How to get started with Midjourney image-generating AI software

This Midjourney exploration was sponsored by the RI STEAM Center.

All the AI image generator options can be confusing. If you're completely new to it, here's how to delve in with one of the options.

First off, there's no free Midjourney trial. Don't even get me started on the inequity of access... But that's where we are. To try out Midjourney, you need to pay for the subscription-based model.

BlueWillow was a free option for a while, but now LimeWire acquired BlueWillow. You can make around 10 for free. The prompts are easy on the LimeWire site – the results using Blue Willow are, at this moment, less accurately following prompts, more likely to have unintentional wonky cubist output, and less finished looking. Here's a comparison between Blue Willow and Midjourney using the same prompt: 

"happy fluffy black cat in sunlight in autumn leaves"

Midjourney version

BlueWillow version (they only give one per credit)

Aside: LimeWire has a skeevy history. I'm unsure what's different in this era – I thought it had been shut down. I guess it's all cleaned up now? I sure wouldn't want that brand name, though...

Midjourney on Discord

Step 1: Discord

Midjourney uses the Discord platform to operate. While there is a Discord desktop app, I use the web browser version.

What is Discord?

Discord is a free social media app/platform. So far, there are no ads. There's a subscription-based model which allows users to upload larger file sizes. That doesn't affect the AI image generators, so you shouldn't need to pay for anything on Discord now. They make their profit on subscriptions and game sales.

To set up a Discord account, go to Discord.com and set up an account using your email address, come up with a username, and you're ready for step 2.


Step 2: Midjourney


Now that you have your Discord, you can navigate to Midjourney.com

Midjourney.com shows a beta option button and a sign-in button. I'd use the beta button because it doesn't require your private Discord information. Instead, it invites you to the Midjourney server on Discord.


Step 3: Subscription to Midjourney

Navigate to a #Newbie channel by clicking on one of the newbie threads in the menu on the left.


Type /subscribe into the prompt box at the bottom, then press enter. Then, annoyingly, press enter again. 

type /subscribe command in chat box 

A little message alert will appear on the left, and you can click on it. Now, you're chatting exclusively with the Midjourney bot.

Do all your prompts in an exclusive chat with the Midjourney bot. If you don't, you'll find yourself wading through hundreds of other people's prompts, and you still may never find what you were looking for.

They make it look like a free trial option exists, but they will take you through all the steps and then tell you they no longer offer this option due to demand. If you did that, click Subscribe (green button). Otherwise, follow the directions below.



You can start with Basic and upgrade. If you want to use it often, I recommend Standard and switching to /relaxed mode.




Step 4: Finding your starting point

Click on a #newbie chat in the menu on the left. See the first image in Step 3 to see where that chat is.


Step 5: Get in a direct chat with Midjourney

Click on the Midjourney Chat Bot. 

One huge benefit of doing all this while in direct chat with the Midjourney Chatbot is that you keep track of all your images.

Click again on the Midjourney Bot icon (little sailboat in the white circle)


Click on the green Send Message button

Now you are in a direct chat with the Midjourney Bot, and the fun begins!

Step 6:

Type /imagine into the prompt box at the bottom, press enter, then keep typing in the box (the darker one inside the first box) and try some things out!



(If you did the Standard subscription plan, I recommend you start by entering the /relax command so you don't use up your hours)

type /relax to avoid using up all your processing hours

Step 7: Choose an image to work with (could be all) 

click on U1, U2, U3, or U4 to enlarge
V1, V2, V3, or V4 to get variations on your selected image


Step 8: Download!


Click on the image you like, and you'll see it larger. Then click the "open in browser" option, and you'll get a fully printable version. Right click and save to your desktop.

At 1.6 MB, and 1024 x 1024 pixels, that's a photo resolution of approximately 4 x4 inches


Copyrights

Some image generators do not allow commercial use of their output. Midjourney does allow commercial use, but it's a standard illustration license. In other words, you hire the illustrator (Midjourney), and, using prompts, they return something you can now use for, say, your book cover, but they retain the copyright.

Aside: This is a standard illustrator's deal that I, and most other illustrators, make all the time. I make you an image for your project, you pay me, and you use it for the intended purposes, but I keep the original and can use it how I deem fit. Letting the customer buy usage, copyright, and the original would cost them two to three times, or more, what commercial usage-only rights costs them.

(Remember, this is time-stamped information; everything can change daily.)


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