AI Image Generator: Complete Guide

The

on Melies gives you access to 16 state-of-the-art models from leading AI providers. Whether you are creating concept art for a film, designing characters, or building storyboards, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Available Models

Melies includes 16 image generation models. Each model has different strengths in speed, quality, and creative style. Here is a full comparison.

Model Comparison Table

Model	Provider	Speed	Quality	Credits	Max Resolution
Nano Banana 2	Google	Fast	Best	15 (8-40 by res)	0.5K-4K
Nano Banana Pro	Google	Medium	High	15	1K-4K
Nano Banana	Google	Fast	Good	10	1K
Seedream 4 Edit	ByteDance	Medium	High	10	Auto/2K/4K
Seedream 4.5	ByteDance	Medium	High	10	Auto/2K/4K
Grok Imagine	xAI	Medium	High	15	13 aspect ratios
Flux Kontext Max	Black Forest Labs	Slow	Best	25	9 aspect ratios
Flux Kontext	Black Forest Labs	Medium	High	20	9 aspect ratios
FLUX.2 max	Black Forest Labs	Slow	Best	25	Custom up to 14142px
FLUX.2 pro	Black Forest Labs	Medium	High	20	Custom up to 14142px
FLUX.2 flex	Black Forest Labs	Fast	Good	15	Custom up to 14142px
FLUX.2 klein	Black Forest Labs	Fastest	Good	5	Standard ratios
Flux Pro Ultra	Black Forest Labs	Slow	High	20	Up to 2K
Flux Pro	Black Forest Labs	Medium	High	15	Standard ratios
Flux Dev	Black Forest Labs	Medium	Good	10	Standard ratios
Flux Schnell	Black Forest Labs	Fastest	Basic	2	Standard ratios

Choosing the Right Model

For the best quality: Nano Banana 2, Flux Kontext Max, and FLUX.2 max produce the most detailed and visually stunning images. Use these for hero shots and final production images.

For fast iteration: Flux Schnell (2 credits) and FLUX.2 klein (5 credits) are the fastest and cheapest options. Perfect for brainstorming, exploring ideas, and quick concept drafts.

For balanced performance: Seedream 4.5, Flux Kontext, and FLUX.2 pro offer a strong balance between quality, speed, and credit cost.

For editing existing images: Seedream 4 Edit is specifically designed for image editing workflows where you want to modify parts of an existing image.

For ultra-high resolution: FLUX.2 max, FLUX.2 pro, and FLUX.2 flex support custom resolutions up to 14142px, making them ideal for large-format prints and detailed compositions.

Aspect Ratios

Melies supports 9 aspect ratios so you can generate images in the exact format you need.

Aspect Ratio	Name	Best For
Auto	Automatic	Let the model choose the optimal ratio
21:9	Cinematic	Widescreen film compositions, epic landscapes
16:9	Landscape	Standard widescreen, YouTube thumbnails
4:3	Classic	Traditional film format, TV-style compositions
3:2	Photo	Standard photography ratio, natural framing
1:1	Square	Social media posts, album covers, portraits
2:3	Photo Portrait	Vertical photography, character portraits
3:4	Portrait	Vertical compositions, mobile-friendly content
9:16	Portrait/Mobile	Instagram Stories, TikTok, vertical video frames

Select the aspect ratio before generating your image. Not all models support all ratios - the interface will show you which options are available for your selected model.

Resolution Settings

Resolution options vary by model.

• Google models (Nano Banana 2, Nano Banana Pro): Support resolutions from 0.5K up to 4K. Higher resolutions cost more credits. Nano Banana 2 ranges from 8 credits at 0.5K to 40 credits at 4K.
• ByteDance models (Seedream 4 Edit, Seedream 4.5): Support Auto, 2K, and 4K output.
• FLUX.2 series (max, pro, flex): Support custom resolutions up to 14142px on any side.
• Standard Flux models: Generate at standard resolutions tied to the selected aspect ratio.

For most filmmaking workflows, generating at standard resolution and then upscaling the best results is the most credit-efficient approach.

Using Reference Images

Reference images let you guide the AI with a visual starting point instead of relying solely on text prompts.

How to Use a Reference Image

1. Open the
   AI Image Generator
2. Click the reference image upload area
3. Upload your reference image (a photo, sketch, or any visual)
4. Write your prompt describing what you want to generate
5. The AI will use your reference as a visual guide alongside your text prompt

Reference images work well for:

• Maintaining character consistency across multiple shots in your film
• Converting sketches to polished images by uploading rough drawings
• Style transfer by uploading an image with a visual style you want to replicate
• Scene variations by using an existing frame and asking for changes

Extracting a Subject from an Image

Melies can extract the main subject from any image, which is useful for maintaining character consistency across scenes.

1. Generate or upload an image with a character or subject
2. Use the extract subject feature
3. The AI isolates the subject from the background
4. Use the extracted subject as a reference for new generations

This is particularly powerful when you have established a character design and want to place them in different settings, lighting conditions, or scenes throughout your project.

Generating Variations

One of the most powerful features in the Melies image generator is the variation system. After generating an image, you can create targeted variations across 11 categories without rewriting your prompt.

Camera Angles (9 options)

Change the perspective of your shot while keeping the same subject and scene.

• Eye level - Standard natural perspective
• High angle - Looking down on the subject
• Low angle - Looking up, adds power and drama
• Overhead/Top-down - Bird's eye view
• Ground level - Camera at ground height
• Dutch tilt - Angled frame for tension and unease
• Over-the-shoulder - Common in dialogue scenes
• Profile view - Side-on perspective
• Three-quarter - Angled between frontal and profile

Shot Sizes (9 options)

Adjust framing from extreme close-ups to wide establishing shots.

• Tighter (zoom in) - Move closer to the current framing
• Wider (zoom out) - Pull back from the current framing
• Extreme close-up - Eyes, mouth, or small details only
• Close-up - Face fills the frame
• Medium close-up - Head and shoulders
• Medium shot - Waist up
• Cowboy shot - Mid-thigh up (classic Western framing)
• Full body - Entire figure visible
• Wide shot - Subject with surrounding environment

Expressions (23 options)

Change a character's facial expression to match the emotion of your scene.

Base expressions: Neutral, Natural smile, Laughing, Serious, Surprised, Sad, Angry, Crying

Influencer pack: Wink, Tongue out, Duck face, Blowing a kiss, Smize, Biting lip

Cinema pack: Villain smirk, Thousand-yard stare, Seductive, Horrified, Wonder/Awe, Triumphant, Exhausted, Nervous, Contemplative, Grieving, Skeptical

Lighting (10 options)

Transform the mood of your image through lighting changes.

• Soft/Diffused - Even, flattering light with minimal shadows
• Hard/Dramatic - Strong directional light with deep shadows
• Golden hour - Warm, low-angle sunlight
• Blue hour/Dusk - Cool twilight tones
• Low-key Noir - Dark with selective highlights
• High-key Bright - Bright and airy with minimal shadows
• Rembrandt - Classic portrait lighting with triangular highlight
• Backlit/Rim - Light from behind the subject creating a glow outline
• Candlelight - Warm, flickering, intimate
• Neon glow - Vibrant colored artificial light

Time of Day (7 options)

Shift the time setting while keeping your composition intact.

Dawn, Sunrise, Morning, Midday, Golden hour, Dusk/Blue hour, Night

Weather (7 options)

Add atmospheric conditions to your scene.

Clear/Sunny, Overcast, Foggy, Misty, Rainy, Stormy, Snowy

Color Grading (10 options)

Apply cinematic color grades to change the visual tone.

• Natural - True-to-life colors
• Teal & Orange - Hollywood blockbuster look
• Monochrome - Black and white
• Warm amber - Cozy, nostalgic warmth
• Cool blue - Clinical, cold, or futuristic
• Filmic/Faded - Vintage film stock feel
• Bleach bypass - Desaturated with high contrast
• Sepia - Classic aged photograph look
• Desaturated - Muted, understated palette
• Hyper-saturated - Bold, vivid colors

Mood (12 options)

Set the emotional atmosphere of the entire image.

Romantic, Mysterious, Tense/Thriller, Ethereal/Dreamy, Gritty/Raw, Melancholic, Epic/Heroic, Nostalgic, Eerie/Unsettling, Joyful/Uplifting, Serene/Peaceful, Dark/Foreboding

Art Styles (17 options)

Transform your image into a completely different artistic style.

Cinematic film still, Hollywood blockbuster, Arthouse/Indie, Classic film noir, Neo-noir, Documentary, Anime, Studio Ghibli, Makoto Shinkai, Comic book, Pixar/3D animation, Oil painting, Watercolor, Charcoal sketch, Concept art, Synthwave/80s, Fashion editorial

Eras (12 options)

Place your scene in a different historical or future time period.

Victorian/1880s, 1920s Art Deco, 1950s post-war, 1960s/Mod, 1970s/New Hollywood, 1980s/Neon, 1990s/Grunge, Early 2000s, Modern contemporary, Near future, Dystopian future, Medieval/Fantasy

Aspect Ratio

Switch between any of the 9 available aspect ratios to reframe your composition for different platforms or creative needs.

Right-Click Context Menu

Every generated image has a context menu (right-click or long-press on mobile) that gives you quick access to powerful features.

• Generate variations - Open the variation panel for any of the 11 categories listed above
• Extract subject - Isolate the main subject for use as a reference
• Upscale - Increase resolution up to 4K
• Use as reference - Set this image as the reference for your next generation
• Download - Save the image to your device

This context menu makes it fast to iterate on your best results without navigating away from your workspace.

Upscaling

Melies includes built-in image upscaling to take any generated image to higher resolution.

How to Upscale

1. Generate an image using any model
2. Right-click the image and select "Upscale"
3. Choose your target resolution (up to 4K)
4. The upscaler enhances detail while increasing resolution

When to Upscale

• Final production images that need to be print-quality or used in high-resolution video
• Images from fast/cheap models like Flux Schnell - generate cheaply, then upscale only the best results
• Close-up shots where you need sharp detail on faces and textures

Upscaling is a cost-effective workflow: generate many options with affordable models, pick your favorites, then upscale only the winners.

Credit Costs Breakdown

Here is a quick reference for credit costs across all image models.

Budget Level	Models	Credits
Economy	Flux Schnell	2
Budget	FLUX.2 klein	5
Mid-range	Nano Banana, Seedream 4 Edit, Seedream 4.5, Flux Dev	10
Standard	Nano Banana 2, Nano Banana Pro, Grok Imagine, FLUX.2 flex, Flux Pro	15
Premium	Flux Kontext, FLUX.2 pro, Flux Pro Ultra	20
Ultra	Flux Kontext Max, FLUX.2 max	25

Nano Banana 2 has variable pricing based on resolution: 8 credits at 0.5K up to 40 credits at 4K.

Visit the

page for current credit package options.

Tips for Great Results

Write detailed prompts: The more specific your prompt, the better. Include details about the subject, setting, lighting, mood, and camera angle.

Use the right model for the job: Do not spend 25 credits on a concept sketch. Start with Flux Schnell or FLUX.2 klein to explore ideas, then switch to premium models for final images.

Leverage variations: Instead of rewriting prompts from scratch, generate one good base image and use variations to explore different angles, lighting, and moods.

Maintain character consistency: Use the extract subject feature and reference images to keep your characters looking the same across multiple scenes.

Match your aspect ratio to your project: If you are making a film, stick with 21:9 or 16:9. For social media content, use 9:16 or 1:1.

Ready to start creating? Open the

and bring your vision to life. Check out the to turn your best images into moving shots.