How Does Image-to-Image AI Work?
Start with one clear change, such as a new background or visual style. The result is still generative, so compare important shapes, text, colors, and layout with the source before using it.
What Should Stay?
Name the few features that define success, such as the object’s shape, camera angle, layout, or main colors. These become the details you compare with the source.
What Should Change?
Describe the new background, lighting, material, color, or style. Replace vague requests such as “make it better” with a visible result you can check.
Starting without a reference image? Use Text to Image AI to create a new visual from words.
How to Use the Image-to-Image Generator
- 01
Upload a Clear Reference
Choose an image that clearly shows the subject and the details you want to preserve. Check the selected model’s reference limit before adding more images. - 02
Describe the Change and Key Details
State the main change, then list the important features that should remain recognizable. Start with a focused request rather than several unrelated transformations. - 03
Review Settings and Credits
Review the available output size or ratio, format, image count, and quality options. Confirm the displayed credit total before submitting. - 04
Compare and Download
Follow progress in Workspace, then compare the result with the reference. Check both the requested change and the details you wanted to preserve before downloading or trying again.
What Can You Change with Image-to-Image AI?
Restyle a Scene
Request a different medium, palette, or visual treatment while naming the objects and layout that should guide the result. Check whether the new style has also changed shapes or composition.
Explore Product Settings
Use a product image to explore new backgrounds, surfaces, or lighting. Compare shape, proportions, colors, labels, and small details with the real product before publishing.
Develop a Sketch or Layout
Use a sketch or rough composition as a guide, then describe the materials, lighting, and finish you want. State whether the layout should be followed closely or used as a loose starting point.
Create Fictional Character Variations
Use a fictional character reference to explore a different outfit, setting, or visual treatment. Name the defining features to preserve and compare them across results.
Choose a Model and Prepare Your Reference
Choose a reference that clearly shows the feature your edit depends on. Shape needs visible edges; material needs readable texture and reflections; layout needs enough of the scene to show spatial relationships.
Crop out unrelated interface elements or borders when they are not part of the intended image. The uploader accepts JPEG, PNG, and WebP; also follow any size or dimension requirements shown for the selected model.
Model and Reference Limit
Choose a model that supports the number and type of references your task needs. Genify offers editing options from model families including Flux and GPT Image. Review the upload counter again after switching models.
Output Settings
Review the image size or aspect ratio, format, quality options, and output count available for the selected model. Match the output to the intended layout before generating.
Credit Cost
The Generate button shows the credits required for the current configuration. Changing the model or output settings can change the total, so budget for revisions as well as the first attempt.
How to Write an Image-to-Image Prompt
State the change you want, then name the important features to preserve. Use concrete details that you can compare with the source, such as an object’s outline, the viewing angle, or the position of key elements.
- Subject: name the object outline, defining character features, or product details that matter.
- Layout: state the viewing angle, subject position, and important spacing to preserve.
- Appearance: specify any colors, materials, or textures that should remain recognizable.
- Allowed changes: say which background, lighting, or style elements can change.
These are instruction examples, not verified before-and-after results. Adapt them to your own reference and review the output.
Example 1: Change a Background
Keep the chair’s silhouette, woven seat, and viewing angle. Replace the room with a quiet concrete gallery lit by soft skylight. Keep the chair in the same position and do not add other furniture.
What to Check
Compare the chair’s outline, legs, seat pattern, and perspective with the source. Check whether the new lighting and contact shadow fit the setting.
Example 2: Restyle an Image
Restyle the scene as a muted watercolor illustration. Preserve the building outlines, main object positions, and horizon. Use soft paper texture and restrained colors without adding new objects.
What to Check
Check whether the requested medium is visible and whether the original arrangement remains recognizable. Inspect edges and small structures for unwanted changes.
Example 3: Develop a Sketch
Use the sketch as a composition guide. Keep the table and lamp positions and the existing viewpoint. Render the scene with pale wood, matte ceramic, and soft window light. Do not add extra furniture.
What to Check
Compare object placement and proportions with the sketch. Check whether the requested materials and lighting have been added without changing the main layout.
Use Improve Prompt to refine your instruction, then check that it has not added changes to details you wanted to preserve.
How to Use Multiple Reference Images
When the selected model supports multiple references, assign each image a specific role. Explain which image supplies the subject, layout, or visual style, and remove references that create conflicting instructions.
- Subject Reference: identify the object or fictional character that should guide the result.
- Layout Reference: identify the image that supplies framing, viewpoint, or object placement.
- Style Reference: identify the image that supplies color, texture, lighting, or visual treatment.
- Priority: explain which reference takes precedence when their layout, colors, or details disagree.
Use Image 1 for the chair’s shape and woven seat. Use Image 2 only for the room’s colors and lighting. Keep the chair from Image 1; do not copy the furniture from Image 2.
Use this pattern only with a model that supports the required number of references.
Common Image-to-Image Problems and What to Try
Compare the source and result in two passes: first check the details you wanted to preserve, then check the requested change. Identify the clearest mismatch before revising the prompt, reference, or settings.
The Subject Changes Too Much
Reduce the number of requested changes, name the defining features, and use a reference where those features are clearly visible. Inspect the result rather than assuming a preservation instruction guarantees fidelity.
The Layout or Crop Changes
State the viewing angle and subject placement, then check the output ratio. Remove instructions that imply a different camera position or framing.
The Requested Change Is Too Subtle
Replace vague wording with a concrete destination: name the new background, material, lighting, or visual style. Check that other instructions are not asking the model to preserve the same feature you want to change.
The Wrong Reference Takes Over
Assign each image a role, state which reference has priority, and remove unnecessary inputs. Check the active reference list after switching models.
Labels, Text, or Small Details Change
Request fewer simultaneous changes and use a source where the important detail is easy to inspect. Check lettering and fine structures at full size; use a suitable editing tool when exact text or precision detail is required.
The Task Will Not Submit
Check that a prompt and at least one valid reference are present. Review sign-in status, available credits, upload requirements, and any message about active tasks before trying again.
Related Image Tools and Next Steps
- Remove a BackgroundIsolate the foreground when you need a cut-out rather than a newly generated setting.
- Expand an ImageAdd space beyond the original image borders.
- Upscale an ImageEnlarge an image using the available upscaling options.
- Create an Image from TextStart with a written description when no reference image is needed.
- Animate an ImageUse a still image as the starting point for a short video clip.
Not sure which image mode to use? Compare text and reference inputs in the AI Image Generator.