How to make custom desktop backgrounds with AI for free

Introduction

Are you tired of the same boring, plain backgrounds on your computer? Have you been curious about using AI to create something unique? If so, you're in the right place! In this article, I'll guide you through the process of making your custom desktop backgrounds using AI art tools, specifically MidJourney and DALL-E 2, all without spending a dime.

Getting Started with AI Art

The rise of AI art has taken the internet by storm, and getting started is easier than you think. For our purposes, we'll focus on two popular AI art generators: MidJourney and DALL-E 2.

Using MidJourney

MidJourney is an excellent AI tool accessed via Discord that generates highly detailed images. However, it primarily produces artwork in a square format. The latest version allows for custom resolutions, but mixed results can occur if you downgrade to earlier versions. Here’s how we can produce our first art piece using MidJourney:

1. Create Prompts: In my Discord server dedicated to MidJourney, I create prompts for the kinds of images I want. For example, prompts like "a man hiking in the mountains with fire all around" or "two girls watching a jousting tournament" provide the AI with direction.

2. Generate Images: After generating several images, select the one that stands out the most to you.

3. Upscale: Once you identify the best image, you can upscale it for a larger version.

Expanding Our Artwork with DALL-E 2

Although MidJourney can create highly detailed images, you might find the dimensions limiting. For that reason, we’ll turn to DALL-E 2 to help us expand our images.

1. Upload Your Artwork: After downloading your chosen MidJourney image, upload it to DALL-E 2.

2. Frame Generation: Use the original artwork as a guide by generating a new frame. You can input descriptive keywords to help DALL-E understand what you want.

3. Produce Expanded Edges: Focus on generating more background to the sides, top, and bottom, ensuring that you maintain coherence with the original artwork.

Refining and Finalizing Your Art

After expanding the image, you may notice a few discrepancies where the new frames were added. To remedy this:

1. Use the Eraser Tool: Remove any unwanted artifacts from the image by re-generating portions of the artwork as needed.

2. Final Touch-ups in Photoshop: If small imperfections remain, consider opening the image in Photoshop for minor edits.

3. Upscaling: To ensure your final artwork isn’t pixelated and is suitable for a desktop background, utilize an online image enlarger to enhance resolution. With this, you can reach resolutions as high as 11,000 by 7,000 pixels, perfect for any display.

At the end of the process, you'll have a stunning custom background that you crafted yourself!

Keywords

• AI Art
• MidJourney
• DALL-E 2
• Custom Backgrounds
• Image Upscaling
• Discord
• Digital Art

FAQ

Q: What are MidJourney and DALL-E 2?
A: MidJourney is an AI art generator accessed via Discord, known for its detailed imagery, while DALL-E 2 is another AI tool used for creating and expanding upon digital images.

Q: Can I use these tools for free?
A: Yes, both MidJourney and DALL-E 2 offer free trials that allow you to generate a limited number of images without payment.

Q: How do I fix imperfections in my artwork?
A: You can use the eraser tool in DALL-E 2 to regenerate parts of the image or use Photoshop for minor touch-ups.

Q: What resolution can I achieve with these methods?
A: By using an image enlarger, you can maximize your artwork's resolution up to 11,000 by 7,000 pixels, suitable for high-quality displays.

Q: Do I need any prior art skills to create custom backgrounds?
A: No prior art skills are necessary! These AI tools allow anyone to create beautiful artwork with a bit of experimentation and creativity.