How to Test an sref

This tutorial is for when you have found a style reference code that you like. You can test the sref to find out how far you can take it, i.e. explore its characteristics and capabilities.

The First Run

I start with a super simple prompt. It's often just one word. The prompt doesn't include any color, technique, aesthetic or style references.

Let's say this was the sref I found and liked: 2676946121

My first run could be:

a woman --sref 2676946121

You can use any prompt you'd like. I'm using 'a woman' on all my first runs for consistency.

After this first run, I add the style raw parameter.

a woman --style raw --sref 2676946121

Important to know

Sometimes --style raw does not have any significant effect on the style. And sometimes it can make a small difference, either by itself of with other parameters and what is in your prompt.

This is why I test the sref with --style raw.

From now on I will run two variations for all prompts I test:

One without --style raw
One with --style raw

I will do this until I can determine which one I prefer.

Photorealistic?

Many style references start as an illustration. If I want to create photorealistic images I need to check how willing the sref is to cooperate. I should say - how easily it is willing to cooperate.

So at this stage, I add one of these words into the prompt:

photo
photograph
photorealistic

I run this adjusted prompt with the two style variations (default and raw).

photo of a woman --style raw --sref 2676946121

For this sref, how different are the images with the default style vs. style raw? Maybe a little.

Note!
I do not use seeds, they are not super reliable, that is they do not produce consistent enough results.

Add Stylize

Stylize parameter is another way to influence the results. It's time to test what adding stylize does to your sref.

Stylize values go from 0 to 1000. 100 is the default.

I could run stylize values between 0 and 100 but for most prompts adding something over 100 generates great results.

I test five stylize values and run the parameter as permutations, like this:

photo of a woman --sref 2676946121 --stylize {200, 400, 600, 800, 1000}

Using permutations generates the image grids with all five stylize values with just the one prompt.

You can click/tap on the images to open them in lightboxes.

a photo of a woman --sref 2676946121 --s [your value]

a photo of a woman --style raw --sref 2676946121 --s [your value]

My favorite settings for this sref are with --style raw and with stylize 600 or 800. I will run both of these stylize settings moving forward.

Your favorite settings can be completely different from mine and often will depend on what you are looking to achieve.

Aspect Ratios

If you want your images to be something other than a square, it's time to test your sref with one or more aspect ratios.

The aspect ratio can influence the generated images. To determine to what extent for this sref, I run a few aspect ratios with my favorite settings.

I start with aspect ratios 2:3 and 3:2.

If you have specific aspect ratio requirements test those here.

I run the aspect ratios as permutations, to speed up the process.

My prompt now looks like this:

photo of a woman --style raw --sref 2676946121 --stylize {600, 800} --ar {2:3, 3:2}

photo of a woman --ar 3:2 --style raw --sref 2676946121 --stylize 800

photo of a woman --ar 2:3 --style raw --sref 2676946121 --stylize 800

I like the results with both aspect ratios and stylize values!

It's time to kick the testing into the 'where the magic happens' territory.

Prompts + Parameters

Run wild!

Change your prompt.

Try adding other parameters: chaos, weird, style weight... you are the muse.

Do both.

Find your treasures!!

abstract binary code falling down, photography --ar 3:2 --style raw --sref 2676946121 --stylize 600

closeup of a volcano and lava, documentary photography --chaos 11 --ar 3:2 --style raw --sref 2676946121 --stylize 600

This type of testing gives you a really good idea of the sref, its characteristics and its capabilities.

However, it can also burn a lot of fast hours.

You can certainly jump right into trying your favorite settings without more extensive exploration too!

And you can explore this sref index and learning library, too! You can copy and use my favorite settings + prompts for srefs I share.

Alie