Want to generate images with AI without expensive software or needing a powerful computer? Alibaba’s Qwen Chat offers a powerful and, crucially, free way to create images from text prompts. This definitive guide for 2025 covers everything from your first generation to advanced prompting techniques, leveraging the underlying power of models like Tongyi Wanxiang.
Why Choose Qwen for AI Image Generation?
- Free & Cloud-Based: No local GPU needed, accessible via web or app.
- Powerful Backend: Taps Alibaba Cloud’s specialized Tongyi Wanxiang (wanx-v1) or Flux diffusion models via the DashScope API for crisp, detailed results.
- Integrated Multimodal UI: Generate text, images, and even experiment with video (beta) all within the familiar Qwen Chat interface.
- Beginner-Friendly: Simple mode selection and natural-language prompts make it easy to start.
Quick Overview – How Qwen Generates Images
Understanding the flow helps you get better results:
- Your Prompt: You enter text in Qwen Chat’s Image Generation mode.
- Interpretation: The Qwen 3 (or latest) LLM understands your request.
- API Call: Qwen Chat sends the request via Alibaba’s DashScope API gateway.
- Specialized Backend: DashScope routes the task to the appropriate text-to-image model (likely Tongyi Wanxiang ‘wanx-v1’ or a Flux variant).
- Diffusion Process: The backend model synthesizes the image based on your prompt and selected aspect ratio.
- Image Returned: The generated image appears in your chat, ready to view or download.
Step-by-Step – Create Your First Image with Qwen
Ready to try? Here’s how:
1. Open Image Mode
- Navigate to
↗ chat.qwen.aior open the Qwen iOS/Android app. - Click the “Image Generation” button or mode selector near the input field.
- Confirm the interface indicates you’re in image mode (header might change).
2. Choose Your Image Aspect Ratio
Before crafting your prompt, selecting the correct image aspect ratio is crucial. This determines the shape and dimensions of your final Qwen-generated image. Based on the current Qwen Chat interface (as of early 2025), you’ll typically find these options:
- 1:1 (Square): Creates a perfectly square image. Ideal for profile pictures, Instagram grid posts, and general social media use (often around 1024×1024 pixels).
- 3:4 (Portrait/Vertical): A standard vertical format, slightly wider than the tall 9:16. Good for portraits, Pinterest pins, and some mobile displays.
- 4:3 (Landscape/Horizontal): A classic horizontal format, less wide than 16:9. Common in photography and suitable for some desktop displays or presentations.
- 16:9 (Landscape/Widescreen): The standard widescreen image dimension. Best for desktop wallpapers, YouTube thumbnails, presentation slides, and cinematic shots (often around 1280×720 pixels or higher).
- 9:16 (Portrait/Tall): A tall, vertical image format. Perfect for smartphone wallpapers, Instagram/TikTok Stories, Reels, and mobile-first content (often around 720×1280 pixels or higher).
3. Craft a High-Signal Prompt
This is where the magic happens. Be descriptive!
Beginner Example:
Photorealistic close-up of a red rose covered in morning dew, soft natural backlight, bokeh background.
(We’ll cover advanced prompting next).
4. Add Negative Prompts (Optional but Recommended)
To improve quality and avoid common AI issues, add things you don’t want. Since Qwen Chat lacks a dedicated negative prompt field, include them in your main prompt, often at the end.
Adding to the example:
Photorealistic close-up of a red rose covered in morning dew, soft natural backlight, bokeh background. **no text, avoid blurry, no watermark, ugly, deformed, extra petals**
Common negative keywords: ugly, deformed, blurry, bad anatomy, extra limbs, extra fingers, poorly drawn hands, poorly drawn face, watermark, signature, username, text, words, letters.
5. Click “Generate” and Wait
- Hit the send/generate button.
- Image generation takes 30 seconds to 2+ minutes. Be patient! Video generation can take significantly longer (10-20 min+).
- If it seems stuck (e.g., >5 minutes), try the “Regenerate” button if available, or just resubmit the prompt. Sometimes starting a new chat helps if the interface bugs out.
Qwen Image Prompt Tests
“Photorealistic close-up of a red rose covered in morning dew, soft natural backlight, bokeh background. no text, avoid blurry, no watermark, ugly, deformed, extra petals”
“Aerial view of a modern city at night, glowing skyscraper lights, sharp reflections on glass, shot with a drone camera, cinematic contrast, crystal-clear detail, no people, no watermark, no distortion”
“Rainy Tokyo alley at night, neon signs reflecting on wet pavement, atmospheric lighting, cyberpunk mood, shot on 35mm lens, clean framing, no people, no text, no blur, ultra-detailed”
“Macro close-up of a vintage mechanical watch on a wooden table, golden hour sunlight from the side, ultra-detailed gears in focus, bokeh background, no branding, no watermark, no distortions”
“Dramatic mountain range at dawn, layers of fog between peaks, soft light illuminating sharp rocky textures, shot with DSLR, no people, no text, high dynamic range, photorealistic”
Proven Prompt Framework for Consistent Quality
Structure your prompts for better results. Aim to include these elements:
| Element | What to Specify (with examples) |
|---|---|
| Subject & Action | “A fluffy Samoyed puppy sleeping” / “Cyberpunk hacker coding” |
| Style Keyword | photorealistic, anime illustration, 3D cartoon, oil painting |
| Setting | “on a neon-lit Tokyo street” / “in a sun-drenched meadow” |
| Lighting/Mood | golden hour, cinematic lighting, mysterious fog, dramatic shadows |
| Composition | close-up shot, wide angle, overhead view, detailed background |
| Quality Boosters | highly detailed, intricate, sharp focus, 8k (use sparingly) |
| Negative Prompts | no text, avoid blurry, ugly, deformed, extra limbs, watermark |
Advanced Tips for Intermediate Users
- Bias Control: AI reflects training data. If Qwen defaults to certain features (e.g., specific ethnicities), explicitly state desired characteristics: “Portrait of an elderly Hispanic woman smiling”.
- Iterative Refinement: Generate -> Evaluate -> Tweak Prompt (add detail, change style, add negatives) -> Regenerate. Don’t expect perfection first try.
- Batching Workaround: If queues are long, open 2-3 Qwen Chat tabs/windows in image mode and run prompts in parallel.
- Seed Reproduction (Attempt): Qwen doesn’t expose the ‘seed’. However, if you get a great result, immediately pasting the exact same successful prompt back in might sometimes reuse the internal seed for a similar output. Adding phrases like “recreate exactly” can sometimes encourage this, but it’s not guaranteed.
Common Issues & Fast Fixes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Chat stuck in image mode | UI bug | Start a new chat. If context is needed, copy/paste or upload history. |
| “Generation failed” error | Backend overload / Filter | Click Regenerate. Try again later (off-peak hours). Simplify prompt. |
| Faces/Hands look weird | Diffusion model artifact | Add detailed negative prompts: deformed face, extra eyes, bad hands |
| Slow generation (>5 min) | High server traffic / Complexity | Be patient. Try mobile app (sometimes prioritized). Simplify prompt. |
↗ DashScope Image Synthesis API docs
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How realistic are Qwen’s images compared to Midjourney?
Qwen (via Tongyi Wanxiang/Flux) produces very good realism, especially for common scenes and objects. Midjourney often excels in highly complex artistic styles, extreme photorealism nuances, and prompt interpretation finesse. However, Qwen is free and integrated, making it excellent for rapid iteration and general use.
Can I control the random seed for consistent results?
No, the Qwen Chat UI does not expose the seed parameter. Re-running the exact same prompt will likely produce variations. See the “Advanced Tips” for a potential workaround attempt.
Is commercial use of images generated by Qwen allowed?
As of early 2025, Alibaba Cloud’s terms for services like DashScope (which likely powers Qwen Chat’s backend) generally permit commercial use of the generated output. However, you are responsible for ensuring your use case doesn’t infringe on existing copyrights or trademarks (e.g., don’t prompt for famous characters and sell the output as official merchandise). Always check the latest official Qwen/Alibaba Cloud terms of service.
Does Qwen support image editing like in-painting or out-painting?
Currently, the public Qwen Chat interface focuses on text-to-image generation. While the underlying DashScope API offers image editing endpoints, these are not yet exposed directly in the chat UI. This capability might be added later in 2025.
Key Takeaways for Qwen Image Generation
- Qwen Chat offers arguably the easiest, free route to create high-quality AI images in 2025, powered by robust backend models (Tongyi Wanxiang/Flux).
- Prompt engineering is key: Specificity + Style Keywords + Negative Prompts drive quality. Use the framework provided.
- Manage expectations: Allow 1-2 minutes per image, expect some variation, and be prepared to iterate or work around occasional bugs/slowdowns.
- It’s an excellent tool for rapid visualization, content creation, and creative exploration directly within your AI assistant.
Start experimenting with Qwen Chat’s image generation today and unlock your creative potential!