Midjourney is an independent research lab that has developed a proprietary artificial intelligence program that creates images from textual descriptions, known as "prompts." Launched in 2022, it has quickly gained popularity for its ability to generate highly detailed, artistic, and often surreal images. Midjourney operates primarily through a Discord bot, where users interact with the AI by typing commands to produce a wide array of visual content. It's renowned for its distinct aesthetic and is a favorite among artists, designers, and hobbyists for its creative capabilities.
Midjourney offers a rich set of features that allow for fine-tuned control and artistic exploration:
--v
): Access to different versions of the Midjourney model (e.g., V5, V6, and the latest V7 as of early 2025), each with unique characteristics and improvements in prompt understanding and image coherence.--ar
): Control the dimensions of generated images (e.g., 1:1, 16:9, 3:2).--stylize
or --s
): Adjusts how artistically an image is rendered; lower values produce images closer to the prompt, while higher values increase artistic interpretation.--chaos
or --c
): Influences the variety and unexpectedness of the initial image grid. Higher values produce more unusual and diverse results.--no
): Specify elements to exclude from the generated image.--seed
): Use a specific seed number to generate more consistent images across prompts or to revisit previous styles.--sref
): Use an image URL as a style reference for new generations.--cref
): Attempt to maintain character consistency across different images using an image URL as a reference./describe
): Upload an image and Midjourney will provide text prompts that could have generated a similar image, useful for learning prompt crafting.Midjourney's unique artistic capabilities make it suitable for a wide array of creative applications:
Interacting with Midjourney primarily happens on Discord:
#newbies
, #general
, or similar)./imagine
Command:
/imagine
and a prompt:
field will appear./imagine prompt: a mystical forest with glowing mushrooms, cinematic lighting, highly detailed
).U
button (e.g., U1 for the top-left image) will upscale that specific image, increasing its resolution and adding more detail.V
button will create four new variations based on the style and composition of the selected image.--ar 16:9
), stylization (--s 250
), model version (--v 6
), etc.Midjourney requires a paid subscription. There is generally no persistent free trial available directly on Discord, though limited trials might occasionally be offered via special promotions or their mobile app (niji·journey).
Midjourney offers several subscription tiers (prices are approximate and subject to change, always check the official website):
Plan | Monthly Price (USD) | Annual Price (USD - Approx. 20% discount) | Fast GPU Time/Month | Relax GPU Time | Stealth Mode | Max Concurrent Jobs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic | ~$10 | ~$96 ($8/month) | ~3.3 hours | No | No | 3 Fast |
Standard | ~$30 | ~$288 ($24/month) | ~15 hours | Unlimited | No | 3 Fast/Relax |
Pro | ~$60 | ~$576 ($48/month) | ~30 hours | Unlimited | Yes | 12 Fast, 3 Relax |
Mega | ~$120 | ~$1152 ($96/month) | ~60 hours | Unlimited | Yes | 12 Fast, 3 Relax |
Q1: What is Midjourney? A1: Midjourney is an AI program and research lab that creates images from user-supplied text prompts. It's known for generating high-quality, artistic, and often complex visuals, primarily through a Discord bot.
Q2: How do I access Midjourney? A2: You access Midjourney by joining their official Discord server and using text commands to interact with the Midjourney bot in designated channels. You will need a paid subscription.
Q3: Is there a free trial for Midjourney? A3: Midjourney generally does not offer a persistent free trial directly through Discord. Limited trials may sometimes be available through special promotions or their niji·journey mobile app. A paid subscription is required for full access.
Q4: Can I use images generated by Midjourney for commercial purposes? A4: Yes, if you have a paid subscription, you are generally free to use the images you create in almost any way you want, including commercially. However, specific terms apply, especially for large companies (e.g., those with over $1M USD in annual gross revenue may need a Pro or Mega plan). Always refer to the official Midjourney Terms of Service for the most up-to-date details on usage rights.
Q5: Who owns the images created with Midjourney? A5: According to Midjourney's Terms of Service, subject to their rights, you own all Assets you create with the Services (assuming you are a paid subscriber). However, by using the services, you also grant Midjourney a license to use your prompts and images. Review their ToS for full details.
Q6: What is Midjourney's content policy? A6: Midjourney has strict community guidelines and content policies to ensure the platform remains respectful and safe (aiming for PG-13). They prohibit the generation of gore, adult content, hate speech, and other abusive or offensive imagery. Some prompts are automatically blocked, and users violating these guidelines may be banned.
Q7: Does Midjourney have an API? A7: As of early 2025, Midjourney does not officially offer a public API for third-party developers to integrate its image generation capabilities into other applications.
Q8: How does Midjourney compare to other AI image generators like DALL·E or Stable Diffusion? A8: Midjourney is often praised for its highly artistic and stylized outputs, excelling at complex compositions and painterly aesthetics. DALL·E is known for its strong prompt understanding and photorealism, while Stable Diffusion is open-source and offers high customizability. The best choice depends on the user's specific needs and desired artistic style.
Last updated: May 26, 2025
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