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What are reference images?

Reference images are photos or illustrations you upload to guide the AI during image generation. They help the AI understand:
  • Style: Artistic style, color palette, mood
  • Composition: Layout, framing, perspective
  • Subject details: Character appearance, object features, textures
  • Atmosphere: Lighting, environment, overall feel

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When to use reference images

Reference images are particularly useful for:
  • Character consistency: Maintaining the same character across multiple images
  • Style matching: Replicating a specific artistic style
  • Composition guidance: Achieving a particular layout or framing
  • Color palette: Matching specific color schemes
  • Texture and detail: Preserving specific textures or details

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Uploading reference images

1

Prepare your image

Choose a clear, high-quality reference image:
  • Good resolution (at least 512x512 pixels recommended)
  • Clear subject matter
  • Relevant to your prompt
  • Appropriate file format (JPEG, PNG)
2

Upload in the interface

In the image generation interface:
  1. Open the References panel in your session
  2. Drag-and-drop or click to upload (up to five stored per session)
  3. Wait for upload to complete
  4. Verify the image appears and select up to three before generating
3

Write your prompt

Combine your reference image with a descriptive prompt:
  • Describe what you want to change or modify
  • Specify elements to keep from the reference
  • Add details not present in the reference
4

Generate

Click generate. The AI will use both your prompt and reference image to create the result.

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Best practices

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Choosing reference images

High quality: Use clear, well-lit reference images for best results.
Relevant content: Choose references that match what you’re trying to create.
Simple compositions: References with clear, uncluttered compositions work best.

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Writing prompts with references

Be specific: Describe what to keep from the reference and what to change.
Mention the reference: Explicitly call out elements you want preserved.
Add new details: Use the prompt to add elements not in the reference image.

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Use case examples

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Character consistency

Goal: Generate multiple images of the same character
  1. Upload a clear character reference
  2. Use prompts like: “Same character in [new scenario], maintaining appearance from reference”
  3. Generate multiple variations

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Style matching

Goal: Match a specific artistic style
  1. Upload an image in the desired style
  2. Prompt: “New subject in the style of the reference image”
  3. The AI will adapt the style to your new subject

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Composition guidance

Goal: Achieve a specific layout
  1. Upload reference with desired composition
  2. Prompt: “Different subject but same composition and framing as reference”
  3. Generate with new subject in similar layout

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Limits and behavior

  • Uploads per session: Store up to five reference images in a session.
  • Selections per run: Attach up to three references to a single generation request (platform limit).
  • Reusing outputs: Recently generated images appear alongside uploads so you can immediately reuse them as references.
  • No strength sliders: References act as guidance only; there are no blending or weight controls in the UI.

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Limitations and considerations

Not exact copying: Reference images guide the AI but don’t produce exact copies. The AI interprets and adapts the reference.
Copyright: Only use reference images you have rights to use. Don’t use copyrighted material without permission.
Quality matters: Low-quality or unclear reference images may not produce good results.

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Tips for better results

Combine multiple references: Use up to three to balance pose, style, or composition cues.
Iterate: Try different reference images or combinations to find what works best.
Use with prompts: Reference images work best when combined with descriptive prompts.

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Troubleshooting

  • Verify the image uploaded successfully
  • Check that the model supports reference images
  • Ensure your prompt references the image
  • Try a more specific prompt
  • Use a clearer reference image
  • Adjust reference strength if available
  • Experiment with different models
  • Check file format (JPEG, PNG supported)
  • Verify file size isn’t too large
  • Try a different image
  • Check your internet connection

Writing Prompts

Learn how to write effective prompts when using references.

Settings Guide

Understand reference image settings and controls.

Model Selection

Learn which models handle reference images best.

Best Practices

More tips for getting great results.