For something different, try adding words such as: muddy, rain, haze, smoke, spooky, floral, haunted, abandoned, desolate, sunny, lightning, moonlit and/or abstract, … to your prompts.

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All the generators we have tried do seem susceptible to generating artifacts and mistakes. Some worse than others. Some of the mistakes can actually be quite interesting. 

(would you want to ride this at any real speed?)

Such as generating three-wheeler motorcycles with seemingly plausible, but technically ridiculous placements of the wheels. 

(would the extra trailer axles cause excessive drag?)

Or full-length semi (tractor-trailer) with no rear axles on the truck, or extra axles on the trailer.

We used something like "fast futuristic fire car" for the prompt, --- perhaps we should have been more specific 😳😁

Okay, we used "woman in bikini beside a dragster". Maybe it is supposed to be a front wheel drive dragster, --- except the exhaust pipes are backwards. 🙂

Other common mistakes seem to involve misshapen or too many arms, legs, fingers and hands. Some are worse for generating phantom text in the image, either gibberish or actual wording. One generator actually added the name of a serial killer (not hearsay, we actually seen that on one we generated).

--- and creating a jet engined dragster often seems quite difficult to get correct 😁

(update: try using "jet powered" 😃)

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We are not so big on the whole “AI will improve the world” thing  (nor destroy it), actually quite skeptical. However, not being artists, we do like the AI image generators. Although true, some real artist would hate them, and we can understand that. As well as the fact that they can be used maliciously to create fake images of real people.

But, from a computer hobbiest viewpoint, we think it is quite amazing (and amusing) how the AI can create the kinds of images that it does, so quickly, with such amazing detail.

Some might say to us, “Well, you musician types will be replaced by AI.” Our opinion; “Okay.” — our music is just a hobby

What fascinates me is how you can type in a few words at the prompt and the AI not only generates what you entered, but can be quite elaborate at the rest of the image, often with very meticulous detail, that you never specified.

Yeah, we know it learns from all sorts of imagery that it finds on the internet, but still ….

— and now some painters are complaining how AI will flood the internet with inferior graphic art.

But hey, if they can create real works of art, better than the AI, — why complain?

--- and considering the vast amount of porn, music, and nearly everything else on the internet; there seems to be plenty of room for more 🤔

--- as usual, we will probably add more to this post, so check back occasionally

(we really should use thumbnails, but we are lazy)