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Create your first AI-generated image

Get started with Open Canva and create your first image in just a few minutes. This guide will walk you through the entire process from account setup to generating your first image.
1

Sign up or log in

Open Canva is invite-only. To sign up you’ll need:
  • A valid invite code
  • Your email address and name
  • A secure password

Account Setup Guide

Learn how invites and verification work.
2

Navigate to the generation interface

Once logged in, you’ll see the main dashboard. To start generating images:
  1. Click on “New Session” or select an existing session from the sidebar
  2. You’ll be taken to the image generation interface
Sessions help you organize your work. Each session can contain multiple image generations.
3

Enter your prompt

In the prompt input field, describe the image you want to create. Be specific and descriptive:Good examples:
  • “A serene mountain landscape at sunset with snow-capped peaks and a calm lake in the foreground”
  • “A futuristic cityscape at night with neon lights and flying cars, cyberpunk style”
  • “A cozy coffee shop interior with warm lighting, wooden furniture, and plants”
Less effective:
  • “A picture”
  • “Something cool”

Writing Effective Prompts

Learn advanced techniques for writing prompts that produce better results.
4

Choose models and aspect ratio

Pick the AI models you want to run (up to four at once) and select an aspect ratio. Open Canva maps aspect ratios to supported image sizes for you.
Start with a single model and the default 1:1 or 16:9 ratio, then try more models for quick comparisons.

Model Selection Guide

Learn about available models and when to use each.
5

Add optional helpers

  • Reference images: Attach up to three references to guide the result (you can upload up to five per session and reuse them).
  • Prompt enhancement: Use the prompt assistant to expand or refine your text before generating.

Understanding Settings

See how the available controls affect generations.
6

Generate your image

Click the “Generate” button to start the image creation process. You’ll see:
  1. A status indicator while each selected model runs
  2. Real-time updates when a model finishes or fails
  3. One image per selected model in your session history
Generation typically takes 10-30 seconds per model depending on complexity and queue load.
7

Review and iterate

Once your image is generated:
  • View the result: The image will appear in your session
  • Regenerate: Try again with the same or different settings
  • Save: Your images are automatically saved to your session
  • Download: Click to download your image
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Try variations of your prompt or different models to see what works best.

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Example: Your first image

Let’s create a simple example together:
  1. Prompt: “A peaceful forest scene with tall pine trees, dappled sunlight, and a winding path”
  2. Model: Use the default model (or try Flux for more detail)
  3. Settings: Keep default settings for your first try
  4. Generate: Click generate and wait for your image
Congratulations! You’ve created your first AI-generated image with Open Canva.

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Next steps

Now that you’ve created your first image, explore these features:

Reference Images

Upload reference images to guide the AI and achieve more consistent results.

Multi-Model Generation

Generate images with multiple models simultaneously to compare results.

Session Organization

Organize your work with folders and keep track of your generations.

Dashboard Analytics

Track your usage and see which models work best for you.

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Tips for better results

Be specific: The more detail you include in your prompt, the better the results. Describe colors, style, mood, and composition.
Experiment with models: Different models excel at different types of images. Try multiple models to find your favorites.
Use reference images: Upload reference images to guide the AI toward your vision, especially for consistent character or style work.

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Common questions

Generation typically takes 10-30 seconds depending on the model and settings. More complex images or higher quality settings may take longer.
Currently, Open Canva focuses on generation. You can regenerate with different prompts or settings, but image editing features are not yet available.
This depends on your account type and any usage limits. Check your dashboard to see your current usage and limits.
Generated images are typically in PNG or JPEG format. You can download them in high resolution.

Full Documentation

Explore our complete image generation guide for advanced features and techniques.