> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.qolaba.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.qolaba.ai/image-generation/image-editing/image-variation.md).

# Image Variation

How to use Image Variation in Qolaba — uploading references, how it differs from image-to-image generation, and when to use it for creative exploration and iteration.

Image Variation generates new images inspired by one or more reference images — producing aesthetically diverse versions that maintain the core subject and overall composition of the original while exploring different visual interpretations.

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#### What Image Variation Does

Image Variation takes your uploaded reference images and generates alternative versions that capture the essence of the original — same subject, similar composition — but with natural variation in style, detail, color, and rendering. It is powered exclusively by **Nano Banana 2**, Qolaba's flagship Gemini model.

This is distinct from image-to-image generation, which uses a prompt to explicitly direct a transformation. Image Variation produces organic creative alternatives without requiring detailed transformation instructions.

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#### Image Variation vs. Image-to-Image

|                      | Image Variation                          | Image-to-Image                          |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Model**            | Nano Banana 2 only                       | Multiple models available               |
| **Reference images** | Up to 13                                 | Varies by model (up to 15)              |
| **Prompt required**  | Optional                                 | Recommended for direction               |
| **Output**           | Creative variations of the reference     | Directed transformation based on prompt |
| **Best for**         | Style exploration, creative alternatives | Specific, guided transformations        |

Use Image Variation when you want to explore what the image could look like with natural creative diversity. Use image-to-image when you have a specific transformation in mind and need to direct it with a prompt.

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#### How to Use Image Variation

* **Step 1 —** Open **Image Editing → Image Variation** from the workspace.
* **Step 2 —** Upload up to **13 reference images**, or select from your generation history. The more references you provide, the more the model understands the visual language you want to explore.
* **Step 3 —** Optionally add a prompt to loosely guide the variation direction — style, mood, or specific elements to emphasize.
* **Step 4 —** Configure output settings — quality and dimensions.
* **Step 5 —** Review the credit cost and click **Generate**.

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#### When to Use Image Variation

* **Creative exploration** — when you want to see alternative interpretations of an existing image without specifying exact changes
* **A/B testing visuals** — generate several variations of a marketing creative and select the strongest for production
* **Design iteration** — explore how an image looks across different stylistic interpretations before committing to a direction
* **Style consistency testing** — upload multiple brand assets as references and generate variations to see how well the model captures the brand's visual identity
* **Client options** — produce a range of alternatives from a confirmed base image to present multiple directions without full regeneration

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#### Tips for Effective Image Variation

* **Upload multiple references for richer variation** — a single reference produces limited variation range. Uploading 3–5 references that share a consistent visual style gives the model a broader understanding of the aesthetic you want to explore
* **Use clean, high-quality references** — the quality of the variation output reflects the quality of the input references
* **Add a loose prompt for directional control** — if you want variations to lean toward a specific style or mood without fully directing a transformation, a brief style prompt (*"warmer color palette"*, *"more dramatic lighting"*) nudges the output without over-constraining it
* **Generate multiple variations at once** — set generations to 3 or 4 to produce a range of alternatives in one run, then select the strongest for further refinement or production