MidJourney has just rolled out its upgraded image editor to everyone, and it’s packed with powerful new features—including a layer system that takes AI art editing to the next level. While some may overlook this update, the added control and flexibility it offers are a big deal for creators.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use MidJourney’s editor, why it matters, and how you can leverage it to enhance your AI-generated artwork.
How to Access the MidJourney Editor
There are two ways to open the editor:
- From the MidJourney Interface
- Click the “Edit” tab.
- Alternatively, go to your gallery, select an image, and click “Editor” (next to “More”).
- Editing External Images
- You can also upload your own images or paste a URL to edit them directly in MidJourney.
Key Features of the MidJourney Editor
1. Move & Resize
- Adjust your image’s aspect ratio (e.g., 1:1, 16:9, 9:16 for social media).
- Drag and reposition elements within the frame.
- Note: You can’t expand beyond the original canvas size, but you can crop and reframe.
2. Paint Tool (Erase & Restore)
- Erase: Remove unwanted parts of an image (e.g., deleting a sword from a samurai’s hand).
- Restore: Bring back erased sections with a semi-transparent preview of the original.
- Adjust brush size for precision.
3. Smart Select (AI-Powered Cutouts)
- Automatically select objects (e.g., a character, a car) with a single click.
- Erase background or erase selection to isolate elements.
- Works best on high-contrast subjects but may need manual touch-ups.
4. Layers System (Major Upgrade!)
- Add multiple layers (upload images, paste URLs, or stack AI generations).
- Masking & Blending: Use the eraser to reveal layers beneath.
- Example: Combine a samurai with a futuristic cityscape by overlaying and blending layers.
5. Retexture (Style Transfer & Enhancement)
- Regenerate an image with a new style (e.g., turn a sketch into a photorealistic render).
- Works by keeping the composition but applying a new artistic or photographic style.
- Tip: Use this to fix inconsistencies or refine AI-generated details.
Step-by-Step Editing Workflow
Example 1: Removing an Object & Regenerating Background
- Open an image in the editor.
- Use Paint (Erase) to remove unwanted elements (e.g., a sword).
- Submit the edit—MidJourney AI-fills the missing areas with four variations.
- Choose the best result and refine further if needed.
Example 2: Adding New Elements (Photo Compositing)
- Upload or paste an image URL (e.g., a character, a clock, a dog).
- Use Smart Select to cut out the subject.
- Position it using Move & Resize.
- Blend layers by erasing edges for a seamless look.
- Retexture to unify the style (e.g., “cinematic photo-realistic”).
Example 3: Transforming Sketches into AI Art
- Upload a hand-drawn sketch.
- Use Retexture with a prompt like “cyberpunk neon city, hyper-detailed.”
- MidJourney converts the sketch into a polished AI artwork.
Why This Editor is a Big Deal
- Bridges the gap between AI art and Photoshop—no need for external tools for basic edits.
- Non-destructive editing—undo, redo, and reset layers at any time.
- More control over AI outputs—fix imperfections without regenerating entire images.
- Great for thumbnails, social media, and concept art—quickly tweak compositions.
Final Thoughts
MidJourney’s new editor is a major step forward for AI-assisted creativity. While it won’t replace Photoshop entirely, it dramatically speeds up workflows and gives users more precision in refining their AI-generated art.
Try It Yourself!
- Experiment with layers, masking, and retexturing.
- Combine AI art with real photos for unique compositions.
- Use Smart Select for quick cutouts.
The more you practice, the more you’ll unlock its potential. Happy editing!