ByteDance, the company widely known thanks to the TikTok app, unveiled a new AI image generation model last month.
This model is named Seedream 3.0. It specializes in generating images solely from text prompts, positioning itself as a direct competitor to powerful models in the field like OpenAI's GPT-4o and Google's Imagen 3.
Seedream 3.0 stands out with its capability to design high-resolution images up to 2K. Additionally, it boasts a crucially important feature: the accurate writing of text within images—a challenge that has long faced many previous models.
To get a closer look at this model's capabilities, we practically tested it on the Dreamina website, which is affiliated with CapCut. This platform currently allows for a free trial of SeeDream 3.0.
So, how did the image generator perform in our tests? And does it live up to its promises?
What is SeeDream 3.0?
Simply put, Seedream 3.0 is an AI program capable of transforming the words you write into images.
It's an updated and improved version of the company's previous model, Seedream 2.0.
What makes it stand out is its understanding and handling of text in both Chinese and English languages.
Building upon the previous version, this new model relies on significantly more training data; its database increased by roughly 100%.
Developers also utilized advanced training methods to boost its efficiency and its ability to understand diverse user requests, translating them into accurate images.
Key Capabilities of Seedream 3.0
The new image generator possesses several important capabilities that make it a strong competitor:
1. Very Clear Images: It can produce very high-resolution images, reaching up to 2K.
This high resolution ensures that the resulting artworks are sharp, filled with fine details, and possess excellent visual quality suitable for professional uses.
2. Speed in Operation: According to the developers, the model accomplishes its tasks significantly faster compared to previous versions.
Consequently, users receive the images they request in less time, enhancing the generation process's effectiveness.
3. Proficiency in Writing Text: The model exhibits a remarkable ability to embed text within images, particularly complex texts in the Chinese language.
Some even suggest it surpasses other models in this aspect, as they often struggle with or produce garbled text when attempting to integrate writing into images.
4. General Visual Quality: ByteDance notes that the images generated by Seedream feature good colors, high clarity, and overall aesthetic appeal, distinguishing them from some other models which may produce images with muted colors or some distortion.
Comparison with Competitors
ByteDance stated that Seedream 3.0 strongly competes with major models in the market.
Preliminary assessments issued by independent platforms specializing in AI model analysis, such as the "Artificial Analysis Image Arena Leaderboard," indicated that the new model's performance closely approaches that of GPT-4o in general image generation quality.
Moreover, it demonstrates clear superiority over the Imagen 3 model in certain aspects.
Practical Experience on Dreamina.com: Step-by-Step
To get a closer look at SeeDream 3.0's capabilities, we practically tested it directly on Dreamina.com.
This website, affiliated with CapCut, features an easy-to-use interface for designing AI images.
1. Accessing the Generator: The experience begins by navigating to the "Image Generator" section on the site.
2. Selecting the Model: From the list of available models, we choose "SeeDream 3" (or sometimes labeled "Bay Sdream 3") and specify the desired quality.
Here, we selected "High 2K" to test the model's maximum capabilities. A "Standard (1K)" option is also available for those needing greater speed or lower resolution.
3. Defining Dimensions: Before generating, we specify the desired image dimensions.
We chose 16:9 dimensions in some experiments, which is common for cinematic scenes, and also 9:16 in other tests.
4. Entering the Prompt: This is where we write the text describing the image we want.
Various prompts were used to test different aspects of the model's capabilities.
5. Generating: We click the "Generate" button and await the result. The website generates a set of images (usually four in the free trial).
Five Prompts to Test SeaDream 3.0
We conducted a series of tests using various text prompts. The goal was to see how the model handles different types of requests, from complex scenes to fine details and text inclusion.
Here are the results of these tests.
1: High-Resolution Cinematic Scene
Prompt: Cinematic shot of a lone astronaut standing on a misty alien planet, distant nebula in the sky, dramatic lighting, high detail, 2K resolution.
Goal: We used this prompt to test the model's ability to create a complex scene with specific atmosphere and lighting.
Result: The resulting images were very striking, especially in terms of detail clarity in the astronaut's suit and the depiction of mist and nebula.
Colors appeared vibrant, and the dramatic lighting gave the scene a truly cinematic feel.
The effect of 2K resolution was also clear in the precision of small elements.
Evaluation: The result demonstrated that the model can understand requests involving complex artistic details and visually render them with high quality.
2. Focusing on Details and Realism
Prompt: Close-up portrait of an old man with deep wrinkles and kind eyes, natural outdoor lighting, photo-realistic, detailed skin texture, 2K.
Goal: In this test, we wanted to see the model's capability to simulate realism and focus on human face details.
Result: The images we obtained were highly convincing. Details (wrinkles, skin texture, and eye glint) were precise and of high quality.
Evaluation: The model efficiently handles fine details of faces when a realistic style is requested.
3: Capability to Write Simple Text
Prompt: A white ceramic mug on a wooden table, steam rising, text on the mug says "Morning Coffee", soft lighting, shallow depth of field.
Goal: Testing SeeDream 3.0's prominent feature: text writing. Therefore, we requested a simple text in English.
Result: In some of the generated images, the text "Morning Coffee" appeared clearly and correctly written on the mug, with an acceptable font.
The writing was not blurry or contained spelling or structural errors, as often happens with other models.
Evaluation: SeeDream 3.0 excels in handling English text within images effectively.
4. Designing a Scene with Complex Background Details
Prompt: futuristic cyberpunk city at night, neon lights, rain on the pavement, detailed background, reflections, 2K.
Goal: This prompt combines complex background details with a specific atmosphere (night, rain, neon).
Result: The resulting images looked rich in visual details. Reflections of lights on the wet pavement appeared realistic. Details of the buildings and the complex background were also relatively clear.
Evaluation: SeeDream 3.0 has a high capability to manage scenes containing numerous and overlapping visual elements.
5. Including Complex Text or Text in Another Language (Simulating Chinese)
Prompt: A traditional Chinese painting style image of a mountain landscape, with a red stamp on the bottom left corner containing complex Chinese characters, delicate brushstrokes, subtle colors.
This test simulates the tool's ability to handle complex text, especially Chinese text, which it is known to excel at.
Given the model's announced capabilities in handling Chinese text, we expected it to integrate the red stamp with Chinese characters more accurately than other models. Many generators struggle with such complex, non-Latin textual details.
Moreover, the model demonstrated a skill in simulating the traditional artistic style (Chinese painting) with proficiency.
Overall Evaluation and Additional Tools for Enhancing and Modifying Results
After completing the experiment, here are several observations regarding SeeDream 3.0's performance and other tools within Dreamina that can be integrated with the model's results for further processing.
1. 2K Quality: Images produced at this resolution indeed offered a good level of detail and clarity.
2. Text Writing: Seedream 3.0 successfully wrote text clearly and accurately within the image in a number of the results it provided, confirming claims about its proficiency in this area, which is a common weakness in other models.
3. Upscale Feature: Dreamina provides an "Upscale" feature (quality enhancement) that worked to significantly increase the resolution and details of the selected image.
This is a valuable addition currently available for free.
4. Editing Tools (Inpaint): We also experimented with the in-image editing tool, where we removed an element and requested its replacement.
The tool responded and made the requested change, though results might require more precise prompting or further refinement.
Golden Opportunity: Free Use Currently on Dreamina
One of the most notable aspects of the experience is that using the SeeDream 3.0 model and some of its accompanying tools, such as Upscale, is currently available on Dreamina.com for free and without limits in some regions.
This presents an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to try the model and assess its capabilities themselves without any cost.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand that this situation (free and unlimited use) is available in some regions and may not last long.
Indeed, powerful and advanced models like SeeDream 3.0 require significant computing resources.
Consequently, companies usually transition to offering their services based on subscription plans or pay-per-use after a trial period or for a limited duration.
Based on this experience, it can be said that SeeDream 3.0 indeed represents a promising model in the field of AI image generation.
Furthermore, its capability to produce 2K images and its remarkable efficiency in embedding text within images strongly position it on the competitive map alongside leading models.
Additionally, the supporting website Dreamina.com provides an easy interface to access and try it.
The current free use offers an excellent opportunity to explore the potential of this newcomer from ByteDance.
