From Text to Texture: Generate Visuals from Descriptions with AI Tools

Creating images used to be a daunting task that demanded the expertise of a designer or the talent of an artist who could sketch every detail by hand. But thanks to the advances in neural networks, the process of creating pictures has become much easier and faster. Now you can simply give a text description and the neural network will generate an image based on the words, with remarkable accuracy. In this article, we will explore popular AI-based tools and platforms that can create pictures from text.

The technology behind this amazing feat is a combination of computer vision and natural language processing. Neural networks that use generative-adversarial network (GAN) algorithms are trained on huge datasets that contain pairs of descriptions and matching images. Through this training, the algorithms learn how to associate text and visual features, enabling them to comprehend the text and produce relevant pictures.

Whether you are looking for colourful and unique images without breaking the bank or you want to access more advanced and professional features, there is a neural network service that suits your needs. Free services offer you the opportunity to generate images at no cost, while paid services give you more benefits, such as higher quality of images, unlimited generation and downloading.

Are you ready to discover the amazing possibilities of these neural network services? Let’s dive in and see what they can do!

Dall-E 2

Dall-E 2 is a powerful service that generates pictures from text in English, created by the American artificial intelligence research lab OpenAI with the support of Microsoft in 2021. The neural network offers a free trial that allows you to create a limited number of images per month; to unlock the full potential, you need to pay $15.

With Dall-E 2, you can create pictures in high quality and resolution and customise them with a built-in editor that lets you add frames, change the colour of elements, etc. It also allows you to craft graphics in different styles: emoji, classic painting, realism and others.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;

• Interface language: English;

• Registration: required.


Drawbacks:

• Some results may be imperfect – for instance, complex scenes may lack details or light and shadow may not be applied correctly;
• Dall-E 2 may sometimes misinterpret attributes – for example, the service may mix up “draw something above an object” with “draw something under an object”.

Imagine

Imagine is a great tool launched by Google in 2022 that combines artificial intelligence with creativity to produce captivating artworks. Whether you’re an artist, designer or simply curious about AI-generated art, it offers a range of features and options.

Imagine employs various AI algorithms, including DALL-E 2, VQGAN+CLIP, Stable Diffusion and Neural Style Transfer. These algorithms transform text prompts into visually stunning images. This platform provides access to an array of machine learning models, allowing users to experiment with different styles (sci-fi, surrealism, realism, etc.) and techniques. It also features a gallery of generated images to inspire you.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• Users can explore Imagine’s basic functionalities at no cost, but it comes with ads and watermarks on the generated images.
• To access photorealistic and high-resolution images, users need to purchase additional credits.

Midjourney

Midjourney, developed by an American company of the same name in early 2022, offers an intriguing neural network experience. To access the free beta-testing mode, you must first register on Discord. Once registered, accept Midjourney’s invitation and craft a prompt in English.

The service excels at creating high-quality, hyper-realistic images in various styles. The key lies in the precision of your description – the more accurate, the better the results. Within the Midjourney Discord group, you can explore captivating images generated by fellow users. Keep in mind that there are no editing tools, so it’s advisable to compose your prompt as detailed as possible.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• In order to achieve optimal results you need to compose the most accurate prompt possible. In some cases, it might be better to involve ChatGPT to refine your description.
• Registration and usage are limited to Discord.
• While the free version gives a taste of Midjourney’s capabilities, you can still find the features insufficient to fulfil your task.

WOMBO Dream

Crafted by the Canadian studio WOMBO in the autumn of 2021, the Dream app invites you to a unique creative journey. To conjure an image, you simply need to select a resolution and provide a prompt in English. Although the built-in picture editor is currently in beta mode, it allows for detailed 200-character descriptions. The entire generation process takes less than a minute.

Free version has some limitations: you can create only one variant and the resolutions are restricted to square or rectangular formats. However, fear not – the generated images can be swiftly downloaded with a single click. The neural network behind Dream comes equipped with training tips and guides, making it a user-friendly tool.

What’s more intriguing? Dream opens the door to NFT creation once you link a cryptocurrency wallet.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, mobile app for iOS and Android, official website;

• Interface language: English;

• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• During the trial period, the number of generated options remains limited.
• Occasionally, the service stumbles when creating an image, struggling to fully grasp the given task.
• To unlock Dream’s full potential, mastering the art of composing precise prompts is essential.

Starryai

Launched in 2023, Starryai is a neural network that lets you generate images based on text descriptions or even existing pictures. While the basic service is free, with 5 daily credits, creating more artwork requires a paid subscription. However, you can earn additional credits by completing tasks like promoting the service on social media.

Using Starryai is straightforward: simply write a prompt in English and choose your desired artistic style, ranging from classic art to photorealism and even cyberpunk aesthetics. The AI then generates four variations of your image. If you're not quite satisfied, you can use the "Evolve" function to refine the results further. Additionally, you can explore the works of other users for inspiration.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, mobile app for iOS and Android, official website;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• If your text description is unclear or ambiguous, the AI might struggle to produce the desired result.
• Free version limits you to one image per day, with each image costing 1 credit.
• When using a reference image, you can't specify how closely the generated artwork should resemble it.

Artbreeder

Created in 2018 by developer and entrepreneur Joel Simon, Artbreeder uses the power of machine learning to fuel artistic expression. This collaborative platform, developed alongside the US-based Morphogen studio, utilises StyleGAN and BigGAN models to generate a diverse range of visuals.

Artbreeder goes beyond simply drawing portraits. Users can create landscapes, paintings and even explore other artistic categories. The platform's functionality extends to collage creation and the ability to seamlessly blend elements from different images.

While facial portraits remain Artbreeder's strength, results in other categories maintain a good quality standard. Upon registering, users gain access to a library showcasing completed works by the community.

It's important to note that Artbreeder operates under a freemium model, offering 10 free credits per month.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• Getting the exact image you want, like a specific landscape, can be tricky. You might need to play around with a lot of sliders (e.g. adjusting the amount of water, trees and sky).
• The interface can be a bit confusing at first, especially for new users.
• While Artbreeder is great at some things, not all the images it creates are perfect or super realistic.

Deep AI

Let's explore Deep AI, an image generator launched in 2014 by its namesake American company. It's open to everyone, offering a free version with a limited number of image credits and styles like art, fantasy, cyberpunk and animal themes. To unlock more styles, there's a $4.99 monthly plan.

Creating an image is simple: write a description in English, choose your style and hit "Generate." While there's no editor, you can use the "quality improvement" button to refine your results. You can also check out the library of pre-made images for inspiration available on the platform.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, mobile app for iOS and Android, official website;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• Sometimes, your image might not quite be what you envisioned, like a girl with three legs or a monster face.
• As with many freemium services, the free version has restrictions.
• Crafting clear and effective descriptions takes practice.

Night Cafe

NightCafe Creator, developed by the eponymous Australian studio and its owner Angus Russell in 2019, is an AI-powered art platform that lets you turn your imagination into stunning visuals.

It's like having a free, pocket-sized artist at your disposal. Every day, you get 5 credits to create unique artworks. Want more? Simply complete tasks like subscribing to their newsletter to earn extra credits.

Here's the magic: you simply write a prompt, choose an artistic style (from anime to hyperrealism and more!) and Night Cafe's AI does the rest. In under a minute, it generates not just one, but several images based on your description, even throwing in a collage for good measure.

Feeling picky? No problem! For a small fee or by using your earned credits, you can fine-tune the results, making them brighter, sharper or however you like. Plus, you can look through a vast library of creations by other users through the "Explore" tab in your profile, getting inspiration for your next masterpiece.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, official website;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• While the free version is great for getting started, you'll have a limit on the number of images you can generate.
• Matching your description with the perfect style can be tricky. You wouldn't want your portrait to come out with crossed eyes, right?
• The AI might surprise you with its interpretations, even with the same prompt and style. So, be prepared to experiment and have fun!

PixAI.Art

PixAI allows you to create anime characters, portraits and even desktop wallpapers. Choose your style, whether it's capturing a character from your favourite anime or working from a reference image you upload. PixAI even offers an endless gallery of inspiring artwork on its main page for a little creative spark.

The fun part? It's (almost) free! You get 3,000 credits every day to use towards generating your own masterpieces. Just type in keywords in English, choose random generation or even create your own comics. You can control the resolution and generate single images or sets of four. Feeling like a pro? PixAI even has a built-in editor so you can erase unwanted elements or improve your creation with a brush.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, official website;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• PixAI can sometimes misinterpret your requests, so be prepared to adjust your keywords for the perfect outcome.
• While the results are impressive, they may not always be photorealistic. Expect some quirks with proportions, directions and object movement.
• Unfortunately, there's not much information available about the developers behind PixAI.

Problembo

Problembo is a multi-use platform that upgrades images, removes unwanted items and watermarks and creates new images from your descriptions or chosen art styles. Developed in 2023, its neural network is cutting-edge.

The service is free with a twist: stay active and earn $0.6 daily, which you can only spend within Problembo. If you want to go ad-free or increase the number of images you can make, there’s a $5 monthly package available.

For image requests, detail is your friend. Describe what you want in English and Problembo will give you four different versions to pick from. In the settings, you can list minus words to exclude certain things from your image, choose a style like MidJourney, fantasy or realistic and set the image resolution.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English, Spanish;
• Registration: required.


Drawbacks:

• Limitation on the number of styles available.
• Image generation takes about 5 minutes, which might be slower than in other services.
• Possible problems with proportions and realism in generated images.

Stable Diffusion

Stable Diffusion, crafted by the CompVis Group at the University of Munich in 2022, is a neural network that’s ready for action and open to all users.

To start creating, simply input a prompt in English. The service offers a prompt generator to help you explore and test its capabilities. Stable Diffusion will then present you with four realistic images. One of its standout features is that it doesn’t require you to sign up. Plus, it’s big on privacy – your personal info and images aren’t stored.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, official website;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: not required.

Drawbacks:

• Sometimes the images might not look quite right, like when eyes don’t line up.
• The neural network may crop images unexpectedly, so you might get half a person instead of the whole.
• Getting the perfect result might take a few tries, so the more detail you put into your prompt, the better.

Craiyon

Craiyon, formerly known as DALL-E mini, is an accessible neural network platform open for registration to anyone. It operates on a conditional free basis, with the developers highlighting the significant computing power required, hence the reliance on subscription fees and ads for revenue. Additionally, supporters can contribute through donations, such as purchasing T-shirts featuring prints of generated images.

To create an image, simply input keywords in English and select a preferred style from options like Art, Drawing, Photo or None. You also have the choice to specify minus words for excluding certain elements. The neural network will then generate nine different image variations for you.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, official website;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• Free version has its limits.
• Realism of images can vary, with occasional issues like merged figures resembling “Siamese twins” or faces that lack detail.

Lexica

Lexica, powered by Stable Diffusion algorithms, is a neural network that lets you either search for images using keywords or create new ones based on your descriptions. Its homepage showcases a continuous stream of artwork. Lexica is known for producing artistic images that can rival those from MidJourney in quality.

The service is essentially free, allowing you to make up to 100 images monthly. It’s recognized for its quick generation times and the ability to fine-tune results. To get started, you’ll need to write a prompt, add minus words if there are things you want to leave out and choose the image resolution. Once you hit the Generate button, you’ll get four different options to choose from.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• Images may have too much contrast.
• Portraits won’t look like real photos, so they can’t be mistaken for actual people.
• Sometimes, the service might not nail the accuracy and proportions and it might misunderstand your description, like drawing a butterfly or an airplane when you wanted a dragon.

PlaygroundAI

PlaygroundAI is a neural network that turns text descriptions into images and offers a library of user-generated content. It’s free to a point: you can get up to 1,000 images daily. You have the freedom to start from scratch or use a reference image. It boasts a variety of styles like realism, anime, photo portraits and fantasy from online games, among others. You’re in control of the resolution, the number of images and the quality settings. Plus, it comes with an editor for tweaking your final piece – crop, remove backgrounds or adjust brightness and contrast as you see fit.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• After the first 50 free images each day, the detail quality drops.
• The highest resolution available is 1024x1024 pixels.
• There’s no privacy for your creations; all generated images are public and visible to everyone.

This X Does Not Exist

This X Does Not Exist is a collection of AI-driven websites known for creating a variety of random, yet often realistic, content. The service kicked off with This Person Does Not Exist by Philip Wong in 2019, who’s known for his role as a software engineer and Uber’s co-founder.

Since its inception, the service has grown to generate more than just faces – it now includes cats, songs, scientific articles, and more. Various developers have contributed to different iterations of This X Does Not Exist, with some choosing to remain anonymous.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• Content, while realistic, can sometimes include odd or illogical details.
• The neural networks’ need for substantial data can spark privacy concerns and the potential for misuse by third parties.
• Users don’t get to dictate the specifics of what’s generated.

CF SPARK

CF Spark is a tool from Creative Fabrica, a graphics arts platform based in the Netherlands. It offers a variety of features like creating images from text, writing assistance, animations, custom templates, colouring and editing existing photos with references.

The neural network is free to use, but if you want faster image generation, you can purchase paid credits. Once you sign up, you’ll have access to a library of works created by the community. CF Spark is known for making bright and quite realistic images in various themes and styles. To get an image, you just need to write a description in English and choose a style, such as illustration, painting, colouring or watercolour.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• The interface can be complex and you might encounter errors if the prompt is not clear.
• You have limited control over the final results.
• The speed of generating images on the free plan is slower.

Big Sleep

Big Sleep is a neural network that’s freely available and developed by Google. It’s designed to create images through advanced deep learning and generative techniques, drawing on the StyleGAN framework known for producing lifelike faces.

With Big Sleep, you can start with an image and the system will tweak the pixels to make the new image look more like the original. This feature is great for making all sorts of images, from unique and artistic to abstract and scenic.

However, Big Sleep needs strong computer power, like GPUs, for learning and image creation. This means it’s not as accessible to everyone, since not all users have the necessary tech.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• To get what you want out of Big Sleep, you’ll need to adjust and fine-tune it.
• The program is complex and generally requires a good amount of tech know-how.
• The outcomes can be unpredictable – you might be surprised by what you get.

AIimages

AIimages is a creation by a Munich-based team, including a game developer named Sunia and Lincoln Stein. It’s an open-source tool under the MIT licence, available on Github for anyone interested in generating images through text.

The software is free and designed for Windows users. It requires Windows 10, an Nvidia graphics card from the 1XXX, 20XX or 30XX series and at least 12 GB of free disk space. To use it, you need to download the installation file, unzip it on your PC and you’re set to start creating as many images as you want, even for commercial purposes.

Details:

• Platform: mobile app, Windows PC programme;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• You’ll need to install the software on your computer.
• It requires a significant amount of disk space, starting at 12 GB.
• The image details might not always be sharp and you could encounter some proportion errors.

Accomplice

Accomplice, launched by entrepreneur Adam Howell in September 2021, aims to refresh the world of stock images. This neural network platform empowers you to craft and modify logos, photos and graphics in an array of artistic styles, such as coloured pencil, isometric, children’s illustration, Pablo Picasso and pixel art.

The service operates on a freemium model, offering 20 complimentary credits with certain project and cloud storage limitations. For those seeking more, subscriptions begin at $9. To create, select a style, compose a detailed prompt, exclude elements with minus words and decide how many images you want. You can then refine your image using the built-in editor to crop, overlay text or add graphics.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• Sign-up process could be smoother; currently, Gmail accounts can’t be used for registration.
• User interface may take some getting used to.
• Service might not always grasp the nuances of your prompts. For instance, if you ask for an elephant playing the piano, you might just get the piano.

Novel AI

Novel AI, developed by the American company Anlatan in 2021, is a neural network that specialises in crafting fictional narratives and generating corresponding images.

To use it, you’ll need to write a prompt in English and add funds to your account. The platform includes a layer editor, customisation of resolution and screen orientation. While text generation is free, creating images requires a paid plan, which starts at $10 per month.

Details:

• Platform: browser version, official website;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• There’s no option for quick sign-up using Gmail.
• Service doesn’t offer a free or trial version for image generation.
• The interface may be complex for new users.

Dream Studio

Dream Studio, crafted by Stability.ai, uses the Stable Diffusion model to empower you to create and tweak images in a variety of styles.

To bring your vision to life, simply input a description in English, sprinkle in some keywords, choose the resolution and decide how many pictures you’d like. Style options are plentiful, including photography, anime and comics. Upon joining, you’re greeted with 100 credits to start experimenting. Plus, the Community Dream Studio is a gallery where you can draw inspiration from others’ creations.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• The editing toolkit could use more depth.
• Complimentary credit system caps your creative spree; once depleted, a paid plan is necessary.
• Artistic precision varies, with some images not quite hitting the mark.

Deep Dream

Deep Dream is a platform that lets you create vibrant, realistic and imaginative pictures from text prompts. It’s a community-centric service, allowing you to share your creations and draw inspiration from an “infinite” feed of works displayed on the main page.

To craft an image, you’ll need to provide a rich, detailed prompt and select a style. Uploading a reference image is optional. The service operates on a paid model, gifting new users 20 energy points as a welcome gesture. However, these points fall short of covering the cost of a single image.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• The interface is complex and may require some time to navigate and understand.
• There’s limited information available about the developers and their other projects.
• There isn’t a free version of the service and the energy point system and pricing structure can be confusing.

Replicate

Replicate is a text-to-image generation platform created by an American machine learning company. It’s versatile, allowing for image creation from text, text from images, photo editing and video creation. The service is initially free, letting you make around 100 images, after which a paid subscription is necessary. The Explore section showcases user-generated content. However, to use Replicate, Python programming skills are essential, as it operates through code.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• The quality of output is hit-or-miss, with a reported success rate of about 50%.
• Free version is time-limited.
• The interface is complex, catering more to those with programming expertise and a solid set of technical skills.

AI2image

AI2image is a platform designed to generate images perfect for websites, blogs and social media. It offers a playground of libraries for colours, backgrounds, patterns, angles and positions to customise your results.

To dive in, choose the type of image you need, like a blog banner or a LinkedIn post design. Then, mix and match from the colour and background libraries, pen a test description and hit the generate button. While AI2image is a paid service starting at $7, newcomers can explore with a 7-day free trial.

Details:

• Platform: browser version;
• Interface language: English;
• Registration: required.

Drawbacks:

• There’s no permanent free option available.
• The outcomes may sometimes be different from what you expect.

Conclusion

Innovative algorithms and deep learning models have opened the door to a new era of creativity, where unique and lifelike images can spring from mere text. We’ve explored a variety of neural networks that empower individuals to turn simple words into stunning visual art. These text-to-image services revolutionise the way we create visual content, enhancing user engagement and bringing concepts to life in vibrant and memorable ways.