How to use Bing Image Creator (and why it’s better than DALL-E 2)

Generative AI tools have exploded into the mainstream in recent months. It all started with the preview launch of ChatGPT, a conversational AI chatbot from OpenAI that has amazed users with its natural tone, ease of accessibility, and usefulness. 

Also: ChatGPT is more like an ‘alien intelligence’ than a human brain, says futurist

Since then, both Google and Microsoft have released their own AI chatbots with Bard and Bing Chat, respectively, even while the AI craze hasn’t been without its security, ethical, and economic concerns. More recently, Microsoft released an AI image creator within Bing, using a more advanced version of DALL-E 2, another one of OpenAI’s projects.

Similar to using ChatGPT, the DALL-E 2 image generator is accessed by logging into OpenAI’s website, where users can then enter a prompt in a text area and wait while it creates an image using artificial intelligence. 

Also: The best AI art generators to try

There are some key differences between how Bing Image Creator and the original DALL-E 2 work, however, and we’ll explore those as we go along. First, let’s dive into learning how to use the new Bing Image Creator.

How to use the new Bing Image Creator

What you need: Using the Bing Image Creator only requires a Microsoft account and access to Bing.com, no need for a DALL-E 2 or OpenAI account. 

For this prompt, I’m going to request the following: “a photo of a sleeping lion in a room with blue flower wallpaper and gold curtains,” then click on Create and wait for my images to be generated.

FAQ

Can I create images using the new Bing Chat?

There are two ways to use the Bing Image Creator: You can generate images by going to Bing.com/Create or you can create images right from Bing Chat. 

Here’s how you can ask the new Bing to create an image right from the chat window:

1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Go to Bing.com
3. Click on Chat
4. Under “Conversation style,” click on Creative 
5. Write your prompt, beginning with a phrase like “create an image” or “generate a photo” — otherwise Bing will just search for an image with your description.

Also: How to use the new Bing (and how it’s different from ChatGPT)

Bing Chat can only create images when the conversation style is set to Creative. 

How do you write prompts to create images using AI?

The more specific you are in your prompts, the better; think of the prompt as a set of directions for the creation of the image you have in mind. Include adjectives, nouns, and verbs to describe the image and what the subject is doing — even styles are encouraged. If you say, “create a photo of…” you’ll get a different result than if you say create a cartoon, a painting, or a 3D render; so the image style is important.

Here’s how Bing’s Image Creator recommends you format your prompts: Adjective + Noun + Verb + Style. In this case, that would be “Fuzzy creature wearing sunglasses, digital art.” 

Also: How to use ChatGPT to summarize a book, article, or research paper

You can use different terms to describe the style, as well, like impressionism, cubism, abstract, etc. 

Do I own AI-generated images?

The latest from the United States Copyright Office is that AI-generated images are not protected under current copyright laws because they are not the product of human authorship.

AI image generators have created controversy as they’re AI bots trained on images found online, images that have been created by someone else. While the art you created using an image creator tool is unique, it’s created with influences of millions of artists on the internet.

Also: The White House seeks your opinion on ChatGPT and AI tools for safety policy

This is subject to change as the USCO holds listening sessions throughout the first half of 2023 to explore the subject more deeply and make necessary changes.

Is Bing Image Creator free?

Bing’s Image Creator is free at this time, though you can pay for more boosts if you run out. Boosts are like credits, where each prompt you give it to create an image will cost you one of your boosts. Users used to get 25 when they’d first start using the Image Creator, but it seems to have increased to 100. 

Also: ChatGPT vs. Bing Chat: Which AI chatbot should you use?

Once you run out of boosts, the Bing Image Creator will take longer to generate images after it’s given a prompt. Instead of 10-30 seconds, it will then take up to five minutes. 

Microsoft was refilling boosts on a weekly basis, but has now switched to doing so daily. Users also have the option of redeeming Microsoft rewards in exchange for more boosts.

Is Bing Image Creator the same as DALL-E 2?

DALL-E 2 and the Bing Image Creator are not the same. Like with GPT-4 in Bing Chat, Microsoft is incorporating a more advanced version of the AI art generator into its image creator. 

Though the same prompt won’t render the same results twice, you can see the comparison of images created with both DALL-E 2 (left) and Bing Image Creator (right). Beyond artistic differences, the Bing images boast better attention to detail and vibrancy than the DALL-E 2 images. 

Also: 5 ways to use chatbots to make your life easier

Is there a waitlist to use the Bing Image Creator?

There is no waitlist to use the Bing Image Creator at this time, all you have to do is log into the website with your Microsoft account and you’ll have access to it.