Midjourney V7's Omni Reference: Use Any Image to Guide Your AI Art
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Do you have a clear picture in your mind for AI art but struggle to get Midjourney to create exactly what you want? Getting precise control can be tough. Midjourney V7 introduces a powerful new feature called Omni Reference. This lets you use any image as the starting point for your AI artwork.
Imagine taking a photo of yourself or a drawing of a character and having Midjourney build your scene around it while keeping that subject consistent. That's what Omni Reference helps you do. You can anchor your idea with a real image instead of leaving everything to chance. Let's look at how it works and how you can get great results.
What is Omni Reference?
Omni Reference allows you to provide an image to serve as a base for your Midjourney creation. You can drop in an image of a character, an object, a vehicle, or anything you want to keep consistent. Midjourney then uses this image as a visual anchor while generating your art based on your text prompt.
This new feature replaces the older Character Reference (`--cref`) and gives you more control over how the reference image influences the final picture. It's currently only available in Midjourney Version 7. Keep in mind it does not work with Inpainting or Vary Region tools yet. Also, you need to be in Relax mode; Fast, Draft, and Conversational modes are not supported right now.
How to Use Omni Reference
Using Omni Reference is simple:
Go to the Midjourney website.
Upload your image. Click the image icon and select the image from your computer.
Once uploaded, drag and drop the image into the dedicated Omni Reference section.
You can click the lock icon to pin the image so it stays for future generations until you remove it.
To change or remove an image, hover over it and click the "X" icon.
Next to the imagine bar, you'll see the Omni Reference Weight slider. This tool controls how much your reference image influences the final result. The slider goes from 0 to 1000. A higher number means the image has a stronger impact. We'll talk more about adjusting this weight later.
Combine Text Prompts and Image References
Don't just rely on the image alone. You still need a strong text prompt to tell Midjourney what style, setting, and details you want. The image sets the foundation, but your text prompt shapes everything that happens around it. For example, if you use an image of a Viking painting as your Omni Reference, you can then add a text prompt like "photograph, corporate photography style, CEO type, ISO 100".
You can also use parameters like:
`--ar` (aspect ratio) to set the image shape (e.g., portrait).
`--s` (stylization) to adjust how creative Midjourney is (e.g., `--s 100`).
`--OW` (Omni Weight, or Style Weight as described in this context) to control how much weight the *style* from your prompt has relative to the image reference. A lower number here helps keep it close to the image style.
When you generate, Midjourney will use the Viking image as a subject and create images that look like corporate CEO portraits, but featuring that specific Viking character. You'll see the same person appear across the generated images, but in the style requested by your text prompt.
For projects requiring consistent characters or specific visual elements across multiple generations, streamlining your workflow is key. Tools designed to automate prompt generation, image management, and variation could significantly enhance your creative process. Consider exploring solutions like the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT at https://www.titanxt.io/midjourneyautomator to help manage these repetitive tasks efficiently.
Experimenting with Styles
The power of Omni Reference combined with text prompts means you can take the same subject image and apply wildly different art styles. Using that same Viking image, you could change the prompt to "high contrast side lighting, loose watercolor portrait, pastels, light sage green background." The generated images will still feature the same Viking, but now they will look like watercolor paintings on a different background.
The subject remains the same because of the Omni Reference, while your text prompt controls the style, mood, and setting. This makes creating variations of a consistent subject incredibly easy.
Understanding Omni Reference Weight
The Omni Reference Weight slider (from 0 to 1000) is important for fine-tuning results. A weight of 0 means the image has no influence. A weight of 1000 means the image has a very strong influence.
Experimenting with weights is the best way to see the difference. Using the same Viking image and prompt, run generations with different Omni Reference Weights, like 40, 400, and 1000. You'll notice that while the subject remains the same person, the art style and details change slightly depending on the weight. Higher weights might make the generated image look more like the original reference image's style, while lower weights give the text prompt more freedom.
Limitations and Common Issues
It's helpful to be realistic about results. Omni Reference doesn't guarantee pixel-perfect accuracy for tiny details. Small things like freckles, logos, specific clothing patterns, or jewelry might not transfer exactly as they appear in the reference image. Don't expect perfect copies of every small element.
Also, since this is a new tool, you might encounter issues with certain prompts getting blocked when used with Omni Reference. Don't worry if this happens; you won't lose credits. Just try rewording your text prompt until it works. If the results aren't what you expect, check your Omni Reference Weight. If the weight is too high, the reference image might overpower your text prompt. Try lowering the weight and make sure your text prompt is super clear about what you want.
Creative Uses for Omni Reference
Omni Reference opens up many creative possibilities:
Keeping a character consistent across different scenes for comics, children's books, or brand mascots.
Placing product shots into stylized backgrounds for striking marketing images.
Developing a brand merchandise line by creating a custom pattern and applying it to various products.
With Omni Reference, you have a clear subject and an idea, and the tool helps you maintain consistency while exploring different styles and settings.
Managing multiple iterations and testing different weights and styles for your Omni Reference projects can become time-consuming. Simplify this with tools designed to automate your workflow. The Midjourney Automation Suite offered by TitanXT at https://www.titanxt.io/midjourneyautomator can help you manage these tasks more efficiently.
Start Creating with Consistency
Omni Reference in Midjourney V7 is a powerful addition that helps you maintain visual consistency for subjects while allowing you to explore countless creative styles through your text prompts. It gives you a level of control that makes planning and executing AI art projects much easier.
Get started with Omni Reference today and see how using reference images can guide your creative vision. What's the first thing you're going to try creating with this feature?
