Midjourney (MJ) is a well-known text to image generative artificial intelligence (AI). Every Wednesday founder David Holz holds a live meeting on their official discord server where he updates the community on the behind the scenes and does a Q and A. More information on dates and time can be found at the top of the channel list on the Discord Server under the name Midjourney. Look for the “Event”. This blog is based on notes I took while listening to Office Hours on 1 March 2023. I am not affiliated with Midjourney.
This week David reminisced about a fun filled but chaotic brainstorming session with Grimes. The pair were inundated with images but commented and went through as many as they could, just having a great time. David said they will hold off on another event until they can think of a more practical way to interact with everyone.
One of the latest developments in MJ is the release of V5 to select Mods and Guides and according to feedback it promises to be more powerful, more detailed, and more accurate than previous versions. V5 has been in development for a few months, and the team at MJ is working hard to fine-tune its features and style. According to David, V5 is a major leap forward in terms of image quality and detail. The consensus is a comparison of the leap between V3 and V4 which was huge. The AI has improved teeth, eyes, swords, and hands. If the images produced by V5 are anything Like the detailed V5 images David gave us a peek at then I think we will be pleased. As an aside seeing David’s wizard and cats' imagery was very endearing. David has already admitted to loving to prompt cats.
One of the most significant improvements in V5 is the introduction of a less overwhelming styling for better prompts. MJ's previous versions had a distinctive style that was recognizable, but also somewhat limiting. The new version aims to be less consuming, which means that users can experiment with different styles and generate more varied and diverse images. However, the team is still figuring out what the final aesthetics of V5 will look like. They are constantly tuning and experimenting, trying to find the right balance between quality and style.
One of the challenges they're facing is creating a less opinionated upscaler, one that doesn't change the image in the process of upscaling. This is a critical feature for users who want to maintain the integrity of their original images while using Midjourney’s upscaling capabilities.
Another feature that the developers are working on is the out-painting/zoom-out feature, which is in the queue to be made. Although the team has stated that it's doable, it's not at the top of the list right now. Tiling, on the other hand, is working well, and will probably be in V5.
In addition to V5, they are also working on NIJI-V5 but it's somewhat behind MJ in terms of development. NIJI-V5 is undergoing significant improvements, and the team is working hard to get it where it needs to be. They are optimistic about the new NIJI's potential and believe that it will be a valuable addition.
They are also working on a magazine, which will be available in the next week or two. The first issue will be free, while subsequent issues will require shipping costs to be paid. The magazine will feature content related to MJ, including tutorials and interviews.
The team is working hard to recruit web and mobile members to help with the development and maintenance of the website and app. Although MJ has a dedicated user base, the team understands that they need to continue to innovate and improve to stay competitive in a fast-paced industry.
Oh and by the way, looks like they may be having a rating party for some V5 images. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on the reveal.
Signing off
Cy
