Creating Magic with Generative AI: A Developer’s Perspective
The world of technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace and AI is at the forefront of this revolution. With the release of open-source Generative AI models by Stability.ai towards the second half of 2022, the AI landscape has exploded with groundbreaking advancements. Every day brings new AI developments that leave us awestruck and wondering what the future holds. As an avid tech enthusiast, I couldn’t resist diving into the world of generative AI, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. Keeping up with the latest AI news, deciphering its implications, and figuring out how to incorporate this cutting-edge technology into my apps has always been a daunting task.
The allure of new technology can be overwhelming, tempting us to explore every shiny new toy that catches our attention. However, the true test lies in our ability to resist falling victim to these distractions and stay focused on the problems at hand. For technology to truly serve its purpose, it must be used to solve real-world issues, not create problems that require the application of technology. The challenge lies not in simply incorporating new technology into our work, but in harnessing its power to make a tangible impact on the world around us.
In this blog, I’ll share my journey of how I started using Generative AI in my apps and provide insights into the limitless possibilities that it offers.
If you’ve been following my journey, you’ll know that my passion for productivity apps is what led me to create immex.tech. My goal has always been to create apps that positively impact the way we live, work, play, and learn. In pursuit of this goal, I have been constantly on the lookout for the right technology to solve the problems at hand.
Launching DreamzAR: Landscape Design App
When I launched DreamzAR, with its augmented reality features, I was excited to offer homeowners and landscaping professionals a way to visualize landscape design in 3D. By using high-quality 3D models of plants, shrubs, and other design elements, we were able to create a life-size representation of the design. However, there was still one problem — users had to be physically present in their yards to design their dream garden. This wasn’t always practical.
That’s when I introduced 2D Landscape Design with Photos. With this feature, users can simply snap a picture of their yard and use 2D or even 3D objects to compose their design from wherever they are. It was a game-changer, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of making it happen.
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that technology is not just about creating something shiny and new. It’s about finding ways to solve real-world problems and make people’s lives easier. By staying true to this principle and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, I believe we can create a brighter future for all.
But I observed one problem when talking to customers
As I talked to customers about landscape design, I couldn’t help but notice a recurring problem. The process was still procedural, which left many feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Creator’s block, lack of imagination, and the search for inspiration were all too common. I knew I had to find a solution to this problem if I was going to fulfill my dream vision of making landscape design truly accessible to everybody.
I dreamed of a declarative approach — one where users could simply tell us what they wanted in their garden and voila, the design would appear before their eyes. I imagined a world where anyone could step into their garden of desire, simply by donning an AR headset and walking out the door. It was an awesome idea, but how could I make it a reality?
I knew that this was the challenge I had to tackle head-on. I refused to let this problem stand in the way of my mission to make landscape design accessible to all. So I dove in, exploring every possibility until I finally discovered a way to make it happen.
Welcome to the incredible world of Generative AI
Generative AI is not just a tool, but a key that unlocks the door to my vision. I have long been searching for a declarative approach to design, and now, with the power of Generative AI, I am one step closer to achieving it.
The recent advancements in 2D and 3D object generation from the text are nothing short of miraculous. It’s amazing to see how a simple piece of text can be transformed into a stunning, lifelike object — all thanks to the power of Generative AI.
And with the arrival of open-source models like stable diffusion, the power of Generative AI is now more accessible than ever before. It’s time for us to embrace this incredible technology and unlock its full potential.
Using Stable Diffusion in Landscape Design
I’ve integrated Stable Diffusion, one of the open-source models which can generate pictures as per input text. I found 2 ways in which I could apply generative AI to the landscape design process.
Landscape Design Idea Generator
Given a set of input parameters, you ask Stable Diffusion Model to generate the landscape design. This is a free-form idea generator. AI will render infinite images for your input parameters and you’ll never run out of ideas.
I launched this option as the first step. Customers now can create an unlimited number of design ideas and draw inspiration.
Here are some input parameters customers could use to generate designs.
AI Landscape Design Stylist
While AI Landscape Design Idea Generator lets you generate an infinite number of inspiration ideas, how about it enables you to generate designs for your own yard? Imagine taking a picture of your yard, and asking AI to generate designs for you. That’s where Stable Diffusion’s In-Painting Mode came in handy.
Photo of the Yard + Appropriate Image Mask + Prompt = New Design
There are two main modes in the DreamzAR App that enable the creation of designs given a photo of the yard.
In Auto Mask Mode, the app automatically generates a mask for the image using image segmentation models. Once the mask is generated, you provide the original image and the mask as input, along with an appropriate text prompt. Stable Diffusion’s In-Painting Mode does an excellent job of processing these inputs to generate a new design that blends seamlessly with the existing landscape. The text prompt you provide is key to the success of image generation, as it helps guide the AI in creating a design that meets your specific requirements.
In Manual Mask Mode, you have more control over the design process. This mode allows you to mark specific areas of the yard on the image and then generate a design for that area only. This is particularly useful if you have a specific area in mind that you want to work on but still want to see how the new design fits with the rest of the landscape. As with Auto Mask Mode, Stable Diffusion’s In-Painting Mode blends the new design into the surrounding image, creating a smooth transition between the new and existing parts of the yard.
Putting 2D Landscape Design and AI Landscape Design Stylist together
With 2D Landscape Design Studio, you can enhance your yard’s photos by overlaying 2D and 3D objects. But what if you could take it a step further? That’s where AI Landscape Design Stylist comes in. This powerful tool allows you to seamlessly switch to the design stylist and ask AI to augment your design, resulting in multiple unique designs.
Think of it as working collaboratively with your landscape design assistant. You and the AI both contribute to the design process, working iteratively until you achieve the desired design. This innovative tool removes any creator’s block, providing access to an infinite number of design suggestions. This yields a wide range of unique design choices that you might not have previously considered.
What’s next?
As I reflect on the immense potential of AI in our lives, I am filled with excitement and hope for the future. The possibilities seem endless and the impact could be life-changing. And now, with the integration of AI tools in landscape and interior design, we are one step closer to a world where everyone can create and visualize their dream spaces.
As I look ahead, I am thrilled to announce my next project, https://decor8.ai, which aims to revolutionize the interior design industry. With accessibility and affordability in mind, I am committed to making powerful AI tools available to everyone. And I invite you to join me on this journey as I continue to learn and share my experiences.
So, if you are a tech evangelist or an early adopter, I urge you to subscribe to updates on https://decor8.ai and be a part of the cutting-edge tech revolution. And for those who are curious and excited about the potential of AI, I invite you to subscribe to this blog and stay updated on the latest advancements.
Let’s embrace the future together and make it a brighter, more beautiful place with the help of AI.
