ChatGPT’s AI image generation is now available for free users: Here’s how to use it
OpenAI has made its image generation feature available for free to ChatGPT users. CEO Sam Altman announced the rollout, sparking a mix of praise and criticism. Users can now create custom visuals from text prompts using this new capability. The move is expected to enhance creativity and exploration among users.
ChatGPT users, we have good news! OpenAI has extended its AI-powered image generation feature to free ChatGPT users. On Tuesday, Apr. 1, the company announced the major update that anyone with an account on the platform can create custom visuals from text prompts. Initially launched for paid subscribers, the rollout faced delays for free users due to high demand that strained server capacity.
On Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took to his X account to drop the major update. "ChatGPT image generation now rolled out to all free users," Altman said. The new update was met with both applause and criticism. One X user commented, "Bro what’s the use of introducing a new update & limiting the rates on image generation especially for paid users???? It’s so annoying with the constant feedback of violating content policies when I’m asking for something as simple as a family man with his kids?? What’s going on?" Another asked, "What advantages do I have as a paid user?"
Meanwhile, Altman also encouraged users to continue to use OpenAI's ChatGPT. "We will not do anything silly like saying that you can't use our open model if your service has more than 700 million monthly active users. We want everyone to use it!" he said in a post on X.
How to use ChatGPT’s image-generation tool?
Access ChatGPT: Go to the official website or download the ChatGPT app on your mobile device. Log in to your OpenAI account with your credentials. Free users now have access to the image-generation feature, though it’s still rolling out progressively, so availability might depend on your region or account.
Enter a text prompt: In the chat interface, go to the message input area and type a detailed description of the image you want. For example, “a futuristic cityscape at sunset with flying cars” or “a cute kitten in a pirate hat on a wooden ship.” You can also provide aspect ratio, colour schemes using hex codes or opt for transparent backgrounds with ease. Remember the more specific you are, the better the results.
Submit and wait: Hit enter to submit your prompt. ChatGPT will process it and generate an image. This usually takes about a minute, though times can vary with server demand, especially for free users.
View the result: Once generated, the image appears in the chat. It’ll be a unique visual based on your description and prompt.
Refine if needed: If you are not satisfied by the image, and want tweaks, mention it in the reply in the same chat. For instance, you can give instructions like “make the sky bluer” or “add a rainbow.” GPT adjust the image, though major edits might require a new prompt.
Download or share: Once the image is generated, you can save the image to your device by right-clicking (on desktop) or tapping (on mobile) and selecting the download option. Share it directly from the interface if you’d like.