How to use Pixel Studio

Pixel Studio is one of the more interesting AI features to arrive alongside the Pixel 9 devices. It's an app powered by Google's Imagen 3 model, giving users the ability to generate impressive images on-device just by typing in descriptive prompts. That includes being able to render text pretty accurately, something that seemed difficult for text-to-image models until now.

The idea is to create fun or interesting images straight from your phone, either from scratch or by using any of the samples present in the app. If you have a Pixel 9 series phone, you'll have access to this feature out of the box without needing to subscribe to any Google One subscription.

It's only getting better over time, as the latest March Feature Drop added new ways to create with Pixel Studio. Here's how you can get started creating your own images with the app.

Getting started and using Pixel Studio

1. Open the app and follow the prompt to download the AI model. Once downloaded, you can scroll through the app to view the different example images, with different categories presented at the top.

2a. Select an image, then tap the text field to edit the prompt and begin changing it to your liking.

2b. When you're done, tap the checkmark and wait for the updated image to generate.

3. Alternatively, you can also create your own image from scratch by tapping the Create button on the main Pixel Studio home screen. Once an image is generated, you can press the circular arrow button at the bottom to regenerate an image. If you've generated multiple images from the same prompt, you'll be able to scroll back to see what you've already generated.

4. You can change the style of the image by tapping the middle icon in the text field. You can also add stickers, add captions, or edit images by tapping the Stickers and tools button at the bottom.

5. Once you've generated an image you like, you can select from the options in the top right corner to: copy the image, share it, download it, or delete it.

6. From the main Pixel Studio home page, tap the folder icon in the top left corner to access your previous creations.

You also have the option to import your own images for editing, although this function is much more limited, as it only lets you move or erase objects and add captions or stickers.

Creating images of people with Pixel Studio

With the March Pixel Feature Drop, Pixel Studio gained the ability to generate images of people. Keep in mind that Google says this feature is "being fine-tuned," and you could see "unexpected results or blocked images." Here's how to try it:

1. Tap the Create button and write a prompt that includes a person.

2. Press the green check button to generate the image.

3. You will now see your generated image. Tap the circular arrow button at the bottom to regenerate an image, tap the middle button to change the style of the image, or tap Stickers and tools to edit further.

4. When you're happy with an image, tap the Copy, Share, Save, or Delete buttons in the top-right corner of the app.

Now, you've created lifelike images of people using AI in Pixel Studio.

Reporting bad Pixel Studio image generations

1. Tap the three dots in the text field bar.

2. Tap Bad generation.

3. Fill out the form by choosing a reason you selected the image as bad and provide any additional feedback in the text field. Tap the check mark box at the bottom to agree to send a copy of the image and related content (i.e., the text prompt) to Google.

Alternatively, you can follow the same steps to report a good generation and provide Google feedback on why you think so.

Pixel Studio is a work in progress

Pixel Studio is intended to be a fun feature that allows a user's imagination to run wild. However, given that this is a preview, it's important to note that the results won't always be perfect. The company notes that it is working on the ability to generate humans. It also warns that Pixel Studio "might misinterpret your prompt" and that you should be as specific as possible.

Additionally, while Google has safeguards in place to help keep Pixel Studio from generating potentially offensive content, some things may slip through the cracks. Google is continuously working to address this with the app, but fortunately, you can rate individual generations and report ones you think are bad for whatever reason. This way, Google can better filter out certain types of content from being generated in Pixel Studio.