AI image extenders are invaluable tools for professional designers. They offer a fast and easy way to create iterations of images and adapt them to different aspect ratios. Also called “generative fill tools” and “AI photo enlargers,” AI image extenders are a must-have for designers who want to adapt, enhance and personalize visual content with ease.

What is an AI image expander?

An AI image extender or image enlarger extends an image beyond its original boundaries without compromising quality. Digital designers love AI image expanders because they offer a quick and easy way to get more out of their favorite images.

Imagine having the perfect image that captures the exact palette, mood and composition for the project, but it doesn’t quite fit the format requirements. An AI image extender lets creators adapt the aspect ratio, adding details that enhance the image.   

Is outpainting the same thing as AI image extension?
Yes, outpainting means keeping the image's core composition intact while adding extra detail around it – which is exactly what an AI image expander does. Let’s say you have an image, maybe a photo or something generated by AI. Unlike inpainting, which alters content within the image, AI outpainting adds what’s beyond the edges.

AI image enlargers let users zoom out to see the image as part of an expanded scene. This is super useful for creating full backgrounds for banners, making adjustments for posters or adaptingimages to different aspect ratios without stretching or cropping.

1. Open a new project at Recraft and prepare to expand an image

Upload an image or generate one using the Recraft AI image generator. Click to create a frame, and set the image in its center. The frame is crucial because it acts as the space where the AI will generate fill content. Photos and images can’t be extended with an AI image enlarger unless there is a frame. 

Make sure to set the frame size and aspect ratio first so the expanded image will fit project. The Recraft aspect ratio slider makes it easy to set an aspect ratio. Drag the corners of the frame until the size is right.

2: Expand the image into the frame with or without a prompt

Now that there is a frame around the image, use the AI image expander tool to “fill” the frame. Use a prompt to describe what creator want to see around the image. You can also skip this and let the AI generate surrounding content naturally. But for more control over the output, it’s best to use a prompt.

Say original image is a person on a street corner, and user wants to add urban elements. Use a prompt like "urban graffiti" to guide the AI so it creates a more refined visual generative fill output.

3: Use the AI image enlarger to experiment, play, refine

Outpainting lets designers play with different looks and styles around the original image. Try various prompts to expand in multiple directions or use different color palettes. 

The outpainting process can be repeated infinitely, creating an entirely new scene around the image. The Recraft AI image expander can handle multiple rounds of outpainting.

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Creating a large format or a dynamic setting? Repeat the process to build depth and achieve a stunning result.

How to get the best results with the Recraft AI outpainting feature

To get the most out of the Recraft AI image expander, keep these best practices in mind for optimal results:

• Use the aspect ratio slider: Recraft lets easily adapt any image to a specific ratio. AI image enlargers do this without distorting or losing essential parts of the original image. Before enlarging an image, set the aspect ratio – particularly helpful for social media posts, banners, or large-format designs where specific dimensions matter.
  
  
• Start with clear, simple prompts: Prompts help steer the Recraft AI image generator in the right direction, but too much detail can sometimes overcomplicate an image. Try starting with simple descriptions like "forest backdrop" or "sandy beach" and then build on those elements for more refined results.
  
  
• Try a smaller frame: The Recreft AI image expander generally retains the core elements of the image, with only slight color shifts, added elements or enhancements. But to ensure the original essence stays intact, limit the size of the frame. A smaller frame keeps the focus on the original image.
  
  
• Experiment with recoloring: If the design requires consistent color themes, use recoloring prompts. Let’s say a winter theme with cool colors wanted – specify this to the AI, so the images you extend have consistent hues and a harmonized atmosphere.

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Design use cases: when to use the Recraft AI image expander

AI image extenders are versatile tools for designers. They help designers easily adapt images to different formats and create cool visuals that work for all kinds of unique scenarios. Here are a few inspiring ways to the Recraft AI image expander in design projects:

1. Make a banner out of any image

Instead of cropping and risking image quality or compromising the composition of the image, use outpainting to add visual interest on the sides and create a wider scene without reducing overall quality.

2. Enhance avatars and profile pics

AI image expanders (also called “photo enlargers” are great for extending square photos and avatars or adding more detail. Say you have a headshot or avatar but want to give it a more interesting context. With an AI image extender creators can add surroundings like “in a modern office” or “in a concert hall” to enrich the image while keeping it professional.

3. Create dynamic backgrounds

When creating posters, magazine covers or social media graphics, an image might need to be adjusted so it fills the entire frame while keeping the design visually balanced. Instead of filling with flat colors or patterns, use the Recraft AI expander to generate background extensions that naturally blend with the original image.

4. Customize marketing materials

AI image expanders are perfect for adapting existing visuals for ads, brochures and different digital marketing formats.

5. Storytell through visual extension

AI image extenders open the door to AI design storytelling. Imagine starting with a character or object and gradually outpainting the environment to create a narrative. Start with an image of a character standing on a cliff and then expand the scene to reveal mountains. And then a vast sky with clouds. AI image extenders help build immersive visuals that are ideal for storytelling.

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Start using the Recraft AI image expander today

Using AI to enlarge or outpaint images is not just editing – it’s creating new perspectives and bringing imaginative ideas to life. The Recraft AI image expander lets designers and creators easily turn images into engaging, context-rich designs for all kinds of projects. Ready to go? Sign up at recraft.ai. 

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