How to Use DALL-E 2 to Generate Images & A.I. Art

Aaron Rutten
19 Dec 202210:25

TLDRThis tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on using DALL-E 2, an AI image generator, to create unique images. The process begins with signing up for a free account and purchasing credits if necessary. Users can generate images by entering descriptive text prompts, with DALL-E offering guidance on refining prompts for better results. The generated images can be saved, shared, and downloaded, but users should be aware of potential imperfections. The video also covers how to use the outpainting feature to expand images and suggests post-processing in Photoshop for further refinement. It concludes with a discussion on the legal and practical use of generated images, emphasizing the importance of treating them as rough concepts that may require additional editing for commercial use.

Takeaways

  • 📝 Sign up for a free account to use DALL-E 2, which stores your generated images and allows for credit purchases if needed.
  • 💳 DALL-E 2 is free for a certain number of images, but you may need to wait a month or buy more credits if you run out.
  • 💡 Be descriptive yet succinct when entering a text prompt; DALL-E 2 can generate various image variations from a single prompt.
  • 🚫 Avoid generating images with graphic violence, pornography, or copyrighted material, as DALL-E 2 will not create these.
  • 🎨 Specify the art style you want, such as 'digital art' or styles inspired by public domain artists like Van Gogh.
  • 🔍 You can refine and modify your results with different art genres, colors, lighting, and backgrounds.
  • ⚖️ Be prepared to use multiple credits to get a usable image, as sometimes the results may not meet expectations on the first try.
  • 🖼️ Images generated are saved in your account and can be downloaded, shared, or revisited later.
  • 🔄 Use the 'variations' button to get new iterations of an image based on the original, costing an additional credit.
  • 📚 Build a history of your generated images and manage it by creating collections to organize your favorites.
  • ✂️ Edit and expand your images using features like outpainting and merging objects, being mindful that the editor doesn't save progress.
  • 📜 Legally, the generated images are public domain, but it's advised to clean them up and refine them for commercial use to avoid misrepresentation.

Q & A

  • How do you generate images using DALL-E 2?

    -To generate images with DALL-E 2, you enter a text prompt that describes the image you want to create. The system will then present you with several variations of the image based on your prompt.

  • Is it necessary to provide payment information when signing up for an account with DALL-E 2?

    -No, payment information is not required unless you want to purchase credits to generate more images beyond the free limit.

  • What happens if you exhaust your free credits on DALL-E 2?

    -If you use up all your free credits, you will need to wait for a month for them to reset or purchase more credits.

  • How much does a credit cost on DALL-E 2, and what do you get for each credit?

    -As of the time of the video, each credit costs about 10 cents, and you get a series of four images per credit.

  • What types of images cannot be generated with DALL-E 2?

    -DALL-E 2 cannot generate images that are graphic, violent, pornographic, or otherwise moderated content. Additionally, copyrighted images cannot be generated.

  • How can you refine the text prompt to get better results with DALL-E 2?

    -You can refine the text prompt by being more descriptive and succinct, and by considering the scope of what can be generated. Adding descriptors like 'digital art' can also help guide the style of the generated image.

  • What are some popular art styles and genres that can be specified when generating images with DALL-E 2?

    -You can choose from many popular art styles and genres, including styles based on artists in the public domain like Van Gogh or Salvador Dali. Other descriptors include impressionist, watercolor, child's drawing, and single line.

  • What can you do if the generated images have mistakes or do not meet your expectations?

    -You can submit the text prompt again, select the closest match, and use the 'variations' button for DALL-E 2 to generate another set of four iterations based on the original image. This process will cost an additional credit.

  • How can you manage the history of images you've generated with DALL-E 2?

    -You can organize your generated images into collections and periodically review your history page, which lists images chronologically, to find images that may be useful for current or future projects.

  • What is the outpainting feature in DALL-E 2, and how does it work?

    -The outpainting feature allows you to expand the edges of an image or replace areas of it. You can add to the edges or erase and regenerate parts of the image. Each time you use the 'generate' option, it costs a credit.

  • How can you legally use the images generated by DALL-E 2?

    -According to the terms of service, the images generated by DALL-E 2 are in the public domain. However, you cannot misrepresent that these images were made entirely by a human. For commercial use, it is recommended to clean up and refine the images to fix any mistakes and make them unique.

  • What is the recommended approach to using DALL-E 2 generated images for commercial purposes?

    -For commercial use, it is advised to not use the generated images as-is due to potential flaws and the fact that others can create similar images. Instead, use the generated images as rough concepts or inspiration, and then refine and complete them in a program like Photoshop to create a unique, finished product.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Generating AI Images with Dolly: An Overview

This paragraph introduces the AI image generator Dolly, emphasizing its ease of use and the process of generating images from text prompts. It explains the need for a free account to store generated images and the option to purchase credits for more images. The author discusses the cost-effectiveness of credits and shares personal experience with the platform, including the trial-and-error process of refining prompts to achieve desired results. It also touches on the limitations of the technology, such as the inability to generate certain types of images and the need for creativity in formulating prompts. The paragraph concludes with tips on specifying the style and properties of the desired image to guide Dolly more effectively.

05:00

📚 Managing and Editing Generated Images

The second paragraph delves into managing the generated images through Dolly's account features, including the organization of images into collections and the use of the history page. It discusses the outpainting feature for expanding images and the importance of providing enough of the source image to maintain the concept. The paragraph also covers the process of editing images, including the use of various tools in Photoshop CC 2023 to refine and clean up the generated images. It highlights the need to manually save edited images to avoid losing progress and the potential for combining generated objects or characters into a scene. Lastly, it addresses the legal use of generated images, noting their public domain status and the necessity of not misrepresenting them as solely human-made.

10:01

📘 Practical Use and Commercial Considerations of AI-Generated Art

The final paragraph focuses on the practical and commercial applications of AI-generated art. It advises against using generated images in their raw form for commercial purposes due to their inherent flaws and the possibility of others creating similar images. The author suggests using the images as rough concepts that require further refinement in a program like Photoshop. The paragraph also mentions the potential use of generated images as inspiration for handmade artwork, which can result in a unique piece of art. It concludes with a note on checking additional videos for more information on using AI-generated art in a commercial context.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡DALL-E 2

DALL-E 2 is an AI image generator developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning to create images from textual descriptions. It is capable of generating highly detailed and realistic images. In the video, DALL-E 2 is used to demonstrate how to generate images through a text prompt, which is the core technology being discussed and utilized.

💡Text Prompt

A text prompt is a descriptive input provided by a user to guide the AI in generating an image. It is crucial for the AI to understand what kind of image is desired. In the video, the text prompt is used to instruct DALL-E 2 on the type of image to create, such as 'an anteater drinking a Pepsi through a straw'.

💡Credits

In the context of the video, credits refer to the virtual currency within the DALL-E 2 platform that users can purchase to generate more images. They are used as a means to generate additional images once the free monthly allowance is exhausted. The video mentions that credits are quite reasonable in price and are necessary for continued use beyond the free tier.

💡Art Styles

Art styles refer to the various visual aesthetics that can be applied to the generated images. The video discusses how users can specify different art styles, such as 'impressionist' or 'watercolor', to influence the style of the generated images. This feature allows users to create images in the style of famous artists like Van Gogh or Salvador Dali.

💡Outpainting

Outpainting is a feature within DALL-E 2 that allows users to expand the edges of an image or replace certain areas. It is used when a generated image does not fully capture the intended scene. In the video, the presenter uses outpainting to extend the view of a can in an image, demonstrating how it can be used to refine the generated content.

💡Collections

Collections are a way for users to organize and categorize their generated images within their DALL-E 2 account. The video suggests creating collections to filter out unsatisfactory images and group the good ones together, making it easier to find and use images for future projects.

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💡Digital Art

Digital art refers to the type of image that is created using digital technology, as opposed to traditional physical media. In the video, the term is used in the context of specifying the type of image to generate with DALL-E 2, such as adding 'digital art' to the text prompt to indicate the desired style.

💡Public Domain

Public domain indicates that a work is not protected by copyright and can be freely used by the public. The video explains that the images generated by DALL-E 2 are considered to be in the public domain, allowing users to use them without restriction, although with the caveat that they cannot claim the images as solely human-made.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used image editing software that allows for advanced manipulation and enhancement of digital images. In the video, the presenter uses Photoshop to clean up and refine an image generated by DALL-E 2, demonstrating how the software can be used to fix flaws and improve the final product.

💡Commercial Use

Commercial use refers to the use of a product or service for monetary gain or business purposes. The video discusses the legal and practical considerations of using DALL-E 2 generated images for commercial purposes, suggesting that while the images are legally permissible for such use, they may require additional editing to be suitable for professional applications.

💡AI Art

AI Art is a form of creative expression that utilizes artificial intelligence in the creation process. The video is a tutorial on how to use DALL-E 2 to generate AI art, which involves using AI technology to produce images that can be used as a basis for further artistic creation or as standalone pieces.

Highlights

DALL-E 2 is an AI image generator that can create images from text prompts.

The service is easy to use and offers a free account option for storing generated images.

Users can purchase credits for more images if they exceed the free limit.

Credits are reasonably priced at about 10 cents each, providing a series of four images per credit.

Generated images may require refinement of the text prompt to achieve desired results.

DALL-E 2 will not generate images that are inappropriate or copyrighted.

Adding descriptors like 'digital art' can guide the style of the generated images.

Users can specify various art styles, colors, lighting, and backgrounds for their images.

DALL-E 2 provides hints to help users be more descriptive with their prompts.

Most generated images will have some mistakes, especially photographs.

Images can be saved, downloaded, and shared from the DALL-E 2 account.

Users can refine generated images by resubmitting the text prompt or using the variations feature.

DALL-E 2's outpainting feature allows users to expand images by adding to the edges or replacing areas.

Generated images can be edited and merged with other objects or characters.

Users should download their images to avoid losing progress as the editor does not save changes.

Images generated by DALL-E 2 are considered public domain but cannot be misrepresented as solely human-made.

For commercial use, it is recommended to clean up and refine the images to fix mistakes and enhance the concept.

Generated images can serve as a rough concept or inspiration for creating unique handmade artwork.