Scaling Midjourney AI art for PRINT with Topaz Labs Gigapixel

Dan Catt
23 Jun 202212:05

TLDRThe video explores the synergy between Midjourney AI, an AI system that transforms text into images, and Topaz Gigapixel AI, a tool designed to upscale images. The video discusses the limitations of Midjourney's output size, which is suitable for digital viewing but not large enough for high-quality prints. To overcome this, the creator uses Topaz Gigapixel AI to enlarge the AI-generated images, resulting in a significantly improved print quality. The video demonstrates the process of using both AIs to produce a large, high-resolution print from a small AI-generated image. It concludes with a comparison between the enlarged image using Topaz and a standard Photoshop enlargement, highlighting the superior quality of the former.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Midjourney AI is an AI system that turns words into images and is good at generating small images.
  • 🔍 Topaz Gigapixel is an AI system that upscales images and is effective at enlarging them for print.
  • 🖼 The speaker advocates for printing digital artwork to better connect with the work and spot details that may be missed on screen.
  • 🌳 Midjourney AI uses machine learning to generate images based on concepts and artist styles, like a tree by Jeff Koons.
  • 📈 The process of Midjourney AI involves creating many small images, scoring them, and scaling up the most representative ones.
  • 🚀 Scaling up images for print is computationally expensive, which is why the results from Midjourney AI are initially small.
  • 📏 The resolution of the original image limits the size it can be printed. A higher pixel count allows for larger prints without losing quality.
  • 💻 Topaz Gigapixel AI is specialized software that can upscale images without the need for a powerful computer system.
  • 🏞️ The AI in Topaz Gigapixel is trained on a vast number of photos, making it adept at recognizing and enhancing typical photographic subjects.
  • 📈 Using Topaz Gigapixel AI significantly improves the quality of upscaled images compared to standard software like Photoshop.
  • 🌟 The combination of Midjourney AI for initial image creation and Topaz Gigapixel for upscaling is a powerful workflow for creating high-quality prints.

Q & A

  • What is Midjourney AI?

    -Midjourney AI is a machine learning system specifically designed to turn words into images. It generates images based on textual descriptions by using a database of images it has been trained on.

  • How does Midjourney AI create images?

    -Midjourney AI creates images by generating lots of very tiny images with random colors, scoring each one for similarity to the concept it's trying to represent, and then scaling up the most representative image, filling in missing pixels as it grows.

  • What is Topaz Gigapixel AI?

    -Topaz Gigapixel AI is a machine learning system designed to upscale images. It has been trained on a vast number of photographs, enabling it to effectively increase the resolution of images without significant loss in quality.

  • Why is it important to print digital artwork?

    -Printing digital artwork allows artists and viewers to connect with the work on a different level. It can reveal details and issues not visible on a screen and is often preferred for the permanence and tangible nature of the medium.

  • What are the limitations of Midjourney AI when it comes to image size for printing?

    -Midjourney AI typically generates small images that are suitable for viewing on screens or phones but not large enough for high-quality printing. The computational expense of generating larger images makes it impractical with current technology.

  • How does Topaz Gigapixel AI address the issue of upscaling images for print?

    -Topaz Gigapixel AI uses its training on a vast number of photographs to upscale images effectively, focusing on enhancing the details specific to the content of the image, such as landscapes or portraits, without the need for excessive computational resources.

  • What is the recommended print size for an image to be considered high quality?

    -For high-quality prints, the image should ideally be at least 150 pixels per inch (PPI), with 300 PPI being the minimum for professional quality prints.

  • How does the process of scaling up images with Topaz Gigapixel AI differ from using general-purpose software like Photoshop?

    -Topaz Gigapixel AI is specialized in scaling up images and uses its training to intelligently fill in pixels and enhance details specific to the image content. In contrast, general-purpose software like Photoshop may not have the same level of specialized training and may result in a less refined upscaled image.

  • What is the practical print size limit when starting with a 2048x1024 pixel image?

    -With a 2048x1024 pixel image and a minimum of 150 PPI, one could print up to approximately 7 inches. However, for a more desirable print size, an image scaled to around 20 inches by 10 inches or even 30 inches would be preferable.

  • How does the process of chaining AI systems like Midjourney and Topaz Gigapixel AI benefit artists?

    -Chaining AI systems allows artists to leverage the strengths of each system. Midjourney can generate creative and unique images from textual descriptions, while Topaz Gigapixel AI can upscale these images for high-quality printing, creating a seamless workflow from concept to print.

  • What are the advantages of using Topaz Gigapixel AI for upscaling images compared to letting the printer software handle it?

    -Topaz Gigapixel AI provides a more intelligent and refined upscaling process, resulting in higher quality images that are better suited for printing. It can enhance specific details in the image based on its training, whereas printer software may not offer the same level of detail enhancement.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introduction to Mid Journey and Gigapixel AI

This paragraph introduces two AI systems: Mid Journey, an AI designed for creating images from textual descriptions, and Topaz Gigapixel, an AI that upscales images. The speaker expresses a preference for printing digital artwork and discusses the limitations of Mid Journey in producing large, high-quality images suitable for print due to its computationally expensive process. The paragraph also explains how Mid Journey generates images through a process of iterative scaling and scoring against a database of images.

05:00

🖼️ Scaling Up Images for Printing

The speaker discusses the challenges of scaling up images for print quality. They mention three potential solutions: using printer software, a general-purpose image package like Photoshop, or specialized image scaling software like Topaz Gigapixel AI. The paragraph details how Gigapixel AI is trained on a vast number of photos and can upscale images without the need for massive computational resources. It also includes a demonstration of how Gigapixel AI can enhance a low-resolution image to a high-quality print.

10:09

🔍 Comparing Scaling Methods and Conclusion

The speaker compares the results of scaling an image using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel AI, highlighting the superior quality of the latter. They mention that Gigapixel AI can upscale images up to 600 percent, which is particularly useful for creating large prints. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation to use the appropriate AI for the task at hand and to chain them together for the best results. The speaker also shares their personal use of the software and invites viewers to like, subscribe, and comment on the video.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Midjourney AI

Midjourney AI is a machine learning system designed to convert textual descriptions into visual images. It is trained on a vast dataset of images and their associated tags or titles, allowing it to generate images that match the concepts described in text. In the video, the system is used to create images from words, which are then scaled up for printing purposes, demonstrating its role in the process of generating artwork.

💡Topaz Gigapixel

Topaz Gigapixel is a specialized machine learning AI system designed to upscale images while maintaining or enhancing their quality. It has been trained on a large number of photographs, including typical subjects like landscapes and portraits. The software is used in the video to upscale images generated by Midjourney AI, making them suitable for high-quality printing. It is particularly effective at this task because it is focused solely on image upscaling, unlike more general-purpose image editing software.

💡Image Scaling

Image scaling refers to the process of increasing the size of a digital image. In the context of the video, it is a crucial step for making the AI-generated images suitable for print. The challenge lies in scaling up images without losing quality or introducing pixelation. The video compares different methods of scaling, including using printer software, general-purpose image editing software like Photoshop, and specialized software like Topaz Gigapixel.

💡Print Quality

Print quality is a measure of how well an image will look when it is printed on physical media. It is determined by factors such as resolution, color depth, and the quality of the printing process itself. The video emphasizes the importance of achieving high print quality, especially for archival prints that are meant to last for a long time without fading. The use of Topaz Gigapixel is highlighted as a solution to enhance the print quality of AI-generated images.

💡Archival Quality

Archival quality refers to the durability and longevity of printed materials, particularly in terms of their resistance to fading and degradation over time. In the video, the presenter discusses printing images on archival paper with archival ink, which ensures that the prints will maintain their quality for about 200 years. This is an important consideration for artists and photographers who want their work to be preserved.

💡Pixels per Inch (PPI)

Pixels per inch (PPI) is a measure of the resolution of an image, indicating the number of pixels in a line that is one inch long. It is a key factor in determining the size at which an image can be printed while still appearing sharp and clear. The video mentions a minimum PPI of 150 for acceptable print quality, with 300 PPI being a more common standard for high-quality prints.

💡Computational Expense

Computational expense refers to the amount of processing power and resources required to perform a particular task, such as generating or scaling images. In the video, it is mentioned that generating hundreds or thousands of images and scoring them to find the best results is computationally expensive. This is why AI systems like Midjourney AI produce smaller images initially, relying on the user to select the best ones for further processing.

💡AI Specialization

AI specialization is the concept of designing and training AI systems to perform specific tasks rather than general tasks. In the video, both Midjourney AI and Topaz Gigapixel are presented as examples of specialized AI systems. Midjourney AI focuses on generating images from text, while Topaz Gigapixel specializes in upscaling images. This specialization allows each system to perform its designated task more effectively.

💡Machine Learning

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that involves training algorithms to learn from and make predictions or decisions based on data. In the context of the video, both Midjourney AI and Topaz Gigapixel use machine learning to perform their tasks. They are trained on large datasets to recognize patterns and features in images, which enables them to generate or upscale images with high accuracy.

💡Digital Artwork

Digital artwork refers to art that is created using digital technology, such as computer software or AI systems. In the video, the presenter discusses the process of creating digital artwork using AI-generated images and then printing them for display. The video explores the challenges and solutions related to scaling and printing digital artwork, emphasizing the value of physical prints for artists and designers.

💡Print Size

Print size is the dimensions of an image when it is printed on a physical medium. The video discusses the desire for larger print sizes, such as 20 inches by 10 inches or even 30 inches, for displaying digital artwork. The challenge is to upscale the AI-generated images to these sizes without losing quality. The use of Topaz Gigapixel is shown as a method to achieve larger, high-quality prints.

Highlights

Midjourney AI is a machine learning system that turns words into images.

Topaz Gigapixel is an AI system designed to upscale images effectively.

Combining Midjourney and Topaz Gigapixel can enhance print size images.

Printing digital art allows for a different connection to the work and can reveal details not seen on screen.

Midjourney AI generates images based on concepts and artist styles from a vast database of images.

The AI iteratively creates and scores tiny images, selecting the most accurate representation before scaling up.

Computationally expensive process of Midjourney AI results in small images suitable for screens but not for large prints.

Topaz Gigapixel AI is trained on hundreds of thousands of photos, focusing solely on upscaling images.

Gigapixel AI can run on a laptop and does not require large-scale computational resources.

The software is capable of transforming low-resolution images into high-quality prints.

A comparison between Photoshop scaling and Topaz Gigapixel shows the latter's superior image quality.

Topaz Gigapixel AI can upscale images up to 600%, resulting in large, high-resolution prints.

The video demonstrates the practical application of these AI technologies for artists and photographers.

Using AI-generated images for print requires selecting the right tools for each stage of the process.

The presenter shares a personal anecdote about the value of printing artwork and the benefits of physical versus digital viewing.

A trial version of Topaz Gigapixel is available for those interested in testing the software's capabilities.

The video concludes with a demonstration of the final printed image, showcasing the effectiveness of the AI upscaling process.