Midjourney V6 vs. V6.1: Step In direction of The Proper Path -

There’s a cause why Midjourney has been the speak of the city within the AI world. Generally it’s as a result of they’re as soon as once more roped into discussions about deepfakes. However right this moment, it’s for one thing good: they lastly launched an replace to their V6 mannequin referred to as, nicely, what else however Midjourney V6.1.

And belief me, it’s a game-changer.

So, what’s new with Midjourney V6.1? Effectively, the staff has targeted on enhancing the mannequin’s creativity and making the photographs much more coherent and lifelike. I’ve been utilizing it for weeks, and let me inform you, it is likely to be a refined change, however it makes a complete world of distinction within the output high quality.

Oh and yeah, in addition they added a reasonably nifty function that customers have been begging for for the longest time.

However do not simply take my phrase for it. Let’s dive in and see how Midjourney V6.1 stacks up in opposition to its predecessor throughout totally different picture classes.

What’s Midjourney?

Let’s be sincere — should you’re even remotely aware of AI, you then’ve most likely heard of Midjourney. That is an AI picture technology mannequin that may create any photograph starting from paintings to actual (nicely, one thing that appears like one, no less than) photos. Launched in 2021, Midjourney’s newest mannequin is V6.1, which we’re reviewing right this moment and evaluating to V6.

For a extra full overview, right here’s our assessment of Midjourney from a 12 months again. It’s a terrific starter information should you’re trying to familiarize your self with the applying.

What’s New With Midjourney V6.1?

Because it’s probably not a brand new mannequin however relatively an replace to V6, this new model targeted on enhancing the pre-existing mannequin’s creativity and picture coherence. This implies much less lacking (or further) fingers, extra reasonable photos, higher creativity, and quicker turnaround time. The staff additionally put an emphasis on enhancing textual content technology, which we’re going to assessment in a bit.

Right here’s a whole rundown of all of the enhancements they’ve achieved:

Since its launch three weeks in the past, Midjourney additionally launched a brand new function on their internet app for V6.1 — a greater editor. So, what precisely makes it higher?

Again when Midjourney didn’t have an online app and might solely be accessed on Discord, they already had a function referred to as area variation. This lets you choose an space of a generated picture and Midjourney creates a brand new model of it. Take this picture for instance:

Let’s say I’m probably not an enormous fan of the lake. Right here’s how I’d change it utilizing Midjourney’s Discord bot.

From there, you’ll be able to choose the area that you really want modified.

Then, you get 4 new variations of your unique picture with the chosen area modified.

So, what’s the issue?

The difficulty with that is that you just don’t actually have any management over the brand new photos. You possibly can’t change the immediate, so that you’re caught with the unique immediate and Midjourney’s simply going to maintain producing new variations of the chosen space utilizing no matter immediate it already has.

With V6.1 and Midjourney’s internet app, that is modified. Now you’ll be able to choose the world AND change the unique immediate. So, for instance, right here’s a cute frog:

Let’s use the final one. While you click on the picture, a toolbar will seem on the best facet. Choose the button labeled “Editor.”

Let’s say I wish to see its tongue. Bizarre request, I do know. However what I can do now’s press the “Erase” button above and choose the mouth space. From there, I’ll simply change the immediate from “A cute frog” to “A cute frog together with his tongue protruding.”

And now you don’t need to surprise anymore if Midjourney can edit photographs. Right here’s the ultimate product:

Midjourney V6 vs. V6.1 In contrast: Output High quality

Let’s evaluate Midjourney V6.1 to its earlier model utilizing the identical prompts throughout totally different classes.

Portrait (Individuals, Medium to Lengthy Photographs)

Each nonetheless give me a slight uncanny valley feeling, however V6.1’s model is much more coherent (as they promised). The older mannequin nonetheless feels actual should you don’t zoom in, however when you do, you’ll be able to see slight points with the person’s eye.

Portrait (Individuals, Shut-up Photographs)

The face of the girl in Midjourney V6’s output is slightly too easy and brushed up for my liking. It additionally ignored the a part of my immediate the place I specified “chicken’s eye view” angle.

The newer model did neither — exhibiting higher realism and immediate understanding.

Portrait (Non-Human)

I feel these are each good photos, but when I had been to nitpick, I’d say that the lighting on V6 went slightly too overboard and it didn’t actually generate a lot leaves in comparison with flowers.

Panorama

Whereas the colours of each photos are muted to an extent, the previous’s model is slightly too muted for my liking. V6.1 has extra balanced coloration grading.

Reside Motion Movie Nonetheless

Past creativity, what I can say is that V6.1 follows the immediate extra carefully since their outputs are nearer to the administrators I discussed. And what the hell is occurring with these three ft from the primary picture?

Animated Movie Nonetheless

This one’s a matter of choice actually — each photos are adequate in my e book. I do have to provide the slight edge to Midjourney V6.1 as a result of it feels extra whimsy. However once more, that’s simply my opinion.

Digital Artworks

The primary one reveals decrease structural coherence in Midjourney V6 as a result of, let’s be sincere, who’s going to place a library outdoors their residence? V6.1’s output additionally has extra constant pixel tiling in comparison with its older model’s inconsistent pixel sizes.

The second comparability reveals extra creativity within the a part of Midjourney V6.1, in my view. It didn’t simply take polygons and formed them to seem like a metropolis — it’s way more intentional and makes use of coloration contrasts nicely.

And as for the third one, take your decide. Each are superb.

Summary Ideas

If I’m an artwork scholar, I’d really feel like V6.1’s output is much more interpretable than V6 — which is only a bunch of glitter with bokeh in my view. I can’t see the way it’s speculated to symbolize the idea of hope.

Brand (With out Textual content)

Whereas each are good, I feel Midjourney V6’s outputs are slightly too “loud” to be a brand. There’s simply too many issues occurring.

Brand (With Textual content)

It’s the identical difficulty because the one above: Midjourney V6’s output does an excessive amount of for use as a brand. As for textual content technology, each did rather well to put in writing “Austen’s” however the former model wrote it off-center — so I’ve to provide the sting to V6.1.

Can You Use Midjourney For Free?

Sadly, no. If you wish to use Midjourney, it’s essential avail of any one in every of their plans, which begins at $10 per 30 days. When you do, and let’s say you ran out of generations, you’ll be able to fee photos on their web site they usually’ll offer you a free hour of technology in change for it.

What Else?

Midjourney is on a roll, and V6.1 is proof of this. Their newest replace is a testomony to the staff’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is potential in AI-generated artwork. And boy, I can’t wait to see what else is in retailer for the remainder of 2024 since they promised V6.2 later this 12 months.

The enhancements in realism, coherence, and inventive expression are flat-out spectacular. Midjourney V6.1 is taking the visible storytelling sport to a complete new stage.

Because the world of AI artwork continues to evolve at breakneck velocity, it’s not DALL-E 3 or Firefly that’s main the change, however Midjourney. With every iteration, they’re fascinating and galvanizing creatives in every single place, leaving us hungry for extra.

Midjourney V6 vs. V6.1: Step In direction of The Proper Path