Three to five examples
Volume 04 / Image Generation / 02
IMGImage Generation / Reference
Image Generation Reference: A reference is a direction, not a shortcut.
Use reference images, style boards, character anchors, and source notes without copying what you do not own.
Reference images should explain taste, not launder permission.
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Overview
Image Generation
Reference
Updated May 2026
Good references are labeled: palette, crop, posture, material, or continuity.
That is how a visual set forms without copying someone else's finished work.
How to approach it
A simple path through reference.
Image generation is art direction: prompt, reference, edit, style, export, and rights all decide whether the file is usable.
What each one gives
Avoid copying
Keep source notes
Top five how-tos
Start with these.
The fastest route into the most common Image Generation reference tasks.
Related guides
Keep going.
More practical guides for the same account, file, prompt, setting, or workflow.
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A practical walkthrough for this part of Image Generation.
FAQs
Reference questions.
Short answers before you change settings, upload files, connect apps, generate images, or publish work.
Q.01
When should I use a reference image?
Use it when composition, character, product shape, palette, or continuity matters more than novelty.
Q.02
How do I avoid copying a reference?
Describe what you are borrowing: angle, lighting, palette, mood, or structure. Do not ask for a duplicate.
Q.03
What makes a good reference set?
Three to five images with labels explaining what each one contributes.
Q.04
Can reference images create rights issues?
Yes. Keep source notes and avoid using private, copyrighted, or likeness-sensitive material without permission.