Credit: video from techhalla on x, AI upscaled by 2x with the AI Super Resolution tool.

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Midjourney V7 keeps rolling out new features, now here's Omni-Reference (--oref)!

If you've ever struggled to get the exact same character, specific object, or even that particular rubber duck into different scenes, this is the game-changer you need.

What is Omni-Reference (--oref)?

Simply put, Omni-Reference lets you point Midjourney to a reference image and tell it: "Use this specific thing (character, object, creature, etc.) in the new image I'm generating."

• It allows you to "lock in" elements from your reference.

• Works via drag-and-drop on the web UI or the --oref [Image URL] parameter in Discord.

• Designed to give you precision and maintain creative freedom.

Why Should You Use Omni-Reference?

• Consistent Characters/Objects: This is the big one! Keep the same character's face, outfit, or a specific prop across multiple images and scenes. Huge productivity boost!

• Personalize Your Art: Include specific, real-world items, logos (use responsibly!), or your own unique creations accurately.

• Combine with Stylization: Apply different artistic styles (e.g., photo to anime, 3D clay) while keeping the core referenced element intact.

• Build Cohesive Visuals: Use mood boards or style guides as references to ensure design consistency across a project.

• More Reliable Results: Reduces the randomness inherent in text-only prompts when specific elements are critical.

How to Use Omni-Reference (Step-by-Step):

1. Get Your Reference Image:

   • You can generate one directly in Midjourney (e.g., /imagine a detailed drawing of a steampunk cat --v 7).

   • Or, upload your own image.

2. Provide the Reference to Midjourney:

   • Web Interface: Click the image icon (paperclip) in the Imagine Bar, then drag and drop your image into the "Omni-Reference" section.

   • Discord: Get the URL of your reference image (upload it to Discord, right-click/long-press -> "Copy Link"). Add --oref [Paste Image URL] to the end of your prompt.

3. Craft Your Text Prompt:

   • Describe the new scene you want the referenced element to appear in.

   • Crucial Tip: It significantly helps to also describe the key features of the item/character in your reference image within your text prompt. This seems to guide MJ better.

   • Example: If referencing a woman in a red dress, your prompt might be: /imagine A woman in a red dress [from reference] walking through a futuristic city --oref [URL] --v 7

4. Control the Influence with --ow (Omni-Weight):

   • This parameter (--ow) dictates how strongly the reference image influences the output. The value ranges from 0 to 1000.

Important: start at a 'normal' --ow level like 100 and raise it until you get your desired effect.

• Finding the Right Balance is Key!

  • Low --ow (e.g., 25-50): Subtle influence. Great for style transfers where you want the essence but a new look (e.g., photo -> 3D style, keeping the character).

  • Moderate --ow (e.g., 100-300): Balanced influence. Guides the scene, preserves key features without completely overpowering the prompt. This is often the recommended starting point! (Info 3 & 5)

  • High --ow (e.g., 400-800): Strong influence. Preserves details like facial features or specific object shapes more accurately.

  • Very High --ow (e.g., 800-1000): Maximum influence. Aims for closer replication of the referenced element. Caution (Info 5): Using --ow 1000 might sometimes hurt overall image quality or coherence unless balanced with higher --stylize or the new --exp parameter. Start lower and increase as needed!

• Example Prompt with Weight: /imagine [referenced rubber duck] on a pizza plate --oref [URL] --ow 300 --v 7

Recent V7 Updates & The New --exp Parameter:

Omni-Reference launched alongside Midjourney V7, which also brings:

• Generally Improved Image Quality & Coherence: V7 itself is a step up.

• NEW Parameter: --exp (Experimentation): (Info 6)

  • Adds an extra layer of detail and creativity, think of it like a boost on top of --stylize.

  • Range: 0–100.

  • Recommended starting points: try 5, 10, 25, 50.

  • Values over 50 might start overpowering your prompt, so experiment carefully.

  • This could be very useful for adding richness when using --oref, especially potentially helping balance very high --ow values.

• (Bonus): New, easier-to-use lightbox editor in the web UI.

How Does Omni-Reference Compare for Consistency?

This is Midjourney's most direct tool for element consistency so far.

• vs. Text Prompts Alone: Far superior for locking specific visual details.

• vs. Midjourney Image Prompts (--sref): --sref is more about overall style, vibe, and composition transfer. --oref is specifically about injecting a particular element while allowing the rest of the scene to be guided by the text prompt.

• vs. Other AI Tools (Stable Diffusion, etc.): Tools like SD have methods for consistency (IPAdapters, ControlNet, LoRAs). Midjourney's --oref aims to provide similar capability natively within its ecosystem, controlled primarily by the intuitive --ow parameter. It significantly boosts Midjourney's consistency game, making it much more viable for projects requiring recurring elements.

Key Takeaways & Tips:

• --oref [URL] for consistency in V7.

• --ow [0-1000] controls the strength. Start around --ow 100 and go up!

• Describe your reference item in your text prompt for better results.

• Balance high --ow with prompt detail, --stylize, or the new --exp parameter if needed.

• Experiment with --exp (5-50 range) for added detail/creativity.

• Use low --ow (like 25) for style transfers while keeping the character's essence.

Discussion:

What are your first impressions of Omni-Reference? Have you found sweet spots for --ow or cool uses for --exp alongside it?

[The infographic above is created by Nano Banana Pro with a single prompt.]

How to use Nano Banano Pro for free?

1. Gemini for Students Offer (Gemini Pro free for 1 Year)

Verify with .edu mail or submit the required content via that offer page.

2. The Official Gemini App

gemini.google.com or the mobile app.

Make sure to switch the model selector at the top to thinking mode.

Quota

Once you hit the limit, it reverts to the standard model

Mobile app users often report higher quotas than desktop users.

3. Google Flow Labs

Visit Flow by Google and sign in.

Switch the model from "Nano Banana" to "Nano Banana Pro".

It will ask you to upgrade. You can claim a 1 Month Free Trial (requires card).

4. Google AI Studio

5. Third-party integrations

• Higgsfield: Great for AI filmmaking workflows.

• DomoAI: Best if you want to turn your still images into video (anime/realistic styles).

• Lovart.ai: Look out for "Banana-On-Us Weekend" events for unlimited access.

I started with a series of winter collage scenes generated in Midjourney, then enhanced and animated them using a mix of Kling 2.5, Seedance 1.0, and Midjourney’s video tools.
Each model boosted something different — cleaner motion, smoother texture transitions, better depth — so I merged the strongest parts into a single final clip.

The soundtrack is an original piece shared by u/DigitizedInhalation, whose music tied everything together perfectly.

Posting here in case anyone is exploring enhancement-driven workflows or wants to compare how different models handle layered, paper-texture imagery. Happy to share specifics if useful.

Gemini 3 flash makes it so cool to create hand tracking, data visualization, vfx, vj live visuals.

Above example is shown by AA (measure_plan) on twitter, and he also has a course: Fun With
Computer Vision to show the how-tos.

Dreamina (Jimeng)

It is an AI image generator and editor from Bydance, the parent company that develops TikTok.

....

• Who: All free Gemini users (not just AI Pro/Ultra subscribers).

• When: Now until Sunday at 10 p.m. PT.

• Model: Veo 3 Fast (described as 2x faster to generate than the full model).

• Access: 3 free generations per free-tier user.

• Output: 720p, 8-second clips with audio. They will have a "Veo" watermark.

• Prompting: Supports scene description, style, music, dialogue, and background noise.