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Your First Project

Follow this complete tutorial to create a collection with trait variations. We'll create a robot mascot with different eye colors and antenna styles.

Prerequisites​

  • A VariantLab account with Mana credits
  • Completed the Quick Start guide

Step 1: Setup - Create Base Image​

  1. Create a new project called "robots"

  2. Write your prompt:

    A cute robot mascot with large round eyes, silver metallic body,
    and small antenna on top, flat digital art style, centered composition,
    solid white background, full body visible

  3. Configure settings:

    • Model: Gemini 2.5 Flash Image
    • Aspect Ratio: 1:1
    • Remove Background: Off (for now)

  4. Click Generate and wait for your image

  5. Favorite your image - Click the star icon in the top right of the image canvas to set your favorite image version to be used in the next steps

Step 2: Detection - Define Traits​

Navigate to the Detection tab.

  1. Add traits - Click "+ Add Trait" and add:

    • eyes
    • antenna

  2. Configure detection prompts - Customize each prompt:

    • Eyes: "the robot's round eyes"
    • Antenna: "the antenna on top of the robot's head"

  3. Click "Detect All" - The AI will analyze your image and create masks for each trait

  4. Review and edit masks:

    • Select each trait card to see its mask
    • Use the brush tool to add areas the AI missed
    • Use the eraser tool to remove incorrect areas

  5. Set layer order - Drag to arrange (background traits first):

      1. eyes
      1. antenna
Mask Editing

Hold Shift while drawing to create straight lines. Use the scroll wheel to adjust brush size quickly.

Step 3: Variations - Create Alternatives​

Navigate to the Variations tab.

  1. Select a trait (e.g., "eyes")

  2. Add variation prompts:

    • "glowing red LED eyes"
    • "bright green neon eyes"
    • "electric blue cyberpunk eyes"

  3. Generate variations - Click the generate button for each prompt

  4. Review results:

    • Each variation shows the full image with only that trait modified
    • The layer is automatically extracted with transparency

  5. Favorite your best versions - Click the star on variations you want to include

  6. Repeat for "antenna":

    • "tall satellite dish antenna"
    • "short stubby antenna with blinking light"
    • "double antennas with wires"

Step 4: Combine - Generate Combinations​

Navigate to the Combine tab.

  1. Review your layers:

    • Original eyes + 3 variations = 4 options
    • Original antenna + 3 variations = 4 options
    • Total combinations: 4 × 4 = 16 unique images

  2. Configure combination settings:

    • Keep "Use favorite layers only" enabled
    • Set a limit if you want fewer combinations

  3. Click "Combine All" - VariantLab will generate all 16 combinations

  4. Preview results in the gallery view

Step 5: Export - Download Your Collection​

Navigate to the Export tab.

  1. Select export format:

    • PNG - Individual images
    • PSD - Layered Photoshop file
    • SVG - Vector format (if applicable)

  2. Configure options:

    • Crop to content: Trims transparent edges
    • Use display names: Human-readable filenames

  3. Click "Export" - Your ZIP file will download

What You Created​

Congratulations! You've created:

  • 1 base image
  • 2 traits with masks
  • 6 variation layers (3 per trait)
  • 16 unique combinations
  • 1 export package

Next Steps​