Midjourney CREF Deep Dive | Consistent Character Ultimate Guide | Midjourney v6 Tips
TLDRMidjourney has introduced a groundbreaking update with the character reference feature (CF), which, unlike style reference, aims to match characters rather than visual aesthetics. This is particularly useful for visual storytelling where a character appears in various scenes or outfits. The video explains how to use CF by adding the --CF parameter followed by the image URL of the character. It works best with Midjourney's own images and captures the overall visual characteristics, though not exact details. A major advantage is the ability to place the same character in multiple scenes and poses, enhancing visual narratives. The character weight parameter (D-CW) allows control over how closely Midjourney adheres to the character's clothing and hairstyle, with a range from 0 to 100. Lowering the character weight can help change the character's outfit or pose. The video also covers techniques like transferring characters to different visual styles, combining character reference with style reference for increased visual cohesiveness, and experimenting with non-human characters and abstract patterns. It concludes with tips for creating effective character references, emphasizing the importance of using Midjourney-created images with clear and distinct facial features for the best results.
Takeaways
- π¨ **Character Reference Feature**: Midjourney introduced a new feature that allows matching the character in generated images, which is particularly useful for storytelling and visual narratives with recurring characters.
- π **Usage Basics**: To use character reference, include a prompt with the `--CF` parameter followed by the URL of the character image. This helps Midjourney to generate images that visually match the character's appearance.
- π **Character Details**: While the feature captures the character's overall look, it doesn't copy specific details like clothing designs. Including these details in the text prompt can improve accuracy.
- π§ββοΈ **Multiple Scenes and Poses**: The character reference allows placing the same character in various scenes and poses, enhancing the creation of visual narratives.
- π **Character Weight (CW)**: The `--D-CW` parameter controls how closely Midjourney adheres to the reference character's clothing and hairstyle, with a range from 0 (only face) to 100 (full match).
- π **Style Transfer**: Character reference can be used to transfer characters into different visual styles, such as oil paintings or comic book art, by combining it with creative prompting.
- π **Combining References**: Character reference can be combined with Midjourney's style reference feature to maintain both character similarity and a consistent visual style across image generations.
- π **Non-Human Characters**: The feature is not limited to humans; it can also be used with non-human characters or abstract patterns to create unique character-like entities.
- π₯ **Multiple Characters**: For scenes with multiple characters, descriptive text in the prompt is crucial to help Midjourney correctly map each character's position and features.
- πΌοΈ **Image References**: Using image references at the beginning of a prompt can guide character pose and composition, aiding in achieving the desired outcome.
- π **Best Practices**: For the best results, use a character reference image created by Midjourney with clear and distinct facial features. Multiple poses can reinforce key details.
- π§ **Experimentation**: Experimentation is key to finding the right workflow with character reference, as it allows for nuanced techniques and creative possibilities.
Q & A
What is the character reference feature in Midjourney?
-The character reference feature in Midjourney is a tool that allows users to match the character in their prompts to a specific character from an image URL provided. It is particularly useful for storytelling with visual narratives where the same character appears in different scenes or outfits.
How do you use the character reference (CF) parameter in a prompt?
-To use the character reference parameter, you type in your prompt, then add the '--CF' parameter, followed by a space, and paste in the URL of the image that contains the character you want to use.
What is the character weight parameter (D-CW) and how does it work?
-The character weight parameter (D-CW) is used to control how closely Midjourney adheres to the clothing and sometimes hairstyle of the reference character. It ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being the default that tries to fully match the character's likeness and clothing. A lower character weight allows for more flexibility in changing the character's outfit while retaining the facial features.
How can you create visual narratives with the same characters using CF?
-By using CF, you can place the same character into multiple scenes and poses. Midjourney will generate results that visually match the appearance and likeness of the character, making it easier to create a cohesive visual narrative.
What are some techniques for using character reference with different visual styles?
-You can prompt for stylized renditions of your character, such as oil paintings, vintage photographs, or comic book art. By combining character reference with creative prompting, you can explore your character through vastly different style lenses.
How can you combine character reference with Midjourney's style reference feature?
-Combining character reference with style reference allows you to maintain both a similar character and visual style across image generations. You can use style reference images to apply a cinematic movie style, an abstract geometric style, or a specific illustration style to your character.
What are some tips for using character reference with non-human subjects or abstract patterns?
-You can use any image as your character input, including non-human characters or abstract patterns and shapes. Midjourney will translate the core shapes and features of the reference into new character-like entities, which can be unique and imaginative.
How can you handle scenes with multiple characters using character reference?
-Handling scenes with multiple characters can be done by using the entire image as the character reference and including descriptive text in the prompt to specify each character and their positioning. Alternatively, you can use Midjourney's pan feature or the very region method to swap in each character's face individually.
What makes a good character reference image for Midjourney?
-A good character reference image for Midjourney is one that was made by Midjourney itself, as using non-Midjourney images can lead to more distortion and inconsistencies. The image should have a clearly defined subject with distinct facial features, and it can be helpful to have the character in multiple poses.
How can you use image references to guide character pose and composition?
-Image references placed at the beginning of a prompt can guide character pose and composition. You can include multiple CF URLs to reinforce key details, separated by spaces, or use a single image URL that shows the character in the desired pose.
What is the significance of the character reference feature for creators working with visual narratives?
-The character reference feature is significant for creators working with visual narratives as it allows for consistency in character representation across different scenes, enhancing the storytelling experience and making it easier to maintain continuity in character design.
How does the character reference feature impact the creative possibilities in Midjourney?
-The character reference feature expands creative possibilities by enabling users to maintain character consistency while exploring different visual styles and narratives. It provides a more personalized and controlled approach to generating images, which can be particularly useful for artists and storytellers.
Outlines
π Introduction to Character Reference in Mid Journey
The video introduces a new feature in Mid Journey called 'character reference,' which is designed to match the character's visual appearance rather than a style aesthetic. The feature is beneficial for creating visual narratives with consistent characters across different scenes. The basic usage involves typing a prompt, adding the --CF parameter, and pasting the URL of the character image. The character reference works best with images created by Mid Journey and captures the overall visual characteristics. It allows for the same character to be placed in various scenes and poses. The character weight parameter (D-CW) can be adjusted to control how closely Mid Journey adheres to the character's clothing and hairstyle. The video also demonstrates how to use these features on Mid Journey's website.
π¨ Techniques and Applications of Character Reference
The video explores various techniques and applications of the character reference feature. It discusses how to transfer a character to different visual styles, such as oil paintings or comic book art, using creative prompting. The character reference can be combined with Mid Journey's style reference feature to maintain both character similarity and a consistent visual style across image generations. The feature isn't limited to human subjects; it can also be used with non-human characters or abstract patterns. For scenes with multiple characters, the video suggests methods like using the entire image as a character reference with descriptive text, utilizing the pan feature, custom zoom, and the very region method for swapping faces. It emphasizes the importance of using a clear and distinct Mid Journey-made character reference image for the best results and provides tips for achieving different poses and compositions.
π£ Conclusion and Engagement Invitation
The video concludes by encouraging viewers to experiment with the character reference feature and share their techniques, questions, or tips in the comments section. It highlights that while the feature may not be perfect, it offers a significant creative potential in its initial version. The presenter expresses hope that the viewers found the video helpful and prompts them to like, subscribe, and engage with the content.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Character Reference
π‘CF Parameter
π‘Character Weight (D-CW)
π‘Visual Narratives
π‘Style Reference
π‘Non-Human Characters
π‘Multiple Characters
π‘Image References
π‘Experimentation
π‘Midjourney's Anime Trained Model (Nii)
π‘Pan and Zoom
Highlights
Midjourney has released a game-changing update with the character reference feature.
Character reference aims to match character appearance rather than visual aesthetic.
The feature is beneficial for storytelling with visual narratives featuring recurring characters.
To use character reference, include the --CF parameter followed by the URL of the character image in your prompt.
Midjourney prioritizes capturing the overall visual characteristics of the character.
Character reference works best with images created by Midjourney.
The character weight parameter (D-CW) controls adherence to the character's clothing and hairstyle.
Using CF allows for the same character to be placed in multiple scenes and poses.
Character weight can be adjusted for more accuracy in details such as shirt style.
Lowering character weight can help with changing a character's outfit or pose.
Midjourney's website allows for uploading a character reference image directly in the Imagine bar.
Character reference can be combined with style reference for increased visual cohesiveness.
Non-human characters and abstract patterns can also be used as character references.
Descriptive text in the prompt can help Midjourney map multiple characters correctly.
Midjourney's pan and zoom features can be used to create images with multiple characters.
Good character references should be made by Midjourney for the best results.
Portraits and full-body images work well as character references.
Lowering character weight can help with achieving different poses.
Image references at the beginning of a prompt guide character pose and composition.