How to Use the Inpainting Feature in Midjourney

Introducing inpainting—a feature that's more than just another tool in Midjourney, it opens up a vast array of possibilities that until now were very difficult to achieve for the reasons listed above. Follow along as we dive deep into what inpainting is all about, how to get the most out of it, and why it might just redefine Midjourney as we know it. ​ We've been waiting for months, and it's finally happening.​If you're familiar with Midjourney, you know they'r [...]

Aug 28, 2023 - 19:00
 46
How to Use the Inpainting Feature in Midjourney
Introducing inpainting—a feature that's more than just another tool in Midjourney, it opens up a vast array of possibilities that until now were very difficult to achieve for the reasons listed above. Follow along as we dive deep into what inpainting is all about, how to get the most out of it, and why it might just redefine Midjourney as we know it. 
We've been waiting for months, and it's finally happening.

​If you're familiar with Midjourney, you know they're a pretty big deal in the AI art and image generation space. As amazing as Midjourney is, the absence of an editing feature has made it so that results are effectively "what you see is what you get."

​You craft a prompt, generate an image, and if it's not perfect you tweak the prompt and spin again until you get something useful. This works okay and, eventually, renders good results. But one major game-changing feature just arrived that will render that process obsolete moving forward. 

Introducing inpainting—a feature that's more than just another tool in Midjourney, it opens up a vast array of possibilities that until now were very difficult to achieve for the reasons listed above. Follow along as we dive deep into what inpainting is all about, how to get the most out of it, and why it might just redefine Midjourney as we know it. 

​What is inpainting?

At this point you may be thinking "what's the big deal about inpainting anyway?" Not just another brush tool or filter, inpainting is a feature that allows you to manipulate specific regions of an image with, speaking in terms of Midjourney, unprecedented control .
Inpainting is a conservation process where damaged, deteriorated, or missing parts of an artwork are filled in to present a complete image. This process is commonly used in image restoration. - Wikipedia
​Imagine being able to replace, repair, add, or even remove elements from your Midjourney images with just a few clicks. Sounds like magic, right?

​But it's not—it's just technology at its finest, and it's here to make your creative process smoother than ever if you're a Midjourney user.
You can make edits like customizing clothing in Midjourney with inpainting. Our model was originally going to get married, but now she's just going to a baseball game.

Setting Up inpainting

​Alright, now that we've hyped up inpainting, you're probably itching to give it a try.

​But before you dive in, there are a few things you need to know. First off, you'll notice a new button labeled "Vary (Region)" when you're working on your image. Clicking this opens up an 'editor' that lets you select the specific area you want to work on.
But wait, there's more! To really unlock the feature's full potential, you'll want to enable "remix mode." This mode allows you to change or modify the prompt for the selected region, giving you even more control over your edits.

​It's like having a magic wand, but for images.
Once you have everything enabled click on the Vary (Region) button and let your image prompt skills take you away! Select a region, and include a new prompt to add to the image.

​Capabilities of inpainting

Adding

Want to add some flair to a basic photo? How about inserting a rainbow or some fireworks? With inPainting, you can do that effortlessly.

Replacing 

Ever looked at a photo and thought, "This would be perfect if only that tree wasn't there"? With inPainting, you can literally swap out that tree for, let's say, a cactus. Or a unicorn. The sky's the limit!

Repairing 

Did you one of the infamous Midjourney foibles like unintelligible text or weird looking hands? Inpainting can fix that right up as well.
We tweaked the prompt and re-rolled to get this: 

Removing

Similarly to repairing - sometimes less is more. If you've got a cluttered image, inpainting can help you clean it up by removing unwanted elements, making your subject stand out more.

If you want to remove something from your image, select the area and exclude it from your prompt. In this case: 

How to Use inpainting Effectively

So you've got this super cool tool at your fingertips, but how do you make the most of it? Here are some pro tips:

Start Small: Especially if you're new to inpainting, begin with minor edits. Get a feel for the tool before you go all out.

Use High-Resolution Images: The better the image quality, the more seamless your edits will look.

Experiment with Remix Mode: Don't just stick to the default settings. Remix mode is where the real magic happens, so don't be afraid to play around with it.

Consult the Community: Stuck or looking for inspiration? The Midjourney community is a goldmine of ideas and solutions. Don't hesitate to reach out.

Real-world Applications

You might be thinking, "Okay, this sounds cool, but how is it actually useful?" Well, let me tell you, inpainting isn't just for Instagram influencers or hobby photographers. This tool has some serious real-world applications.

Fashion Industry
Imagine being able to instantly swap out fabrics or patterns in a fashion shoot. Designers can now visualize multiple options without the need for multiple shoots.

Advertising
Need to tailor an ad campaign for different demographics? With inpainting, you can easily modify elements to better target your audience.

Digital Art
Artists can now experiment with different elements in their compositions effortlessly, opening up a whole new world of creative possibilities.

​Conclusion

So there you have it, folks—the lowdown on Midjourney's inpainting. From its jaw-dropping capabilities to its real-world applications, this feature is making things really interesting in the Midjourney world. The sky—or should I say, the canvas—is the limit!