Stable Diffusion (by Stability AI) revolutionized AI art by releasing their model as open source. Unlike Midjourney or DALL-E, you can download Stable Diffusion and run it on your own computer (if you have a good GPU) completely for free.
This openness has created a massive community of modders who create 'fine-tuned' models for specific styles (anime, photorealism, isometric). It offers the most control of any image generator but has the steepest learning curve.
Key Features:
- Open Source: Run it locally, privately, and for free.
- ControlNet: Advanced control over pose, composition, and structure.
- Extensions: Thousands of community-made plugins.
Verdict: The best choice for power users who want total control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a powerful computer?
To run it locally, yes (ideally an NVIDIA GPU). However, many websites host it for you if your computer isn't fast enough.
