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Dall-E Review: A Deep Dive into This AI Image Generation’s Capabilities

August 24, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

In this article, we’ll delve into the captivating world of Dall E, the AI image generation tool that is transforming how we envision and create visual content.

Dall-E

Key Takeaways

  • Dall-E offers an innovative way to create stunning images from text prompts, making it a valuable tool for content creators, marketers, and anyone interested in AI-driven creativity.
  • Dall-E is best for individuals and professionals looking to effortlessly translate ideas into visual masterpieces and those eager to explore the possibilities of AI-generated art.

What is Dall-E?

DALL-E is a smart AI system designed by OpenAI which can take written instructions and turn them into realistic pictures. Its name mixes Salvador Dali, a famous artist, and WALL-E from Pixar’s movie.

  • DALL-E: OpenAI officially introduced DALL-E in January 2021. This system blends two models, GPT-3 and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), to create lifelike images.
  • DALL-E 2: After the initial success of DALL-E, OpenAI unveiled its successor, DALL-E 2, in April 2022. DALL-E 2 builds upon the first version by making even more realistic images and incorporating various styles that were previously impossible.
Dall-E

Features of Dall-E

Dall-E boasts several significant attributes:

  • AI-based Image Generation: At its core, Dall-E is designed to generate images through text-based instructions. This innovative capability allows users to articulate their visual concepts using language, and Dall-E translates these textual prompts into vivid and coherent images.
  • Deep Learning Integration: By assimilating written prompts and visual cues, Dall-E comprehensively understands the desired image, creating accurate and artistically expressive images.
  • Image Enhancement: Dall-E offers an additional dimension of utility – image enhancement. Equipped with AI-based editing capabilities, Dall-E provides users a tool to refine and improve their existing images. 
  • Dual Accessibility: Dall-E is available both as a graphical user interface (GUI), providing a user-friendly visual platform, and as an API for more technical integrations.
  • Ownership Rights: When you utilize Dall-E to generate images, you retain complete ownership rights over those images. This assurance is significant in today’s digital landscape, where ownership and intellectual property issues are paramount.

These attributes collectively make Dall-E a versatile and powerful image generation and enhancement tool.

How Do You Generate AI Images Through Text?

Creating images using Dall-E’s AI-driven system involves a straightforward process that relies on the synergy of AI and human interaction. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how Dall-E brings text prompts to life as original images:

When you input a text prompt into Dall-E, the magic begins. The system draws upon its training from diverse datasets, applying the knowledge it has gained from extensive image references. 

This process enables Dall-E to craft images that align precisely with your provided prompts. Importantly, this intuitive process doesn’t necessitate advanced coding skills or technical know-how, making it accessible to many users.

For instance, if you ask DALL-E, it can swiftly create a picture of a fox with three hands reading a Harry Potter book.

Its latest iteration, Dall-E 2, introduces additional capabilities that enhance its usability and creative potential. Among these enhancements is the ability to edit existing images by incorporating new visual elements or expanding the canvas by generating related visuals that seamlessly integrate with the original image.

Dall-E

Utilizing Dall-E 2

Dall-E 2’s user-friendly approach makes harnessing its capabilities a breeze. Here’s how you can make the most of Dall-E 2:

  • Web-Based GUI: To utilize Dall-E 2, navigate to OpenAI’s website and access the tool via the web-based graphical user interface (GUI). This interface is designed to simplify interaction, allowing even those unfamiliar with AI programs to effortlessly input text prompts and receive their desired images in return.
  • Editing Interface: Dall-E 2 introduced an editing interface in late 2022, characterized by its user-friendly design. Equipped with an easy-to-use eraser tool, this interface empowers users to edit or enhance their images with Dall-E’s assistance selectively. Users can creatively customize their visuals by removing specific parts of an image and incorporating new text prompts.
  • Generation Frame Tool: Enhancing the flexibility of image expansion, Dall-E 2 introduces the “Generation Frame” tool. This tool facilitates the enlargement of an existing image’s canvas and size. Positioned at the image’s top, bottom, or sides, the generation frame allows users to extend their visuals seamlessly. The frame’s size can be adjusted to fit individual preferences. After setting the generation frame and providing a prompt to Dall-E, the image expands while maintaining visual harmony, theme, and art style.

Dall-E Uses Various AI-Based Techniques to Enhance Its Visual Prowess

Dall-E employs various advanced techniques rooted in artificial intelligence to elevate its visual capabilities. 

Here’s an in-depth look at how Dall-E harnesses AI for remarkable image generation:

At the heart of Dall-E’s capabilities lies a neural network, a fundamental component of deep learning, a subset of AI. Deep learning processes vast amounts of data to gain insights into specific subjects. This process involves recognizing patterns and deciphering relationships between different data segments.

The neural network integral to Dall-E’s training is CLIP, which stands for Contrastive Language-Image Pre-training. What sets CLIP apart is its zero-shot learning (ZSL) setup. This unique feature enables CLIP to evaluate visual samples and textual references even if it has not encountered them previously. This is achieved through the extensive datasets CLIP has been trained on, allowing it to establish connections between visual and text information.

Dall-E has undergone rigorous training involving no fewer than 12 billion parameters to absorb these visual and textual references. These parameters serve as labels that associate different images with corresponding text references. This extensive training equips Dall-E with comprehending user requests and generating images accordingly. This capability extends beyond straightforward concepts, enabling Dall-E to create images of abstract ideas, such as anthropomorphic characters originating from inanimate objects.

Interestingly, Dall-E’s AI model closely mirrors another product by OpenAI, the Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3 (GPT-3). While GPT-3 predicts the subsequent words in a text it generates, Dall-E follows a distinct approach by envisioning the composition of a complete image based on sequentially generated elements.

Dall-E

Unraveling Dall-E’s Process

Understanding the mechanics behind Dall-E’s approach unveils its remarkable ability to craft high-quality images from scratch. Additionally, this insight clarifies how Dall-E seamlessly extends images and enhances existing ones.

Through a carefully curated neural network, an extensive parameter library, and an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), Dall-E democratizes the power of evolving generative AI technology, making it accessible to all to create compelling images.

In Detail:

  • Neural Network at Play: Dall-E leverages a specialized neural network called CLIP, which is adept at understanding visual and text references even when encountering them for the first time.
  • Power of Deep Learning: The heart of Dall-E’s capabilities lies in deep learning, which processes vast data sets to recognize patterns and relationships, ultimately enhancing its image generation proficiency.
  • 12 Billion Parameters: Dall-E’s training involves an extensive parameter count of 12 billion, enabling it to associate images with specific text references and enhancing its understanding of user requests.
  • Matching GPT-3 and Dall-E: While GPT-3 focuses on text generation, Dall-E takes a unique path by orchestrating the composition of complete images based on sequential element generation.
  • Accessible and Intuitive: Dall-E employs its neural network, parameter-rich training, and user-friendly GUI to democratize generative AI for image production, making it inclusive and comprehensible for everyone.

Dall-E Review: How Much Does Dall-E Cost?

If you’re curious about the financial aspect of using Dall-E, let’s delve into its pricing structure and what it entails:

Dall-E, developed by OpenAI, operates on a credit-based system. When you purchase credits, you acquire the currency to perform various actions within the tool. Each credit corresponds to a single image generation request, giving you the power to create images from text prompts, edit existing images, or expand the canvas of images.

When you request an image generation, Dall-E provides four variations as part of the package. However, if you desire additional variations, it costs an extra credit per request.

As of the time of writing, Dall-E offers a pricing plan of 115 credits for $15. It’s important to note that the credits you purchase have a validity period of 12 months. This window allows you to utilize your credits over a year through the user-friendly web interface or the Dall-E API.

Dall-E

Comparing Dall-E’s Pricing

Regarding pricing, Dall-E positions itself in a particular tier relative to its competitors, such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion. Midjourney offers a pricing starting point of $10, providing users with 200 image generation requests. A higher-tier plan of $30 grants unlimited image-generation requests. Meanwhile, Stable Diffusion charges $100 for 100 image credits.

It’s worth considering that Dall-E’s pricing is higher than its closest competitors. However, Dall-E’s robust features and capabilities justify this higher price point. Dall-E’s AI model is extensively trained, offering unique image extension tools that set it apart. These additional functionalities contribute to its positioning in a higher price range.

Factors to Consider

As you evaluate whether Dall-E’s services align with your needs, remember that Dall-E offers a starting point for potential users. 

Upon signing up, you receive an initial allotment of 50 free credits, which can be used immediately. Subsequently, you’re granted 15 free credits each month. However, it’s essential to note that these free credits come with a one-month expiration date, unlike the paid credits, which remain valid for a year.

With this insight into Dall-E’s pricing structure, you’re better equipped to determine whether the tool’s capabilities align with your requirements and budget.

Dall-E: Pros and Cons

Let’s delve into the strengths and challenges that come with using Dall-E:

Pros:

  • Digital Art Generation: Dall-E is a remarkable tool for crafting digital artwork. This is particularly beneficial for content creators, including bloggers, publishers, social media influencers, and digital marketers. The images generated do not come with licensing restrictions, allowing for their use in commercial endeavors.
  • Editing and Transformation: Users can seamlessly upload their chosen images and employ Dall-E’s image editing and manipulation capabilities through prompts. For instance, user-uploaded images can be artistically transformed into diverse styles like oil paintings or futuristic digital art.
  • Ownership of Images: It’s crucial to recognize that the generated images do not come with licensing constraints. Users hold full control over the use of these images. The generated images’ copyrights and ownership rights are vested in the individuals who bring them to life.
  • Free Offering: One of the standout features of Dall-E is its freemium model. New users can create up to 50 images free of charge in their initial month, equivalent to 50 free credits. Subsequently, users enjoy 15 complimentary credits per month, with the option to purchase additional credits starting at $15.00 for 115 credits.
  • Ethical Safeguards: Recognizing the potential concerns regarding misinformation, Dall-E includes built-in safeguards. These safeguards reject prompts involving public figures and uploads containing human faces, aiming to mitigate misuse. Prompts with potential harm are strictly prohibited and blocked.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Dall-E boasts an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) and API features that simplify image production. This eliminates the need for complex image editing tools, making the entire process more accessible.
Dall-E

Cons:

  • In Early Stages: Dall-E is still in its developmental infancy, which means that absolute perfection cannot be expected from every generated image. Its evolving nature implies that it may encounter limitations in specific scenarios.
  • Dependent on Data: While Dall-E strives to fill in gaps in image generation using its neural network, its performance is bounded by the quality of its training data. This constraint impacts its ability to interpret specific prompts and generate fitting images precisely.
  • Interpreting Unseen Prompts: In cases where Dall-E encounters prompts it hasn’t met before, it will produce an image closest to the prompt’s context. However, this might not always align with your intended instructions, as exemplified by the prompt “swan lake on the stage.”
  • Photorealistic Challenges: Generating photorealistic images may sometimes result in inaccuracies in facial, hand, foot, and anatomical details. This challenge is not exclusive to Dall-E but is shared across the AI tools landscape.

Is Dall-E Worth It? 

Dall-E could very well be a worthwhile venture if you’re someone who embraces new technology, enjoys experimenting with engaging features, and is willing to overlook minor functional hiccups in the spirit of advancement. This is especially applicable if you grasp Dall-E’s limitations and are prepared to tackle these challenges head-on without feeling disheartened.

Fortunately, there’s an appealing avenue available: Dall-E’s provision of free credits. To ensure your satisfaction with the program before committing financially, you can sign up and test the waters using these complimentary credits. If Dall-E meets your expectations and performs admirably, you can invest in the paid credits offered through OpenAI’s platform.

Dall-E: FAQs

Yes, you can. DALL-E offers a freemium model where new users can utilize 50 free credits in their first month. Subsequently, you receive 15 complimentary credits each month.

Yes, DALL-E is available for use. You can access it via its user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) or API.

To use DALL-E, you can sign up for the platform. You’ll receive 50 free credits in your first month to test it out. If you find it meets your needs, you can purchase additional credits.

Yes, using DALL-E is legal. It’s offered by OpenAI as a tool for image generation and manipulation.

While DALL-E provides a freemium offering with free credits, additional usage beyond the complimentary credits may incur costs. You can purchase credits starting at $15.00 for 115 credits.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, Dall-E is a remarkable AI image-generation tool with great promise. Its ability to create images from text prompts opens up creative possibilities for various fields. Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or simply curious about AI technology, Dall-E offers a unique and engaging experience worth exploring.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.