DALL-E vs Midjourney
Two of the most popular commercial AI image generation platforms. DALL-E (by OpenAI) offers API access and high-quality realistic images, while Midjourney (Discord-based) excels at artistic, stylized outputs.
Key Differences:
- DALL-E: API-first, realistic, precise, programmatic
- Midjourney: Discord bot, artistic, stylized, community-driven
- Both: High quality, different strengths, commercial use allowed
🤖 DALL-E API Setup
import openai
from openai import OpenAI
import requests
from PIL import Image
from io import BytesIO
import os
# Initialize OpenAI client
client = OpenAI(api_key=os.getenv('OPENAI_API_KEY'))
# Available models
dalle_models = {
'dall-e-3': {
'quality': 'Highest quality, most detailed',
'sizes': ['1024x1024', '1024x1792', '1792x1024'],
'cost': '$0.040 per image (standard), $0.080 (HD)',
},
'dall-e-2': {
'quality': 'Good quality, faster, cheaper',
'sizes': ['256x256', '512x512', '1024x1024'],
'cost': '$0.020 per image (1024x1024)',
}
}
print("DALL-E Models:")
for model, specs in dalle_models.items():
print(f"\n{model}:")
for key, value in specs.items():
print(f" {key}: {value}")
print("\nGet your API key: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys")
🎨 Generate Images with DALL-E 3
def generate_dalle_image(prompt, model="dall-e-3", size="1024x1024",
quality="standard", n=1):
"""
Generate image with DALL-E
Args:
prompt: Text description
model: 'dall-e-2' or 'dall-e-3'
size: Image dimensions
quality: 'standard' or 'hd' (DALL-E 3 only)
n: Number of images (1-10 for DALL-E 2, only 1 for DALL-E 3)
"""
try:
response = client.images.generate(
model=model,
prompt=prompt,
size=size,
quality=quality,
n=n
)
# Get image URL
image_url = response.data[0].url
# Download image
img_response = requests.get(image_url)
img = Image.open(BytesIO(img_response.content))
# Get revised prompt (DALL-E 3 often enhances prompts)
revised_prompt = getattr(response.data[0], 'revised_prompt', None)
return img, revised_prompt
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
return None, None
# Example: Generate with DALL-E 3
prompt = """A serene Japanese garden with cherry blossoms in full bloom,
koi pond with wooden bridge, traditional tea house in background,
golden hour lighting, photorealistic, 4k quality"""
image, revised = generate_dalle_image(
prompt=prompt,
model="dall-e-3",
size="1024x1024",
quality="hd"
)
if image:
image.save("dalle3_garden.png")
print("Image generated successfully!")
if revised:
print(f"\nRevised prompt: {revised}")
print("\nDALL-E 3 automatically enhances prompts for better results!")
✏️ Image Editing with DALL-E
def edit_image_dalle(image_path, mask_path, prompt):
"""
Edit image with inpainting (DALL-E 2 only)
Args:
image_path: Original image (must be square, PNG, <4MB)
mask_path: Mask (transparent areas will be regenerated)
prompt: What to generate in masked area
"""
response = client.images.edit(
model="dall-e-2",
image=open(image_path, "rb"),
mask=open(mask_path, "rb"),
prompt=prompt,
n=1,
size="1024x1024"
)
image_url = response.data[0].url
img_response = requests.get(image_url)
img = Image.open(BytesIO(img_response.content))
return img
# Example: Add a dog to image
edited = edit_image_dalle(
image_path="room.png",
mask_path="room_mask.png", # Transparent where dog should be
prompt="a golden retriever sitting on the floor"
)
edited.save("room_with_dog.png")
print("Image edited with inpainting!")
def create_variation(image_path, n=3):
"""Create variations of an existing image"""
response = client.images.create_variation(
model="dall-e-2",
image=open(image_path, "rb"),
n=n,
size="1024x1024"
)
variations = []
for i, img_data in enumerate(response.data):
img_response = requests.get(img_data.url)
img = Image.open(BytesIO(img_response.content))
variations.append(img)
img.save(f"variation_{i+1}.png")
return variations
# Create 3 variations
variations = create_variation("original.png", n=3)
print(f"Created {len(variations)} variations!")
🎭 Midjourney Setup
# Midjourney is Discord-based, no official API yet
# Access through Discord bot commands
"""
Getting Started with Midjourney:
1. Join Discord: https://discord.gg/midjourney
2. Subscribe: https://www.midjourney.com/account
3. Go to #newbie channels
4. Use /imagine command
Plans:
- Basic: $10/month (200 images)
- Standard: $30/month (unlimited relaxed)
- Pro: $60/month (unlimited fast + stealth)
Commands:
/imagine [prompt] - Generate image
/blend [images] - Blend multiple images
/describe [image] - Get prompt from image
/settings - Change bot settings
"""
# Unofficial API wrapper (use at your own risk)
class MidjourneyClient:
"""Wrapper for Midjourney (requires Discord bot token)"""
def __init__(self, discord_token, channel_id):
self.token = discord_token
self.channel_id = channel_id
self.base_url = "https://discord.com/api/v10"
def imagine(self, prompt):
"""Send /imagine command"""
# Implementation requires Discord API
# This is pseudocode for educational purposes
command = f"/imagine prompt: {prompt}"
# Send to Discord channel
# Wait for bot response
# Download generated images
print(f"Would execute: {command}")
return "image_url"
# Example prompts
midjourney_prompt = """a majestic dragon perched on ancient ruins,
sunset lighting, fantasy art, highly detailed,
trending on artstation --ar 16:9 --v 6 --stylize 750"""
print("Midjourney Prompt Structure:")
print(midjourney_prompt)
print("\nParameters explained:")
print(" --ar 16:9 : Aspect ratio")
print(" --v 6 : Version 6 (latest)")
print(" --stylize 750 : Artistic style (0-1000)")
⚙️ Midjourney Parameters
# Comprehensive Midjourney parameters guide
midjourney_parameters = {
'Aspect Ratio': {
'--ar 1:1': 'Square (default)',
'--ar 16:9': 'Landscape/widescreen',
'--ar 9:16': 'Portrait/vertical',
'--ar 4:3': 'Classic photo',
'--ar 3:2': 'Camera standard',
},
'Version': {
'--v 6': 'Latest, most accurate',
'--v 5.2': 'Previous stable',
'--niji 6': 'Anime/illustration style',
},
'Quality': {
'--q 0.25': 'Fast, rough (4x faster)',
'--q 0.5': 'Balanced',
'--q 1': 'Standard (default)',
'--q 2': 'Detailed (2x slower)',
},
'Stylization': {
'--s 0': 'Very literal',
'--s 100': 'Balanced prompt adherence',
'--s 250': 'Default',
'--s 750': 'Very artistic',
'--s 1000': 'Maximum creativity',
},
'Chaos': {
'--c 0': 'Predictable, consistent',
'--c 50': 'Moderate variation',
'--c 100': 'Wild, experimental',
},
'Other': {
'--seed 123': 'Reproducible results',
'--tile': 'Seamless pattern',
'--no': 'Negative prompt (e.g., --no people)',
'--iw 2': 'Image weight (with image prompt)',
}
}
print("Midjourney Parameters:\n")
for category, params in midjourney_parameters.items():
print(f"{category}:")
for param, description in params.items():
print(f" {param}: {description}")
print()
# Example advanced prompt
advanced_prompt = """ethereal forest spirit, glowing mushrooms,
bioluminescent plants, mystical atmosphere, octane render,
unreal engine, 8k, highly detailed --ar 16:9 --v 6 --s 750 --c 25 --q 2"""
print("Advanced Prompt Example:")
print(advanced_prompt)
🎨 Prompt Engineering Strategies
# Effective prompting techniques for both platforms
prompt_strategies = {
'Subject': 'Clear main focus - "a red sports car"',
'Style': 'Art style - "oil painting", "anime", "photorealistic"',
'Lighting': 'Lighting conditions - "golden hour", "dramatic lighting"',
'Composition': 'View angle - "aerial view", "close-up portrait"',
'Details': 'Specific details - "detailed texture", "intricate patterns"',
'Quality': 'Quality modifiers - "8k", "highly detailed", "professional"',
'Artist': 'Art reference - "in the style of Van Gogh"',
'Mood': 'Emotional tone - "melancholic", "whimsical", "epic"',
}
print("Prompt Engineering Strategies:\n")
for element, description in prompt_strategies.items():
print(f"{element:12} | {description}")
# Platform-specific tips
dalle_tips = [
"Be specific and detailed",
"Use natural language",
"Describe lighting and mood",
"DALL-E 3 enhances prompts automatically",
"Can use longer, more descriptive prompts",
]
midjourney_tips = [
"Start with subject, then add modifiers",
"Use art-specific terms (octane render, trending on artstation)",
"Experiment with stylization values",
"Reference artists for consistent style",
"Use --no for negative prompts",
"Test different chaos values for variety",
]
print("\n\nDALL-E Tips:")
for tip in dalle_tips:
print(f" • {tip}")
print("\nMidjourney Tips:")
for tip in midjourney_tips:
print(f" • {tip}")
📊 Platform Comparison
| Feature | DALL-E 3 | DALL-E 2 | Midjourney v6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | API, ChatGPT | API | Discord bot |
| Image Quality | Excellent (realistic) | Good | Excellent (artistic) |
| Prompt Following | Very accurate | Moderate | Very accurate |
| Max Resolution | 1792x1024 | 1024x1024 | 2048+ (upscale) |
| Speed | ~10-30 seconds | ~5-10 seconds | ~30-60 seconds |
| Cost | $0.04-$0.08/image | $0.02/image | $10-$60/month |
| Editing | No | Inpainting, variations | Remix, vary region |
| Best For | Realistic, programmatic | Quick iterations | Artistic, stylized |
🚀 Practical Application
import json
from datetime import datetime
class ImageGenerationWorkflow:
"""Production workflow for AI image generation"""
def __init__(self, platform="dalle"):
self.platform = platform
self.client = OpenAI(api_key=os.getenv('OPENAI_API_KEY'))
self.history = []
def generate(self, prompt, **kwargs):
"""Generate image with metadata tracking"""
start_time = datetime.now()
if self.platform == "dalle":
image, revised_prompt = generate_dalle_image(prompt, **kwargs)
elif self.platform == "midjourney":
# Implement Midjourney generation
image, revised_prompt = None, None
end_time = datetime.now()
# Track generation
metadata = {
'prompt': prompt,
'revised_prompt': revised_prompt,
'platform': self.platform,
'timestamp': start_time.isoformat(),
'duration': (end_time - start_time).total_seconds(),
'parameters': kwargs,
}
self.history.append(metadata)
return image, metadata
def batch_generate(self, prompts, save_dir='outputs'):
"""Generate multiple images"""
os.makedirs(save_dir, exist_ok=True)
results = []
for i, prompt in enumerate(prompts):
print(f"Generating {i+1}/{len(prompts)}: {prompt[:50]}...")
image, metadata = self.generate(prompt)
if image:
filename = f"{save_dir}/image_{i+1}_{datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d_%H%M%S')}.png"
image.save(filename)
metadata['filename'] = filename
results.append(metadata)
# Save metadata
with open(f"{save_dir}/metadata.json", 'w') as f:
json.dump(results, f, indent=2)
print(f"\nGenerated {len(results)} images in {save_dir}/")
return results
def export_history(self, filename='generation_history.json'):
"""Export generation history"""
with open(filename, 'w') as f:
json.dump(self.history, f, indent=2)
print(f"History exported to {filename}")
# Example workflow
workflow = ImageGenerationWorkflow(platform="dalle")
# Generate multiple images
prompts = [
"a futuristic cityscape at night, neon lights, cyberpunk style",
"a peaceful mountain lake at sunrise, misty atmosphere",
"an abstract representation of artificial intelligence",
]
results = workflow.batch_generate(prompts, save_dir='ai_images')
# Export history
workflow.export_history()
print(f"\nProcessed {len(results)} prompts successfully!")
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
use_cases = {
'Product Photography': {
'Best Platform': 'DALL-E 3',
'Why': 'Realistic, precise, good with objects',
'Example': 'Professional product shot of wireless headphones, white background, studio lighting',
},
'Concept Art': {
'Best Platform': 'Midjourney',
'Why': 'Artistic style, creative interpretation',
'Example': 'Fantasy character concept art, detailed armor, dramatic pose --ar 2:3 --v 6 --s 750',
},
'Marketing Assets': {
'Best Platform': 'DALL-E 3',
'Why': 'Brand consistency, text integration, API access',
'Example': 'Modern minimal hero image for tech startup, blue gradient, professional',
},
'Book Covers': {
'Best Platform': 'Midjourney',
'Why': 'Artistic quality, unique style',
'Example': 'Epic fantasy book cover, dragon flying over castle, dramatic sky --ar 2:3 --v 6',
},
'Social Media': {
'Best Platform': 'DALL-E 3',
'Why': 'Fast API access, batch generation',
'Example': 'Instagram post background, colorful abstract pattern, modern aesthetic',
},
'Game Assets': {
'Best Platform': 'Midjourney + DALL-E 2',
'Why': 'Midjourney for style, DALL-E 2 for variations',
'Example': 'Isometric game tile, medieval fantasy village, pixel art style --ar 1:1 --tile',
},
}
print("Use Case Recommendations:\n")
for use_case, details in use_cases.items():
print(f"{use_case}:")
for key, value in details.items():
print(f" {key}: {value}")
print()
🎯 Key Takeaways
- DALL-E 3: Best for realistic, precise, programmatic generation
- Midjourney: Best for artistic, stylized, creative outputs
- Both allow commercial use with proper subscriptions
- Prompt engineering is crucial for both platforms
- Iterate and refine prompts for best results
- Use API (DALL-E) for automation and workflows
- Midjourney parameters offer fine-grained control
- Consider cost and speed for your use case