Midjourney Beginners #7: When to use Rerun, Vary (Subtle), Vary (Strong), Remix (Subtle) and Remix (Strong)
A clear explanation. I wish someone had told me that when I first started.
It’s about creating more variations
When you create images in Midjourney, you typically go through a process of creating many images and then selecting the best one to use in your project.
Unlike other AI image generators, Midjourney generates multiple versions of an image (known as "variations"), expanding the pool of images from which you can choose. It differs from ChatGPT-4o, which typically generates a single image at a time. Midjourney currently generates a grid of four images per generation, but this may increase to eight or more when its "big batches" feature is released in the near future.
The benefits of creating more images include:
Allow you to explore different aesthetics, compositions, elements, colors, and details.
From the pool of options, you can choose the best one.
Have more freedom to explore creative possibilities rather than accepting only one image generation at a time.
Another feature that sets Midjourney apart from other AI image generators is that Midjourney believes there is a trade-off between prompt adherence versus aesthetics.
When an AI image generator strictly adheres to the prompt, it gives up its freedom to explore the creative space, resulting in a less aesthetically pleasing outcome. On the contrary, allowing the bot to express itself by generating more images can lead to unexpected and creative outcomes.
Creating image variations
Midjourney offers many ways to create image variations:
Rerun
Vary (Subtle), Vary (Strong)
Remix (Subtle), Remix (Strong)
Inpainting and Outpainting features (Editor, [Pan], [Zoom], etc.)
References (image, style, character)
Retexture
Multi-prompts
Chaos
Weird
Blend
Stylize
Draft job
Combination of the above
And so on…
In this article, we will look at Rerun, Vary, and Remix, explaining the differences between them and when to use them. The article focuses on image creation via the website.
TL;DR
Don't have time to read the details? Here’re the shortcuts:
Rerun: Try the same prompt again and hope for the best. Changes at the grid level. Typically, if a prompt does not perform after four re-runs, it is considered fail. Write another.
Vary: Create similar versions of a chosen image. Changes are made by referencing the selected image. No prompt editing.
Remix is similar to Vary, but allows you to edit the prompt. It also gives you access to more advanced techniques.
Vary (Subtle) and Remix (Subtle): Make minor adjustments. Maintain the overall style and layout, but change the details. Changes are made by referencing the selected image.
Vary (Strong) and Remix (Strong): Make bigger changes. Modify the layout, position, arrangement, and move in a new direction. Keep the main subjects. Changes are made by referencing the selected image.
How to choose
Don't like all of the images in the grid? Rerun the prompt.
Like one of the images in the grid, but want to see more options quickly? Use Vary.
Like one of the images in the grid, but want to change the prompt's subject (for example, from a dog to a cat)? Use Remix + Prompt editing.
Like an image and its layout? Want to see what happens if you change the overall details? Use Vary (Subtle) or Remix (Subtle) + Prompt editing.
Like an image but want to make more changes at the overall level? Use Vary (Strong) or Remix (Strong) + Prompt editing.
Accessing Rerun, Vary, and Remix
Rerun - On the Create page, hover over the right panel to see a row of options, including Rerun. To run the prompt again, click Rerun.
Click on any image to access its Lightbox to access all other options at the bottom right panel. If you don't see these options, click "More Options" to enable them all.
You can also hover the mouse over Vary, Remix, and More to read additional information about these features.
Differences between Subtle and Strong Variations and Rerun
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