Midjourney, one of the leaders in the AI image generation space, has unveiled a new, updated version of its website with a new editor interface. This new interface combines various existing features into a single view, making editing AI-generated images easier and more seamless for users. The website now includes features like inpainting and outpaining/canvas extension, allowing users to repaint parts of an image or stretch its boundaries and fill the new space with new AI visuals. The new web editor also introduces a more precise inpainting brush tool, replacing the previous square selector and lasso tools. This tool offers users more precision when editing parts of a previously generated image.
Midjourney’s goal with this update is to enhance the tools and community experiences it offers to its users. The early reactions from users have been largely positive, indicating that the new web editor is a significant step forward for the platform. To access the new web editor, users must have created at least 10 images on the platform.
In addition to the web editor, Midjourney has introduced a feature that improves communication between its web and Discord communities. Messages sent in certain Web Rooms are now mirrored in corresponding Discord channels, ensuring that users across both platforms can stay in sync. This integration is beneficial for users who choose to interact on either platform.
However, these updates come at a contentious time for Midjourney and the AI art industry as a whole. The company is currently facing a class-action lawsuit from a group of artists who accuse the startup of copyright violations. The artists claim that Midjourney trained its AI on their copyrighted images without permission. The judge in the case recently denied Midjourney’s bid to have the case dismissed, and it is now moving forward toward discovery. This means that lawyers for the artist plaintiffs will have access to internal documents of AI companies, shedding light on their training practices and datasets.
Despite the legal challenges, Midjourney remains committed to improving its platform and community experiences for users. The company’s CEO, David Holz, expressed gratitude for the community’s patience during the development process and encouraged users to explore the new capabilities provided by the editor. As Midjourney continues to innovate and expand its platform, users can expect more updates and features aimed at enhancing the overall creative process and fostering a more connected community.