How do I select a specific Midjourney version?

If you would like to use a specific version of Midjourney's algorithm to generate an image, simply add the " --v " parameter followed by the version number. Example: /imagine blue rabbit --v 5 .

Are new Midjourney versions better than older ones?

Although there is no particular rule that states that newer versions must automatically be better than older ones, general consensus seems to be that Midjourney's algorithm is getting better and better with each new iteration.

Is Midjourney version 5 available to the public?

As of 14 November 2022, version 4 of Midjourney is the default version of Midjourney. However, Midjourney released version 5 of its algorithm into alpha testing on 15 March 2023 and can already start using it by applying the version modifier to your commands (e.g. " --v 5 ").

How to Use the Midjourney Algorithm Modifier

Want to know how to switch between Midjourney algorithms?

The vast majority of people who play around with Midjourney tend to stick to the default settings and even if they do use some parameters, almost no one decides to change the algorithm.

However, it’s always worth trying out some of the other Midjourney versions just to get a feeling for how the technology has evolved and especially when new versions are released into beta.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to generate images using the Midjourney algorithm modifier to get early access to the newest features.

Let’s dive right in.

Table of Contents Show

What is Midjourney Algorithm Modifier?

There are a number of different Midjourney algorithm modifiers, however, the most important one is used to switch between different versions.

As of 15 March 2023, there are 5 different versions of the Midjourney algorithm.

Version 4 is currently the default version that is used by the majority of users and already managed to blow people’s minds last winter.

However, things are about to get a little bit crazier with version 5.

Once a new version of the algorithm is released into beta, users will be able to access it by using the Midjourney algorithm modifier “–v” or “–version”.

Key Points (tl;dr)

Algorithm modifiers allow users to generate images with different versions of the Midjourney algorithm.
Switching between different versions of Midjourney is very easy and only requires you to add a simple version parameter to the end of your command (e.g. “--v 5“).
If you compare images generated with the exact same prompt, you’ll quickly realize just how powerful Midjourney’s AI has become over time.

How to Switch Between Midjourney Versions

Switching between older versions of the algorithm or testing the newest version is very easy to do.

Simply write your prompt the way you normally would and also feel free to add whatever additional parameters you may need.

Before you send the command make sure you add one last parameter at the very end and set which version of the Midjourney algorithm you want to use.

Here’s an example:

/imagine prompt: pretty girl with a red umbrella in her hand --version 5

Alternatively, you can also use “--v” which is shorthand for “--version“.

Since every version may behave a bit differently, don’t be surprised if it takes a bit longer to generate the initial previews of your images.

And once you see what version 5 of Midjourney is able to achieve, your jaw is going to drop to the floor.

Comparison of All 5 Algorithm Versions

In order to properly illustrate just how good Midjourney’s AI has become in such a relatively short period of time, let’s have a look at some examples.

The following 4 images have all been generated using the exact same prompt: “pretty girl with a red umbrella in her hand“.

The only thing we’ve changed is the version modifier in the command.

Midjourney Version 1

Sample output from using the Midjourney algorithm modifier for version 1.

Version 1 of Midjourney’s algorithm still had lots of flaws and also put a lot more emphasis on photos.

Most of the images remind us of the type of output you would receive from open-source models such as DALL-E Mini.

Midjourney Version 2

Sample output from using the Midjourney algorithm modifier for version 2.

Using version 2 of the Midjourney algorithm modifier we get results that move more toward digital art.

While the results are clearly more artistic, the composition and the proportions of bodies are still not quite right.

Midjourney Version 3

Sample output from using the Midjourney algorithm modifier for version 3.

Version 3 was the big breakthrough that caught the public’s attention summer of 2022.

What made Midjourney particularly popular was the fact that the results looked incredibly artistic and didn’t necessarily try to emulate photography.

As of today, version 3 is still the default algorithm, according to the official Midjourney documentation.

Midjourney Version 4

Sample output from using the Midjourney algorithm modifier for version 4.

Version 4 of Midjourney is currently in beta, but it is so incredibly good that it’s only a matter of time until it becomes the new default.

Although it still seems to face some challenges when it comes to hands and fingers, the over results are so unbelievable, that it’s downright scary.

Midjourney Version 5

Sample output from using the Midjourney algorithm modifier for version 5.

What you’ll immediately notice is that Midjourney v5 has a much stronger focus on photographic realism straight out of the box.

Many people who had gotten used to the high level of default stylization in v4 were quite upset about this because they were no longer able to produce images that were equally aesthetic.

However, v5 is absolutely capable of producing the very same type of images, if not even better ones, as long as you know how to write good prompts.

Most people aren’t good at prompting, so they felt like they’d been deprived of a skill that they never had to begin with (if I may be honest here).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Before we close off this guide, let’s quickly address some of the most common questions related to Midjourney algorithm modifiers.

How do I select a specific Midjourney version?

If you would like to use a specific version of Midjourney’s algorithm to generate an image, simply add the “--v” parameter followed by the version number. Example: /imagine blue rabbit --v 5.
Are new Midjourney versions better than older ones?

Although there is no particular rule that states that newer versions must automatically be better than older ones, general consensus seems to be that Midjourney’s algorithm is getting better and better with each new iteration.
Is Midjourney version 5 available to the public?

As of 14 November 2022, version 4 of Midjourney is the default version of Midjourney. However, Midjourney released version 5 of its algorithm into alpha testing on 15 March 2023 and can already start using it by applying the version modifier to your commands (e.g. “--v 5“).

Conclusion

Most users will not need to use the Midjourney algorithm modifier in order to have an enjoyable experience.

However, if you are a professional user, getting early access to newer versions of Midjourney will undoubtedly give you an edge once it does become the new standard.

We strongly recommend that you give version 5 of Midjourney a try and prepare to be blown away.

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