In the rapidly evolving world of AI image generation, tools like Flux.1 and Flex.1-alpha are making waves for their ability to create stunning visuals with ease. These models, integrated into ComfyUI in MimicPC platform, offer unique high quality AI generated images tailored to different user needs.
Are you struggling to decide which text to image AI art generator to use and constantly switching between Flux.1 and Flex.1-alpha to generate images you need? This blog is designed to guide you. We conducted a detailed comparison between the two image generators and compiled the results for you. Check it out and use Flux.1 and Flex.1-alpha according to AI images you want to generate.
1. Introduction
Flux.1
Flux.1 is an advanced AI image generation tool developed by Black Forest Labs, designed to deliver ultra-realistic and high-quality images. With its powerful capabilities, Flux.1 stands out for its attention to detail, stability, and versatility in generating a wide range of visuals, from realistic photography to intricate textures and lighting effects.
Flex.1-alpha
Flex.1-alpha is an innovative AI image generator, designed for those who seek creative flexibility and artistic exploration. With its diverse capabilities, Flex.1-alpha supports a wide range of visual styles—from photorealism to highly stylized and artistic outputs—making it a valuable tool for artists, designers, and creatives looking to push the boundaries of their imagination.
2. Statement
The Flux.1 and Flex.1-alpha AI image generator comparison uses the ComfyUI-Flux.1 basic image generation workflow (both models are compatible with each other). Except for the comparison of the main model, the prompt and other basic parameters remain exactly the same. In terms of image generation time, first load is ignored, based on the second load.
3. Model Website
- Flux.1 Model Website: black-forest-labs/flux
- Flex.1-alpha Model Website: ostris/Flex.1-alpha
4. Comparison Cases
Case 1: Large Multi-person Party Scene
- Prompt: A high-resolution brightly lit photorealistic candid photograph of: wine tasting party with friends in a livingroom. The photograph is styled like a high-end lifestle magazine. The photograph has a light bright happyfeel. Use a high-resolution 16k camera, a raw style, and a quality setting of 2 tocapture this vibrant scene.
- Image Generation Quality: Flux.1 produces a perfect output image in one go; Flex.1-alpha requires 5 tries to achieve this effect, with many failures such as distorted hands and faces.
- Image Generation Time: Flux.1 is 9.89s, Flex.1-alpha is 9.44s. Flex.1-alpha is slightly faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flux.1 performs better than Flex.1-alpha.
Case 2: Close-up Portrait
- Prompt: Two beautiful flight attendants from the same company pose for an Instagram selfie. They have their hair styled in ponytails and wear professional uniforms with dark blue jackets. The photo was taken on an iPhone camera and posted to TikTok. The two women smile at each other, creating a warm atmosphere between them.
- Image Generation Quality: Both models required 3 attempts. Image of Flux.1 shows blurring and has high degree of AI in facial features; Image of Flex.1-alpha exhibits blurring but the facial details are more realistic.
- Image Generation Time: Flux.1 is 12.31s, Flex.1-alpha is 9.27s. Flex.1-alpha is faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flex.1-alpha performs better than Flux.1.
Case 3: Close-up Food
- Prompt: A top view of a vintage turntable, in a french cafe, surrounded by croissants and ice cream and a album cover, on a yellow table.
- Image Generation Quality: Both are 1-shot direct output. Flux.1’s output has a clear subject-background distinction, with the record player as the main subject and the bread elements serving as background embellishment. Flex.1-alpha struggles with subject-background distribution, trying to display every element which leads to some distortion.
- Image Generation Time: Flux.1 is 12.56s, Flex.1-alpha is 10.06s. Flex.1-alpha is faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flux.1 performs better than Flex.1-alpha.
Case 4: Outdoor Long-Distance Photography
- Prompt: Editorial fashion photography of an athlete running beside a mercedes eas 2024, Grow Up mercedes campaian vibe, the car is parked in front of stadium in france it is shot with a telephoto lens, using a Canon r5 14mm 2.8f camera at eye level.
- Image Generation Quality: Flux.1 generates the photo in one go with reasonable distribution of characters and cars in the scene, but it struggles to maintain the integrity of the character's fingers. Flex.1-alpha requires 4 attempts, with many issues like distorted limbs and facial variation, making the scene too horrible to look at. However, Flex.1-alpha exceeds Flux.1 in light and shadow effect.
- Image Generation Time: Flux.1 is 12.56s, Flex.1-alpha is 9.24s. Flex.1-alpha is faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flux.1 performs better than Flex.1-alpha.
Case 5: Interior Design
- Prompt: Interior desianer wow portfolio photo, musculine sofa, tomato red textured walls, unusual table, large wallart with patterns, black floor tiles, futuristic interior design, magazine editorial.
- Image Generation Quality: Both models are 1-shot direct output. Flux.1 has better control over sense of space, accurately capturing the prompt, and the image texture is far superior to Flex.1-alpha, though its color control is weaker. Flex.1-alpha’s generated image exhibit very vivid colors, with visual expressions often using multi-layer overlays for spatial elements. The contrast of the image tends to be oversaturated.
- Image Generation Time: Flux.1 is 12.53s, Flex.1-alpha is 9.19s. Flex.1-alpha is faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flux.1 performs better than Flex.1-alpha.
Case 6: E-commerce Product Photography
- Prompt: A peeled and plump bunch of grapes on a contrast mint blue pastel uniform background, aesthetic,National Geographic style,close-up photography.
- Image Generation Quality: Both are 1-shot direct output. Flux.1 is better at capturing the prompt requirement. Flex.1-alpha is less sensitive to the prompt and the resulting image doesn’t follow the prompt "A peeled and plump bunch of grapes."
- Image Generation Time: Flux.1 is 12.49s, Flex.1-alpha is 9.26s. Flex.1-alpha is faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flux.1 performs better than Flex.1-alpha.
Case 7: Pet Photography
- Prompt: An orange and white kitten, with its chubby belly rising and falling with each breath, lying lazily on the grass. Its front paws are folded under its chin, and its half-closed eyes reveal a sense of contentment. Its tail curves naturally by its side, and its fur shimmers slightly under the caress of the sun.
- Image Generation Quality: Both models have 3 straight out effects. Flux.1 AI generated images exist blurring during the experiment but excels at recognizing the prompt requirement. However, the image clearly shows AI-generated traits. Flex.1-alpha has better light and shadow effect, vibrant colors, and more realistic facial features. The only drawback is that the image has much noticeable noise.
- Image Generation Time: Flux.1 is 12.54s, Flex.1-alpha is 9.23s. Flex.1-alpha is faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flex.1-alpha performs better than Flux.1.
Case 8: Single Person Close-up Photography
- Prompt: Very beautiful female police officer from Hungary stunning eyes in leather jacket in a marketplace.
- Image Generation Quality: Both generate 3 times. Flux.1 delivers more realistic skin textures without excessive smoothing. Flex.1-alpha generate image with serious AI traits showed in facial features.
- Image generation time: Flux.1 is 12.53s, Flex.1-alpha is 9.19s. Flex.1-alpha is faster than Flux.1.
- Summary: Flux.1 performs better than Flex.1-alpha.
5. Advantages and Limitations
Flux.1
Advantages
- Ultra-realistic: The generated images close to realistic photography.
- Strong Detail Performance: Handles hair, textures, light and shadow with exceptional precision.
- High Stability: Less prone to distortion or proportion issues when generating realistic content.
- Wide Application: Excels in almost everything from pet photography to architectural rendering.
Limitations
- Style Limitation: Focuses on realism and cannot handle artistic or highly stylized generation needs.
- Low Creative Flexibility: Doesn’t perform as well as Flex.1-alpha in fields like fantasy scenes, concept art.
- Complex Scene Construction: May require detailed prompts for multi-subject or highly dynamic scenes.
Flex.1-alpha
Advantages
- Diverse Styles: Supports a wide range of styles from realistic to artistic.
- Creative Performance: Suitable for generating fantasy, multi-character interactions, dynamic actions, and narrative scenes.
- Experimental Nature: Ideal for creative exploration and stylistic experimentation.
Limitations
- Detail Stability: May not perform as stable as dedicated realism models in generating highly realistic images.
- Complexity Requirement: Requires more precise prompts and parameter adjustments to achieve high-quality results.
6. Real-World Application
Flux.1
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those looking to generate images close to professional photography.
- Designers: Need high-fidelity product or architectural rendering images.
- Pet Enthusiasts: Interested in generating realistic pet images.
- Nature Landscape Creators: Require realistic landscape images for reference or display.
Flex.1-alpha
- Artists/Illustrators: Need a creative tool to explore multiple styles.
- Concept Designers: Focus on generating fantasy or diverse character, scene sketches.
- Game Developers: Build visual assets or inspiration reference for game worlds.
- Creative Enthusiasts: Love experimenting with image generation of different styles and exploring the possibilities of visual art.
7. Induction Generalize
Flux.1 | Flex.1-alpha | |
Model Position | High quality photorealistic image generation (natural scenes, pets, people) | Experimental with artistic and stylized generation (painting, cartoons, illustrations) |
Style Support | Specialize in realism; Precisely handle lighting, material details, texture | Lean towards diverse style; Allow more freedom in manipulating lighting and materials |
Adaptability and Stability | More stable when generating realistic images, with fewer issues like distortion or proportion errors | Slight instability in realistic generation, detail distortion or proportional inaccuracy may occur |