Bytedance Seedream 4.0 delivers advanced image generation capabilities with precise control over aspect ratios and output dimensions. This model processes text descriptions and optional reference images to create visual content across multiple formats.
Interface Overview
The Seedream 4.0 interface provides five main controls for image creation. Each component serves a specific function in the generation process, from content description to final output specifications.
Image Title Configuration
Enter a descriptive title that identifies your generated image within the system library. This required field organizes your creations and enables quick retrieval of past work.
Effective title formats:
- "Marketing banner autumn campaign 2024"
- "Portrait headshot professional lighting"
- "Product showcase minimalist background"
Choose titles that specify the image type, subject matter, or intended use. Avoid generic terms that make images difficult to locate later.
Prompt Construction
The prompt field accepts detailed descriptions of your desired image content. Write specific instructions that guide the AI toward your vision.
Structure your prompts systematically:
- Primary subject or focal point
- Setting or environment details
- Lighting conditions and mood
- Color palette or style preferences
- Technical specifications
High-quality prompt example: "Professional business woman in navy blazer sitting at modern office desk, natural window lighting from left side, clean corporate environment, shallow depth of field, shot with 85mm lens"
Basic prompt example: "Woman at desk"
The model interprets longer, more detailed prompts with greater accuracy than brief descriptions.
Reference Image Integration
Seedream 4.0 accepts optional input images that influence the generation process. Three methods provide reference material:
Past Generations Selection
Access your previous Seedream creations directly from the interface. This feature maintains consistency across related projects and builds upon successful results.
Direct File Upload
Upload images from your device in standard formats including JPEG, PNG, and WebP. Reference images should match the quality level you want in your final output.
URL Image Import
Provide direct links to online images. Verify that URLs point to the actual image file rather than web pages containing images.
Reference images guide style, composition, and visual elements without exact replication. The AI interprets these inputs alongside your written prompt to create new content.
Output Quantity Selection
Choose how many image variations to generate per request using the dropdown menu. Multiple outputs provide creative options and increase the likelihood of achieving your desired result.
Single image generation processes faster and consumes fewer resources. Multiple generations offer variety but require additional processing time.
Aspect Ratio Control
Seedream 4.0 offers six preset aspect ratios for different use cases. Select the format that matches your intended application before generating images.
Square (1:1)
Standard square format works well for social media posts, profile pictures, and general-purpose images. This format centers subjects effectively and adapts to various display contexts.
Square HD (1:1 High Definition)
Higher resolution square format provides additional detail for print applications or large-scale display. Choose this option when image clarity outweighs file size considerations.
Portrait 4:3
Traditional portrait orientation suits headshots, individual subjects, and vertical compositions. This ratio provides balanced proportions for human subjects and tall objects.
Portrait 16:9
Extended vertical format accommodates full-body portraits, architectural subjects, and mobile device displays. Use this ratio for content designed for vertical viewing on phones and tablets.
Landscape 4:3
Classic landscape orientation works for scenic views, group photos, and horizontal compositions. This format matches traditional photography proportions and presentation displays.
Landscape 16:9
Widescreen landscape format suits cinematic scenes, panoramic views, and modern display screens. Choose this ratio for content intended for monitors, TVs, and web banners.
Generation Workflows
Text-to-Image Creation
Generate original images from written descriptions alone:
- Title your creation - Enter a descriptive identifier
- Compose detailed prompt - Write specific visual instructions
- Select aspect ratio - Choose format for intended use
- Set generation quantity - Pick number of variations
- Process request - Submit for AI generation
Leave input images empty for purely text-based generation. Focus on prompt detail to achieve precise results.
Image-to-Image Enhancement
Modify existing images using reference inputs and text guidance:
- Upload reference image - Provide base visual material
- Write modification prompt - Describe desired changes
- Configure output settings - Set title, ratio, and quantity
- Generate variations - Process enhanced versions
Combine reference images with detailed prompts to guide specific modifications while maintaining source image characteristics.
Optimization Strategies
Prompt Refinement Techniques
Start with core subject identification, then layer additional details. Arrange descriptive elements from most important to supporting details.
Progression example:
- Basic: "Dog in park"
- Improved: "Golden retriever in green park setting"
- Optimized: "Golden retriever sitting on grass in sunny park, morning light filtering through oak trees, shallow depth of field, warm color palette"
Reference Image Selection
Choose reference images that clearly demonstrate the style, composition, or elements you want incorporated. High-contrast, well-lit images provide stronger guidance than dim or cluttered references.
Match reference image quality to your output expectations. Low-resolution references typically produce lower-quality results.
Aspect Ratio Planning
Consider your content's final destination when selecting aspect ratios. Social platforms favor square formats, while website headers work better with landscape orientations.
Portrait ratios suit individual subjects and mobile viewing. Landscape formats accommodate multiple subjects and desktop displays.
Project Organization
File Naming Conventions
Develop consistent naming patterns that include project identifiers, version numbers, or creation dates. This system prevents confusion when managing multiple generations.
Organized naming examples:
- "Logo-concept-v1-square"
- "Product-hero-landscape-final"
- "Portrait-session-option3"
Version Control
Generate multiple variations of important images to compare options. Save promising results even if they need additional refinement.
Use successful generations as reference images for iterative improvements. This approach builds quality progressively rather than starting fresh each time.
Library Management
Review your past generations regularly to identify effective prompts and successful techniques. Document particularly useful prompt structures for future projects.
Archive completed projects separately from active work to maintain organized libraries without losing access to successful references.
Quality Optimization
Resolution Considerations
Select appropriate aspect ratios based on intended output size. HD options provide additional detail for print or large-scale digital display.
Standard resolutions work effectively for web use and social media applications. Consider file size requirements when choosing between standard and HD options.
Style Consistency
Maintain visual coherence across related images by reusing successful prompt elements and reference materials. Document effective combinations for future use.
Create style guides using successful generations as reference points for ongoing projects requiring consistent visual approaches.
How will you structure your first Seedream 4.0 generation to match your specific creative goals?