Inpainting, Pan, Zoom Out & Web Editor
Generating an initial image is only the first step. Professional production workflows require fine-grained canvas manipulation: fixing imperfect hands, swapping accessories, expanding horizons, and altering aspect ratios through localized inpainting and outpainting.
1. Localized Inpainting with Vary (Region)
Inpainting allows you to modify a specific localized area of an upscaled image without re-generating the rest of the canvas:
Step-by-Step Inpainting Protocol:
- Upscale Your Favorite Image: Select U1, U2, U3, or U4 from your generation grid.
- Click Vary (Region): An interactive modal opens displaying your image with a canvas brush and rectangular selection tool.
- Mask the Defective Area: Paint over the object you want to change (e.g. an unwanted necklace, distorted hand, or empty tabletop).
- Edit Prompt (Remix Mode): Update the text prompt to describe what should appear inside the painted mask (e.g. "a glowing magical crystal orb resting on the table").
- Submit Job: Midjourney generates a new 4-image grid where 95% of the image remains identical, and only the masked region is regenerated!
2. Directional Outpainting: The Pan Arrows (⬅️ ➡️ ⬆️ ⬇️)
When you upscale an image, four arrow buttons appear beneath the render: ⬅️ Pan Left, ➡️ Pan Right, ⬆️ Pan Up, ⬇️ Pan Down.
Expanding Scene Horizons
Clicking an arrow extends the canvas in that direction by adding new visual terrain while locking the original content. You can repeatedly pan right to create an ultra-wide 32:9 panoramic landscape.
Modifying Prompts During Pan
With Remix Mode enabled, clicking an arrow allows you to specify what appears in the new area: e.g. Panning right on a pirate ship and changing the prompt to "an approaching Spanish galleon firing cannons".
3. Zoom Out: 1.5x, 2x & Custom Zoom Ratios
Zooming out scales down the original image into the center of a larger canvas and generates contextual surroundings around all four borders:
Zoom Out 2x
Immediately doubles the field of view in all directions, turning a tight headshot portrait into a full waist-up medium shot.
Zoom Out 1.5x
Subtle expansion ideal for adding breathing room around tight subject boundaries.
Custom Zoom & Aspect Ratio
Click Custom Zoom to change aspect ratios simultaneously: e.g. convert a square 1:1 image into a wide 16:9 banner by typing --ar 16:9 --zoom 1.5.
4. 2048x2048 Upscaling: Subtle vs. Creative
Midjourney v6.1 includes two built-in 2x high-resolution upscalers that double dimensions from 1024x1024 to 2048x2048:
| Upscaler Mode | Detail Retention | Recommended Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Upscale (Subtle) | Maintains exact pixel-level structures and facial likeness; simply enhances sharpness. | Photorealistic portraits, branded products, client-approved compositions. |
| Upscale (Creative) | Re-interprets fine textures; introduces intricate micro-details, wrinkles, and fabric weaves. | Fantasy art, complex landscapes, sci-fi machinery concept art. |
Canvas Editing Key Takeaways
- Use Vary (Region) with Remix Mode to fix hands, swap accessories, or alter facial expressions.
- Pan arrows allow unidirectional canvas extensions to create panoramic compositions.
- Use Custom Zoom to reframe square images into 16:9 YouTube thumbnails or website banners.
- Choose Upscale (Subtle) to preserve original facial identity when generating 2048x2048 prints.
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