AI visual content generation for books and presentations using FLUX and Ideogram models
Domain: Image generation, illustration creation, visual content for books and presentations
When to use: Creating cover art, chapter illustrations, character portraits, scene visualizations, or any visual content from text descriptions
Models available: FLUX Schnell (fast/cheap), FLUX Pro (high quality), Ideogram (best text), SDXL (customizable)
Best for speed: FLUX Schnell (~$0.003, 2-5 sec)
Best for quality: FLUX Pro ($0.04, 5-20 sec)
Best for text: Ideogram ($0.08, 15-25 sec)
Most control: Stable Diffusion XL (variable)
First step: Discover user's aesthetic preference (realistic vs line art) before mass generation
Key insight: Cost ≠ Quality always — FLUX Schnell can be production-worthy for simple compositions
Generate images using pre-configured prompts and default settings.
Use when:
Commands:
# Generate cover
npm run generate:cover
# Generate chapter illustrations
npm run generate:illustrations
# Single illustration
node scripts/generate-single.js mid
MCP Usage:
@replicate run black-forest-labs/flux-schnell with prompt "boy with magnifying glass"
Create variations, compare models, test character consistency, and customize prompts.
Use when:
Commands:
# Generate 3 variations
node scripts/generate-variations.js --type=cover --model=flux-pro --count=3
# Test character consistency (6 scenes × 2 styles)
node scripts/generate-consistency-test.js
# Compare models
node scripts/generate-cover.js --model=flux-schnell
node scripts/generate-cover.js --model=flux-pro
node scripts/generate-cover.js --model=ideogram
# Custom prompt
node scripts/generate-single.js custom --prompt="your prompt here"
MCP Usage:
@replicate search "flux image generation"
@replicate run black-forest-labs/flux-1.1-pro with prompt "..."
Fine-tune custom models, batch process, and integrate into publishing pipeline.
Use when:
Capabilities:
Resources: See resources/ for:
| Model | Cost | Speed | Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLUX Schnell | $0.003 | 2-5s | Good* | Testing, simple compositions, expressions |
| FLUX Dev | $0.025 | 5-15s | Very Good | Development |
| FLUX Pro | $0.04 | 5-20s | Excellent | Atmospheric scenes, complex backgrounds |
| Ideogram v3 | $0.08 | 15-25s | Excellent | Text rendering |
| Recraft v3 | $0.04 | 10-20s | Excellent | Design-focused |
| SDXL | Variable | Variable | Good | Custom fine-tunes |
*Validated finding: FLUX Schnell can produce production-quality work for simple compositions (portraits, clear expressions)
CRITICAL: Discover user's aesthetic preference first:
For realistic/photorealistic style:
photorealistic 3D render, atmospheric cinematic lighting,
professional middle-grade book illustration,
vibrant color palette, dramatic composition
For B&W line art style:
black and white line art, middle-grade book illustration,
clean lines, no shading, suitable for ages 8-12
For covers (add to style above):
professional book cover design, vertical orientation (2:3),
dramatic composition, sense of mystery and intelligence
Discover style preference (do this first!):
# Generate realistic sample
node scripts/generate-cover.js --model=flux-pro
# Generate line art sample
node scripts/generate-single.js opening --model=flux-schnell
# User chooses → document preference
Test character consistency (for multi-scene books):
node scripts/generate-consistency-test.js
# Review outputs → Rate consistency 1-5
# 4-5 stars = viable for book illustration
Generate cover variations:
node scripts/generate-variations.js --type=cover --count=5
Generate all chapter 1 scenes:
node scripts/generate-illustrations.js 1
Quick test (may be production-worthy!):
node scripts/generate-single.js opening --model=flux-schnell
Atmospheric/complex scenes:
node scripts/generate-variations.js --model=flux-pro --count=3
Rate limiting (429 error):
No output received:
assets/variations/ for outputInsufficient credit (402 error):
For testing: Use FLUX Schnell ($0.003) For review: Generate 3-5 variations, pick best For production: Use FLUX Pro only on final selected prompts For covers with text: Try Ideogram if text is critical
Estimated costs:
npm run generate:coverassets/node scripts/generate-variations.js --count=3Documentation: docs/IMAGE-GENERATION-SETUP.md