You might already be familiar with using image URLs in your midjourney prompt to make art. But, do you know that you can choose how similar they should be? That’s where the image weight parameter comes in handy.
In this article, we will guide you on understanding and using the image weight range effectively in your prompt.
We’ll also show you through an experiment how it impacts the kind of images you create.
All about the image weight range in midjourney
In midjourney, you can insert the URL link of an image as part of your prompt instructions.
When a prompt includes both an image and text, the image weight parameter determines how important the image is compared to the text when creating AI images.
This means you want the bot to take inspiration from the picture reference.
The image weight is represented by ‐‐iw.
By default, in version 5 and above, the image weight is set to 1. However, you have the option to adjust this parameter according to your preferences within a range of 0 – 2.
For example: --iw 1.25
When you use higher image weight values in your prompt, the generated results will look very closely to the reference.
On the other hand, lower values will give greater importance to the text part of the prompt.
This means that the image weight parameter can be adjusted using the ‐‐iw parameter followed by the desired value (e.g. ‐‐iw 0.5).
How to use the midjourney image weight range
Using the image weight range is very straightforward. All you have to do is:
- Login to discord
- Go to the newbies room in the Midjourney server or simply click on your own server to where the Midjourney bot has been invited.
- Click on the + sign next to the prompt box.
- Choose an image file and click on send.
- Once uploaded, right-click the image and select copy image address
- Click on the prompt box
- Type /imagine prompt:
- Paste the URL address into the prompt box
- Next, type your text prompt
- At the end of your prompt, add ‐‐iw (value). For example, ‐‐iw 1.5.
- Click on the enter button. Your images will be generated in a couple of seconds.
Note: if you do not add the ‐‐iw alongside a value in your prompt, the midjourney bot will apply the default image weight of 1 to your generated images.
Another example method of image weight range prompting in midjourney
Aside from uploaded images, you can also use your generated images as a prompt in midjourney.
To begin, we create a simple image with this prompt.
glamour photo of a young man, iv jacket, wide shot, studio lighting, Soho, shot on Fujifilm Eterna 400, 4k,
Once the grid has been created, we right-click the image and copy the image address.
Next, we put the image URL in the prompt box and add some text. Here’s the full prompt below:
https://s.mj.run/PzfW5aE16bI glossy and smooth shaded tectonicore feminine daemonista manifesting in form of vantablack and gold swirling colored portrait, abstract surreal, epic, dynamic elegant, luxury, mysterious and mystical, dramatic and cinematic light -- iw 0.5
Here are the generated images:
As you can see, the generated images have similar colors, backgrounds, and styles. But it is still quite different from the original grid.
Next, we increased the image weight to 0.75, here is the result of the generated images.
Then, we prompted the same image and text prompt but with ‐‐iw 1. And here is the generated grid.
Next, we changed the image weight to ‐‐iw 1.5. Below are the generated results.
Then finally, we used the ‐‐iw 2 parameter with the same prompt and image URL. Below is the resulting image grid.
In this example, we started with a photorealistic image and adjusted the image weight range to see how the results were affected.
From this experiment, you can see that as the image weight range increased, the generated image looked less artistic and abstract. Instead, the bot gave us a more realistic style art.
This goes to show that when you use an image URL in your prompt, the midjourney bot will stick to it as a guide.
How image weight parameters work in different midjourney versions
The exact image weight parameters that you can use will vary depending on the Midjourney version you choose.
- Midjourney version 4 does not support the image weight parameter. This means you cannot use the image weight range if you choose to use version 4.
- In V5 and above, the image range is between 0 – 2. The default image weight is 1.
- The image weight parameter also works in Niji 5. The default value is 1 and the range is 0 – 2.
Even though Midjourney’s V5 is the best, you can select which version you want to use by typing ‘/settings’ in the message box and then selecting whichever version you prefer.
Can you use midjourney image weight with multiple images?
In midjourney, you have the freedom to add different images to your prompt.
However, if you wish to control how each image influences your generated results with the image weight parameter, you need to use the “/blend” command.
This means you can either use the ‐‐iw parameter with images and text in your prompt. Or you can combine several images with the ‐‐iw parameter using the blend feature.
So, you cannot use more than one ‐‐iw parameters in your image and text prompt.
Why is image weight range not working in midjourney?
If you’re struggling with the image weight parameter in your prompt, there could be various reasons why it’s not working correctly.
Some of these reasons include:
Wrong format
Your prompt may have the wrong format. Remember that the image weight parameter is written as ‐‐iw 1.5 (or any value of your choice).
So, make sure you have the right format and there are no spacing issues.
Incorrect version
The image weight parameter does not work in V4. And it is quite limited in V3. So, make sure you are using the right version by checking your settings.
Wrong range numbers
The image range number for V5 and above is 0 – 2. This means that if you use any number above 2, it won’t work correctly.
Incorrect image type
There are a few types of image formats that you can use in Midjourney. The image URL you add to your prompt needs to be png, jpeg, jpg, gif, or Webp.
Also, the URL must be a direct link to the image.
Bot limitation
I have noticed that if you use photos in your prompt, the midjourney bot struggles to create non-realistic images.
This means that if you are trying to create a vector illustration and you use a portrait image, the bot might ignore the style in your text prompt.
The major solution I have found is to use a lower image weight range number in such cases.
You can also try re-rolling your prompt or adding the ‐‐chaos parameter. Doing this will force midjourney to consider all the possible combinations of your prompt.
Wrong placement
The image weight parameter must be at the very end of your prompt.
This means that if you place ‐‐iw 2 in the beginning or middle of your prompt, you will get an error message.
Incompatible parameters
You can use image weight with other parameters in your prompt.
But I have noticed that it does not work with the ‐‐no parameter.
The ‐‐no parameter is used for negative prompting to specify what you do not want to see in the image. And, it needs to be added at the end of your prompt.
So, if you are trying to use the ‐‐no and ‐‐iw parameters in the same prompt, you will get an error message.
Conclusion
Understanding the image weight parameter in Midjourney is crucial, especially for those incorporating reference photos in their prompts.
However, if you want to gain better control over the output, you must know how to use image weight range values.
Every version of midjourney comes with its own image weight range, and it’s important to experiment to find what suits your needs best.