Bear in mind when Midjourney was only a easy Discord bot? Today, they’re dreaming greater — approach greater. Like, “let’s create a whole universe with prompts” greater.
See, this is the factor about AI artwork: for all its controversy, there are some areas the place it simply is smart. Assume idea artists needing fast iterations, or storytellers wanting to visualise their worlds with out breaking the financial institution. That is the place Patchwork is available in — Midjourney’s formidable new instrument that guarantees to alter how we method visible storytelling.
However is Patchwork really value your time? Or is it simply one other Midjourney characteristic that we’ll overlook in a few months?
What’s Midjourney Patchwork?
Everyone knows what Midjourney is, so I received’t waste numerous time speaking about it. However in case you don’t, Midjourney is an AI picture technology mannequin that at the moment has greater than 21 million energetic customers. Beginning out as a easy Discord bot, they finally grew to have their very own platform and introduce many new options. You possibly can learn our full overview of their newest mannequin right here.
So, now that we bought that out of the way in which, what’s Patchwork?
Midjourney is asking Patchwork an “infinite canvas.” It’s their try at making a storytelling instrument that mixes a number of LLMs and Midjourney, permitting customers to assemble visuals and keep a normal fashion. Merely put, Patchwork offers you the ability to create worlds utilizing prompts.
Supply: Midjourney
How To Use Midjourney Patchwork?
There’s no a method of utilizing Patchwork. One of the best ways I might describe it’s like enjoying an open-world sport — certain, you’ll be able to comply with guides, however on the finish of the day, you’re higher off exploring and choosing up issues alongside the way in which.
So, as a substitute of a conventional step-by-step information, right here’s a rundown of all the things you are able to do with Patchwork:
The Starting
When you “create a world,” you’re going to be requested two issues: the setting of your world (the premise of your story) and a normal fashion (or the theme of your story). It will set up how your world will appear to be.
The Toolbox
So, we’ll discuss this extra once we get to the demo, however upon getting your world, Patchwork directs you to an empty canvas with a toolbox. It will allow you to create, edit, or editorialize all the things in your world. Right here’s a fast rundown of all the things on this toolbox:
- Character: Creates a picture of a personality.
- Occasion: Creates an outline of a sure occasion.
- Place: Creates a setting inside your world.
- Prop: Creates an object inside your story.
- Faction: Creates a normal theme for a bunch of characters.
- Notice: Attaches a textbox (containing data, storylines, or author’s notes) to a block to assist with storytelling.
- Picture: Lets you add a third-party picture.
- Portal: Makes a portal in your canvas that results in one other canvas.
Creating My Personal World With Patchwork
Earlier than I proceed: I would like to return clear with one thing. As a lot as I really like Midjourney, utilizing Patchwork might be one of the crucial irritating issues I’ve ever finished. When I attempt to log in, 95% of the time, I’m hit with a Gateway Error. After I efficiently check in, I’m typically disconnected from the server.
I nearly stop so many occasions. I do know that this model of Patchwork is only a analysis preview (and that they’re conscious of this subject, simply that it’s a decrease precedence for them as they concentrate on releasing Midjourney V7), however I want they’ve put some extra effort into the UX.
Nonetheless, I finally managed to log in with none disconnections. So, right here’s my expertise utilizing Patchwork.
Worldbuilding with Patchwork
Even at occasions once I didn’t disconnect, Patchwork wasn’t actually producing photographs as quick as I hoped. I spent two days attempting to overview this instrument, and greater than three-quarters of these was wasted on this:
However I’m getting side-tracked.
So, again to the world I used to be attempting to create: a contemporary tackle sorcerers — a narrative the place they’re compelled into hiding after getting hunted by the federal government and bounty hunters. We’ve our protagonist, a novice sorceress. An antagonist, a strong sorcerer who operates within the shadows by controlling the federal government. And our setting: twenty third century New York Metropolis, which is now a mixture of futuristic dystopia and spaghetti westerns.
First, I needed to create 4 characters: the protagonist, the antagonist, the mentor (kind of like Obi-Wan Kenobi), and an anti-hero (so, on this case, our personal Boba Fett).
When you choose “Character” within the toolbox, a block seems whereby it’s important to enter the title of your character and their description.
When you’ve typed within the title and outline, you’ll be able to press the outline field and choose the paint brand, robotically creating 4 depictions of the character. The one you decide may also function the principle avatar of the block.
So, I went forward and created all the opposite characters as effectively.
The method was largely the identical for props, occasions, and locations — you create, title, and outline them and generate photographs utilizing the paint button. So, I shortly populated my world with all the things I might consider. That is the outcome:
It’s barebones, however after a number of server disconnections, the expertise was really fairly enjoyable and immersive. The fashion remained considerably constant all through too. Would I do that once more or increase my world? Positively, however provided that Midjourney fixes the issue.
Execs & Cons of Midjourney Patchwork
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Right here’s The Deal
I stated it earlier, however I’ve by no means been extra pissed off attempting a product than with Midjourney’s Patchwork. It took me two days simply to get an uninterrupted session.
For what it’s value: though it could appear that Patchwork was rushed and has a decrease precedence of their timeline, they nonetheless have massive plans for this instrument. Midjourney’s final aim is for the customers to have the ability to import creations from Patchwork to different storytelling apps — one thing that I imagine could be superb for storyboarding.
However past that, I discovered Patchwork to be an important subsequent step for Midjourney. I’ve seen different opinions whose backside line is a query: is there even a necessity for Patchwork? And my reply to that’s, not essentially, however that doesn’t imply it shouldn’t be made. I really prefer it when platforms increase and introduce new issues.
Put it this fashion. As somebody who’s 50-50 on AI artwork, there’s two areas that I wholeheartedly welcome the thought: idea creation and tabletop RPGs. With Patchwork, storyboarding for somebody with none artwork expertise can develop into simple. It additionally offers hobbyists operating a D&D or Dread sport an expansive canvas to create their world and share it with their gamers.
Server points apart, this was a blast and I can’t wait to strive Patchwork as soon as they formally roll it out as a characteristic. When you have a Midjourney account and plenty of persistence, I recommend you give it a strive as effectively. Have enjoyable!
