> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/features/image-generation.md).

# Image Generation

Image Generation is where you create and edit still images in Chat Video Pro. Use it for prompt-based images, image edits, thumbnails, transparent cutouts, image upscaling, and quick visual ideas.

If the image is meant to become part of a Studio video workflow, start with Studio Cinematic Lab. Cinematic Lab is designed for cinematic stills, source frames, look development, thumbnails, key art, and frames you may later animate in Motion Director, Multi-Cam, AI Transitions, or Relight Scene.

***

### What Image Generation Is For

Use Image Generation when you want to:

* Create an image from a text prompt.
* Edit or transform an existing image.
* Build a thumbnail concept.
* Remove a background.
* Upscale a final image.
* Create graphics, backgrounds, mood boards, product visuals, or social assets.
* Generate a still that can later become a video source image.

Use Studio when you want a more guided production workflow, especially for cinematic frames or images that feed directly into other Studio tools.

***

### Available Features

[**Supported Image Models**](/features/image-generation/supported-image-models.md)

Choose the right image model without reading a spec sheet. Use this page when you are deciding between Nano Banana, GPT Image 2, Flux, Seedream, Grok, Z-Image, Canvas Editor, background removal, or upscaling.

[**Text-to-Image**](/features/image-generation/text-to-image.md)

Create a new image from a written prompt. Use this for concepts, product visuals, backgrounds, thumbnail ideas, mood boards, and still assets.

[**Image-to-Image**](/features/image-generation/image-to-image.md)

Edit an existing image with a prompt. Use this when you already have a source image and want to change style, add or remove elements, adjust a visual direction, or create variations.

[**Canvas Editor**](/features/image-generation/canvas-editor.md)

Use a more controlled image editing workspace with layers, masks, annotations, and visual editing tools. Use this when a plain prompt is not enough and you need to guide exactly where changes should happen.

[**Background Removal**](/features/image-generation/background-removal.md)

Remove backgrounds from images and create transparent cutouts. Use this for products, portraits, thumbnails, graphics, and compositing.

[**Image Upscaling**](/features/image-generation/image-upscaling.md)

Increase image resolution after the image is approved. Use upscaling as a finishing pass, not as a way to fix a weak image.

[**Thumbnail Mode**](/features/image-generation/thumbnail-mode.md)

Create thumbnail-focused images with settings and workflows designed for clickable YouTube and social visuals.

***

### Image Generation vs. Studio Cinematic Lab

Both can create still images, but they are designed for different jobs.

<table><thead><tr><th width="327">Use Image Generation when...</th><th>Use Studio Cinematic Lab when...</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>You need a quick image or edit.</td><td>You need a cinematic frame or key art.</td></tr><tr><td>You want direct model control.</td><td>You want camera, lens, focal length, aperture, references, and look controls.</td></tr><tr><td>You are making a general graphic, background, or image asset.</td><td>The image may become a Motion Director, Multi-Cam, AI Transition, or Relight source.</td></tr><tr><td>You are editing an existing image.</td><td>You are building production-style source frames from scratch.</td></tr></tbody></table>

The practical rule: use Image Generation for normal image work, and use Cinematic Lab when the still needs to feel like part of a production.

***

### Getting Started

#### Quick Path

Use the top-right model selector and type a natural image request in chat.

Best for:

* Fast ideas.
* Casual images.
* Visual brainstorming.
* Moments where aspect ratio and quality settings are not critical.

#### Full Control

Enable **Generate Media** when you need control over model, aspect ratio, quality, resolution, or attached source images.

Best for:

* Production images.
* Specific output formats.
* Model comparisons.
* Image edits.
* Thumbnail or social deliverables.

#### Studio Path

Open **Studio** and choose **Cinematic Lab** when you want a cinematic still with production-style controls.

Best for:

* Hero frames.
* Key art.
* Thumbnail bases.
* Look development.
* Source frames for Motion Director, Multi-Cam, AI Transitions, or Relight Scene.

***

### Quick Reference

<table><thead><tr><th width="310">Goal</th><th>Best starting point</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Quick image from chat</td><td>Top-right image model selector</td></tr><tr><td>Prompt-based image with settings</td><td>Text-to-Image</td></tr><tr><td>Edit an existing image</td><td>Image-to-Image</td></tr><tr><td>Controlled mask/layer edit</td><td>Canvas Editor</td></tr><tr><td>Transparent cutout</td><td>Background Removal</td></tr><tr><td>Higher-resolution final</td><td>Image Upscaling</td></tr><tr><td>YouTube thumbnail concept</td><td>Thumbnail Mode</td></tr><tr><td>Cinematic still for video workflow</td><td>Studio Cinematic Lab</td></tr><tr><td>Animate a still</td><td>Image-to-Video or Studio Motion Director</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Workflow Tips

#### Pick The Final Shape Early

Choose the aspect ratio for the destination: 16:9 for YouTube thumbnails and video frames, 9:16 for vertical social, 1:1 or 4:5 for feed posts, and wider ratios for banners or cinematic frames.

#### Generate Before You Upscale

Upscale only after the image is approved. If composition, text, lighting, face quality, or product shape is wrong, fix that first.

#### Use GPT Image 2 When Text Matters

If the image contains signs, labels, title cards, packaging, or readable words, try GPT Image 2 early. For the final thumbnail text, manual text placement may still be cleaner.

#### Use References For Consistency

When a person, product, location, or brand style needs to stay consistent, attach references or use Cinematic Lab references.

#### Send Strong Images to the Studio

A good still can become the start of a larger workflow:

* Animate it in Motion Director.
* Generate alternate angles in Multi-Cam.
* Bridge it to another frame in AI Transitions.
* Relight it in Relight Scene.

***

### Next Steps

* Choose a model with [Supported Image Models](/features/image-generation/supported-image-models.md).
* Create a still with [Text-to-Image](/features/image-generation/text-to-image.md).
* Edit an image with[ Image-to-Image](/features/image-generation/image-to-image.md).
* Build a cinematic frame with Studio [Cinematic Lab](/features/studio/cinematic-lab.md).
* Animate a finished still with [Image-to-Video](/features/video-generation/image-to-video.md) or Studio [Motion Director](/features/studio/motion-director.md).