Multiple ControlNets with Image Guidance: A Deep Dive into Leonardo.Ai’s Latest Feature

Leonardo.Ai has now launched a multiple ControlNet feature we’ve dubbed Image Guidance. This feature greatly improves the way you style and structure your images, allowing for intricate adjustments with diverse ControlNet settings. It also offers a plethora of benefits, including new tools, independent weighting, and the ability to use multiple ControlNet options simultaneously.

Image Guidance elevates control to a nuanced, multi-layered experience. Features like Depth and Pattern bring new dimensions to depth perception and artistic expression, while other options like Pose and QR enable accurate replication and interpretation.

Today, we’ll explore how you can make the most of these new options to create a diverse array of creative results. 🚀

Making the Most of Image Guidance

Image Guidance

Imagine wanting to tweak your image composition while also posing your character in a specific way. Or perhaps you’re looking for fine-tuned control over your character’s appearance, coupled with added depth and texture in the background. All of this is achievable through a variety of ControlNet options available in the new Image Guidance tab.

Leonardo’s newly introduced features include: 

  • Depth-to-image
  • Edge-to-image
  • Line Art 
  • Normal Map 
  • Pose-to-image 
  • Pattern-to-image 
  • Sketch-to-image 
  • Text Image Input
  • QR Code to Image 

Accessing them is a breeze. Simply navigate to the Image Generation page and look for the new Image Guidance option. Once you’re in, you can upload up to four source images to start bringing your vision to life. 

Now, let’s delve into what each of these options can do for you.

Unpacking the Depth ControlNet: your key to an enhanced distance perception

Depth-to-image is one of our most popular ControlNet options now located within Image Guidance suite of tools. It’s designed to intelligently gauge and manipulate the perceived depth in your images.

Depth-to-Image ControlNet uses advanced algorithms to analyze each pixel in your uploaded image, estimating its distance from the viewer. The system then creates a depth map that serves as a guide for all subsequent modifications. This allows you to emphasize specific objects in the foreground, subtly integrate elements into the background, or create a realistic sense of three-dimensional space.

Pro Tip💡
Use this in cases where you’re working on a landscape image and you want the mountains in the background to appear distant without affecting the foreground objects. Or when you’re editing a portrait and aim to make the subject stand out against a softly blurred background.

Edge-to-Image: Turning contours into masterpieces

When it comes to creating a unique style, the details often make the biggest impact. That’s where the new Edge-to-Image ControlNet comes in handy! This option serves as a powerful tool for enhancing the contours of objects in your compositions, which is crucial if you’re looking to improve an image without altering its basic structure.

Edge-to-Image

Edge-to-Image employs sophisticated edge-detection algorithms to identify the outlines of each object in your source image. These outlines are then transformed into line art, shaping your final image in a way that’s both nuanced and striking.

Pro Tip💡
Higher strength values preserve more lines, yielding a detailed and intricate result. This makes it ideal for either refining existing line art or creating new artwork from scratch.

Line Art: Complexity made simple

The Line Art ControlNet detects the lines in your reference image, which serves as a guide for generating your own art. It does this by scanning the uploaded image to identify and outline key features and objects.

Line Art

Once these outlines are established, they become the foundational layer for creating your new image. This approach is especially useful for those wanting to highlight specific elements in a photo without the distraction of other visual details.

Pro Tip💡
Use it for designing sophisticated logos, crafting stylized illustrations, or even developing storyboards for a larger project.

Normal Map: Bridging the Gap Between 2D and 3D

If you’re familiar with 3D graphics, you’re going to love the Normal Map ControlNet option in our new Image Guidance feature suite. This tool is a game-changer for artists looking to infuse their 2D images with the depth and detail of 3D textures.

Normal Map

Essentially, the Normal Map ControlNet generates data about the surface topology of objects in your uploaded image, capturing subtle variations like peaks and valleys. This detailed map guides the AI in creating textured and nuanced images.

Pro Tip💡
If you aim to highlight the central subject of an image or add detailed texture to a flat surface, Normal Map is your go-to option. Its compatibility with various base models lets you seamlessly integrate these intricate details, making it invaluable for fields like game design, architectural visualization, and digital art.

Pattern-to-Image: Turning visual elements into beautiful motifs 

The Pattern-to-Image ControlNet provides a cool way to enrich your artwork with intricate designs and subtle effects. Ever been captivated by high-contrast or black-and-white geometric designs? This ControlNet lets you transform those striking patterns into entirely new images.

Pattern-to-Image

When you upload a high-contrast pattern as a reference, the Pattern to Image ControlNet identifies the style and shape of the pattern. What you get is a new image infused with these patterns, transcending mere copying to offer a fresh interpretation of your original design.

Pro Tip💡
or optimal results, start with high-contrast patterns, preferably in black and white. This opens up a wide range of uses, from creating thematic backgrounds to generating complex textures.

Pose-to-Image: The ultimate guide to perfect poses

Pose-to-Image is another fun ControlNet option within Image Guidance that aims to revolutionize how you handle character positioning and movement in your creative projects. It’s ideal for replicating specific poses or simply injecting life into your compositions.

Pose-to-Image

Upon uploading a reference image, Pose to Image scans it to identify human or humanoid figures. It then seeks to mimic these poses in your generated image, offering a seamless way to achieve precise character positioning. The feature is versatile and can be applied to a variety of projects, from game development to digital art and more.

Pro Tip💡
The effectiveness of Pose to Image can vary depending on the complexity of the pose and the quality of the reference image. For optimal results, use clear and straightforward reference images.

QR-to-Image: A new dimension in QR code styling

QR to Image is a specialized ControlNet feature that offers a unique combination of functionality and aesthetics. It allows you to enhance the visual appeal of any QR code without sacrificing its core functionality, enabling fine-tuning to align with specific visual styles or branding efforts.

QR-to-Image

Whether you’re incorporating a QR code into marketing materials or product packaging, QR to Image allows you to enjoy scannable codes, while also blending seamlessly into your design.

Pro Tip💡
Use this option to tailor QR codes to match your brand’s colors and themes, or even create artistic versions that can serve as design elements in a larger composition.

Sketch-to-Image: Where pencil meets pixel

Sketch-to-Image is a game-changer for artists and designers who often begin their creative journeys with pencil and paper. Say goodbye to tedious manual digitization. Now, you can effortlessly convert your sketches into high-quality digital images with unparalleled control and flexibility.

Sketch-to-Image

This ControlNet option lets you upload your hand-drawn sketches and use them as a foundational layer for your digital creations. You can tweak colors, textures, and even integrate your sketches with other ControlNet features like Depth or Pattern. The result? A seamless fusion of traditional artistry and cutting-edge digital design.

Text-to-Image: Transforming words into visual art

Text Image Input, also known as Text-to-Image, is an innovative feature that adds a new dimension to text-based art creation. By simply uploading an image of black text on a white background, you can unlock a world of stylized text art possibilities. This feature is especially valuable for those who want to go beyond standard typography and add unique flair to text-based designs.

Text-to-Image

How does it work? After you upload your chosen image, the Text to Image ControlNet starts analyzing the contrast between the black text and the white background. Based on this analysis, it generates artful and stylized versions of your text, offering unique visual appeal that standard fonts and styles can’t match.

Final words

The new Image Guidance feature is a groundbreaking addition to the Leonardo.Ai platform. It offers granular control for endless creative possibilities. It’s also compatible with our renowned features like Alchemy, PhotoReal, Prompt Magic, and SDXL.

So go ahead—dive in and explore these new features. We can’t wait to see the incredible art you’ll create.

Happy prompting! 🎨