Keep Your Characters Consistent in Midjourney

Creating stories or series with AI images means you need characters that look the same from one scene to the next. This used to be tricky in Midjourney. But now, the Character Reference feature, or CRef, makes it much easier. It works like Style Reference but focuses on matching a character's look instead of an art style. This guide explains how to use CRef, including simple methods and techniques for more characters or different outfits.

The Basics of Using Midjourney CRef

To start using character reference:

• Type your prompt as normal.

• Add the parameter `--cref` followed by a space.

• Paste the URL of the image showing the character you want to use.

Midjourney will then try to create new images that show the same character. CRef works best with images you created in Midjourney. It focuses on the overall visual feel and likeness of the character. It won't copy exact details like complex patterns on clothes, but it's good at keeping the character's main look, like hair or basic shirt color. If you need specific details like a shirt style, make sure to include that in your text prompt as well.

Using CRef is very helpful for visual stories because you can put the same character in many different places or situations. Just use the same character reference image with different text prompts for each scene.

Control Character Look with `--cw`

You can fine-tune how closely Midjourney matches the reference character using the Character Weight parameter: `--cw`. This parameter goes from 0 to 100.

• `--cw 100` (this is the default): Midjourney tries to match the character's likeness and clothing.

• `--cw 0`: Midjourney mainly locks onto the character's face. This is useful if you want to change the character's clothes but keep their face the same.

Lowering the `--cw` lets you describe new clothing in your prompt, and Midjourney will listen to those text instructions more regarding the outfit while keeping the face similar. If you're having trouble getting your character into different poses, trying a lower `--cw` might also help by giving Midjourney more flexibility.

Using CRef on the Midjourney Website

If you use Midjourney on their website instead of Discord, you can also use `--cref` and `--cw` in your prompt bar. Another way is to upload your reference image directly. Click the plus sign near the prompt bar or drag and drop your image. Make sure you select the little person icon that appears next to the uploaded image so Midjourney knows it's for character reference.

Exploring Creative Uses for CRef

Once you know the basics, you can try more creative things with character reference.

Putting Characters into Different Art Styles

A fun use is changing the visual style of your character. You can take a photograph character and put them into styles like an oil painting, a vintage photo, or a comic book drawing. Just include the style you want in your text prompt along with the `--cref` image. You don't need to describe the character much in the text prompt if the CRef is strong. This lets you see your character in many visual settings.

Ready to create a whole series of images with your consistent characters in different styles or scenes? The Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT can help streamline this process, making it easy to manage many prompts and variations.

Combine with Style Reference (`--sref`)

For even stronger visual consistency, you can use Character Reference and Style Reference together. `--sref` uses a reference image to guide the overall art style, colors, and look of your images. Adding both `--cref` and `--sref` to your prompt helps keep both the character and the art style the same across multiple images. This is great for creating visually connected scenes. You can even use the same image for both your character and style reference.

Using CRef for Non-Human Subjects

CRef isn't just for people. You can use it for monsters, objects, or even abstract shapes. Midjourney will use the main visual parts of the reference image to create similar new things. It might not be an exact copy, but it follows the reference shape and features. Experimenting with different types of images for `--cref` can create unique results.

Working with Multiple Characters

Having more than one consistent character in an image is harder, but possible with different techniques.

Using a Multiple-Character Reference Image

You can use an image with multiple characters as your `--cref`. To help Midjourney, you need to be specific in your text prompt. Describe each character and where they are in the scene. This method can still sometimes mix characters or make them look too similar, so you might need to try a few times.

Using Pan, Zoom, or Vary Region

Another way involves starting with one character and adding the second:

• Pan/Custom Zoom: Create an image with one character using their individual `--cref`. Use Pan (the arrow buttons) or Custom Zoom to add space to the image. Edit the prompt for the new area, remove the first character's CRef URL, and add the second character's CRef URL. You might need to adjust aspect ratios or zoom levels.

• Vary Region: Create a base image (with or without CRef) that has spots for your characters. Use Vary Region to select an area (like where a face should be). In the Vary Region prompt box, add the individual CRef image for that specific character's face and adjust the text prompt as needed. Repeat for other characters.

These multi-character methods can take some work and don't always get the sizes or positions perfect the first time.

Tips for Choosing a Good CRef Image

To get the best results with character reference:

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Mastering consistent characters opens new doors for creators using Midjourney. As you experiment, you'll find the best ways to use CRef for your projects. If you find managing many character references and prompts time-consuming, consider exploring tools like the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT, which can help organize and automate aspects of your workflow.

The Character Reference feature is a powerful addition to Midjourney v6. It simplifies creating consistent visuals, allowing you to build more complex and engaging stories with your AI-generated characters. Keep creating!