In this tutorial, we’ll demonstrate how to use the AI Vision FX plugin. This program enables you to transform photos and images into anything you can imagine, from cartoon characters to futuristic fantasy, classic or modern art, science fiction and anime, and much more, backed by the power of generative AI. Just provide a text prompt describing your idea, adjust a few simple settings, and the plugin generates several options to bring your ideas to life. Once your family photo or landscape image is transformed, and you choose your favorite result, bring it back into your Corel program for final polishing or editing.
The AI Vision FX plugin is compatible with the following software:
- PaintShop Pro 2018-2023
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite subscription
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X7-2023 (perpetual license)
- Corel Painter 2021 and higher
Installation instructions
If purchased from the in-product Store:
- A download link will be sent to you in your order confirmation email. Check your Junk or Spam folder if you cannot locate the email.
- Download the file and open it to start the installation. If the installer does not start automatically, inside the window that opens locate and double-click on the file named Setup.exe then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Windows will recognize the Vision FX download as a disk or DVD drive titled DVD Drive VISION_FX.
- Once the installation process is completed, you will need to restart your main design application to see and launch the Vision FX plugin.
- You can now right-click DVD Drive VISION_FX and click Eject.
- To launch Vision FX, open the image you would like to start with in your software application (PaintShop Pro, Painter, CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT). Under the Effects menu (or Bitmaps menu for CorelDRAW), select Plugins and then Vision FX.
If purchased from paintshoppro.com:
- After purchase, you will be redirected to an order completion page. Click the DOWNLOAD button. This information will also be sent to your email, check your Junk or Spam folder if you cannot locate the email.
- Once the download is complete, click on the downloaded file to begin installation. If the installer does not start automatically, inside the window that opens; double-click on Setup.exe and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Windows will recognize the Vision FX download as a disk or DVD drive titled DVD Drive VISION_FX.
- Once the installation is complete, you will need to close and reopen your software application to see and launch the Vision FX plugin.
- You can now right-click DVD Drive VISION_FX and click Eject.
- To launch Vision FX, open the image you would like to start with in your software application (PaintShop Pro, Painter, CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT). Under the Effects menu (or Bitmaps menu for CorelDRAW), select Plugins and then Vision FX.
Usage instructions:
- To launch Vision FX, open the image you would like to start with in your software application (PaintShop Pro, Painter, CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT). Under the Effects menu (or Bitmaps menu for CorelDRAW), select Plugins and then Vision FX.
- Enter Text Prompts describing your desired output and adjust sliders for fine-tuning.
- Click Run to initialize the image generation process. During this time, your main design application will not be accessible. A progress bar should appear on the first of the five thumbnails below your starting image to indicate the Vision FX is working.
- If you need to hit Stop at any point during the process, the progress bar will be replaced by a message indicating that the model is stopping the generation. Once that message disappears, you can resume by hitting Run again to complete the remaining images.
- Once the plugin generates all five images you can click Save to bring your selected result back into your main design application, or close Vision FX without saving.
Minimum System Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 11, 10 (current maintenance releases, 64 bit only)
- Processor: Multicore Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support
- RAM: 16GB
- GPU: Modern GPU with 8GB of RAM (Recommended)
- Hard Drive: 6GB
- Compatible Software: PaintShop Pro, Corel Painter, CorelDRAW
Important Notes:
- Please ensure that any computer trying to run Vision FX meets the minimum system requirements above. This plugin is hardware intensive and computers that do not meet the system requirements may experience numerous issues or see substantial decreases in performance.
- The product is delivered through an ISO file rather than a single EXE file. This may install on your computer as a disk drive/disk image. This is expected. Vision FX will still work as normal.
If you’ve developed your own prompts that you’d like to share with others, add them to the Comments section below.
Here are some examples of prompts that you can use to get started. Click on any of the images below to view full size.
Prompt: Futuristic city, sci-fi, metropolis, skyscrapers, high tech, high detail, photo-realistic, high quality, detailed photo, studio quality, intricate, realistic, night sky, nighttime, dark sky
Prompt: Sci-fi officer, powerful confident, commanding, high-tech, attractive, symmetrical eyes, comic book style, volumetric lighting, octane render, the perfect mix of Western and Eastern art styles, hyper-realistic, photo-realistic, detailed 4k
Prompt: African American Anime character, action movie, highly detailed exquisite fan art, big eyes, happy, energetic, pretty, color manga visual style, fun, friendly, mix of western and eastern art styles, hyper-realistic, detailed 4k
Prompt: Mythical bird, vibrant colors, water and ice, phoenix rising, photorealism, detailed photo
Prompt: Cartoon, animated, cute dog, high detail, colorful, studio quality, character design, illustration, digital art
Prompt: In the style of J.M.W. Turner, extremely detailed digital painting, watercolor, oil painting, oil on canvas style.
Prompt: Alien landscape, photorealistic, high detail, alien planet, vibrant life, extraterrestrial, martian, space, photography, incredible design
Prompt: East Asian lion statue, sculpture lion statue, Chinese lion, Guardian Lion, photorealistic, ancient lion, Forbidden city, temple lion
Prompt: Gothic, medieval, raining, rain soaked, hyper-realistic, photograph, photo-realism, high detail
Prompt: Overgrown, reclaimed by nature, high-resolution photo, photo-realistic, high detail
Prompt: Cute puppy in a basket, cartoon character, joyful, energized, furry, nice-looking, fairytale vibe, watercolor effect, oil painting effect
Prompt: Woman on motorbike, anime style, manga character, fine detail, graffiti paint, intricate detail, full of color, golden ratio illustration
Prompt: Surrealism, Salvador Dali, entering a dreamscape, mystical world, unconscious mind
Prompt: Neon light, gorgeous goddess, detailed gorgeous face, precise line art, intricate, realistic, studio quality, cinematic, luminescence, character design, concept art, highly detailed, illustration, digital art, digital painting
Download these free resources:
Vision FX comparison chart for slider values (PDF, 1 MB)
Installation instructions (PDF, 61 KB)
PaintShop Pro resources
Keyboard shortcuts (PDF, 173 KB)
PaintShop Pro User Guide (PDF, 25.4 MB)
What software does the Vision FX plugin work with?
Vision FX works with the following software:
- PaintShop Pro 2021-2023
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite subscription
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2021-2023 (one-time purchase)
- Corel Painter 2021 and higher
I’m having problems installing or launching the program, what do I do?
First, check that your computer meets the system requirements
Click the image to view full-size
Complete installation instructions are available on the Installation instructions tab at the top of this page.
TIP: When launching the plugin, make sure to give it enough time to load everything into memory. This can take 15 to 45 seconds. You can open the Windows task manager and watch the memory usage of Vision FX. It should increase as the plugin is loading and stop around 5.5GB to 6.5GB. Then you will know that the plugin is loaded and ready to use.
How do I launch Vision FX?
To launch Vision FX from PaintShop Pro, PHOTO-PAINT or Painter, go to Effects > Plugins > Vision FX. To launch from CorelDRAW, you must have a raster image open then go to Bitmaps > Plugins > Vision FX.
What kind of images can I use?
Vision FX can be used with photos, digital artwork, illustrations, graphic designs. However, you must make sure that your image is a raster format such as JPG or PNG. If you are working with a multi-layer file such as a .pspimage file in PaintShop Pro, make sure the raster image layer is the active layer when launching the plugin.
What is the pixel size of the results produced by Vision FX?
Vision FX, being a plugin, utilizes the size of the image provided by the host application (e.g. PaintShop Pro). The AI algorithm generates results at a default resolution of 512×512 pixels. However, during the rendering process, the plugin takes into account the size of the original input image from the host application. This ensures that the final output maintains the dimensions and aspect ratio of the original image.
How do I write a prompt?
Check out our list of examples on the Sample prompts tab above. You can use these as a starting point and then make modifications to the prompt to generate different results.
TIP: record your prompts and seed numbers for any results that you would like to use again on other images. Using a snipping tool or screen capture is an easy way to take a quick snapshot of the prompts, seed numbers, and slider settings.
If you want to start from scratch and write your own prompts, check out this article from zapier.com on how to write effective AI prompts.
How do I remove the NSFW filter in Vision FX?
The NSFW (Not Safe For Work) labelling in Vision FX is not a form of censorship but a feature designed to alert users about potentially sensitive content. Please note that Vision FX utilizes a Stable Diffusion 1.5 model. The AI algorithm responsible for generating images operates independently – it’s not directly controlled by Distinct AI, the creators of AI Vision FX. Therefore, they do not have the ability to individually modify or remove the NSFW results.
Can I sell my AI-generated art after I create it in Vision FX?
Yes, you are allowed to sell the artwork you create using Vision FX. There are no restrictions on commercializing the artwork, including reprinting, selling, and merchandising. This applies to both the images created during the research preview and the final artwork.
However, please ensure that you comply with the terms of use provided by Vision FX. While selling Vision FX-generated artwork is permitted, it’s important to consider the ethical implications. Remember to acknowledge and give credit to the AI tool for its contribution. Genuine artists put in significant effort to create their artwork, so it’s essential to respect their contributions while utilizing AI tools. For a comprehensive outline of the Terms and Conditions, please read through the EULA found here https://www.distinctplugins.io/docs/eula
How does Vision FX create AI-powered photos?
Vision FX and other AI-powered software create AI-powered photos by utilizing advanced machine learning algorithms. These algorithms analyze the input photo and apply artistic techniques and enhancements to generate a new version of the photo with the desired style or effect. The AI algorithms learn from the input data to create visually stunning works of art.
Can someone tell if my photo was created by AI in Vision FX?
Once the results are refined, it is generally not possible for someone to determine if a photo was created using AI in Vision FX or any other AI-based software. The AI algorithms used in Vision FX are designed to simulate artistic techniques and enhance the creative process, making it difficult to differentiate AI-generated content from traditionally created content. However, it’s always good practice to disclose the use of AI tools if it is relevant to the context or if requested by others.
What’s new in PaintShop Pro
Plugins for PaintShop Pro
Artistic tools and projects
Download your FREE 30-day trial and make every shot your best shot with PaintShop Pro 2023, your all-in-one photo editing and design software.
Comments (9)
Reader Interactions
Comments
Hello
I have Painter 2023 how do i get Vision Fx to work with it Having bought it recently downloading it ,i Window 12 ,& 64 bit machine
Hi Gary,
The Vision FX plugin should be listed under the Effects menu in Painter 2023.
Best regards,
The Discovery Center team
I downloaded VisionFX to work with my CorelDraw app and there’s no tutorial about to begin in CorelDraw. Do I open Photopaint?
Hi Scott,
In CorelDRAW you can access the Vision FX plugin under the Bitmaps > Plugins menu, and in PHOTO-PAINT it will be listed under the Effects menu.
Best regards,
The Discovery Center team
I read that online, but all I got as a download proved to be an .iso file that I can’t do anything useful with. If I double click on it, it just informs me that I have already downloaded the file and demonstrates the name of the file, just as it sits in my downloads folder, as if I didn’t already know that. If I right click on it, it just offers me the obvious options with an .iso file of saving it to disc or to an optical disc, but nothing about installing it in a way that it should obviously function in conjunction with my Corel apps, and it plainly does not appear in the Plugins there. I can’t imagine why an app that is supposed to function as a plugin would not have come as some sort of an executable file, rather than an .iso file. I am working with Corel support, but I got transferred up to an “upper level” agent, and when I told him I was having trouble with determining how to use Vision FX, he responded immediately by telling me that it was not a Corel product! I actually had to send him a screen shot of my Corel invoice from Cleverbridge before he recognized that it would, in fact, be his job to help me get it running, and he had to convert it from a chat interaction to an email support ticket that will allow him time to figure out what it’s all about, before he will be able to help me. I get the sense that they pushed this for sale before they ironed out all the wrinkles.
Hi, Bob; Hope you’re not trying to run it on the machine you got from me. I’m about to try it on my laptop.
Are you going to work on making it not so processor heavy? I have a pretty decent computer and it takes FOREVER. It seems to stall on my laptop (and it’s not exactly weak either)
Can you share the starting seed numbers for above prompts?
Thanks
I have been waiting for the ability to do AI offline for a long time. So I bought this and it’s welcome. I even updated my graphics card as Aaron Rutton suggested to manage it ( definitely a lot faster- though not a cheap investment)
I just hope Vision FX is eventually released in updates or new versions or something.
I have been using Stable Diffusion daily since last October using deepdreamgenerator.
I am happy that Vision FX is coming up with some interesting results. However I’m currently finding its output lacking compared to what I’m used to.
I have used the Stable 1.5 version and also Stable 2.0. Stable 1 .5 has been good. However the deepdream people added Negative Prompts and Face Enhance, which have been a game changer in helping remove the inevitable multiple limbs, colour you don’t like , multiple image’s etc and distorted faces..
Vision FX really needs this. I continue to get horrible mangled faces in figures etc in Vision FX in a way I never had with Stable on deepdream. They also have an ‘artistic’ add-in as an option and that has been really good.
So this is sort of a review and a plea for the future. You have the basis of something really good here but needs evolving. For myself, at least I now have a faster machine and will keep exploring it.