Complete Guide To Midjourney V5.2 Zoom Out(Outpainting)

Get the best out of the new Midjourney feature

Zoom In Animation based on Midjourney Zoom Out imagery, by author & Midjourney

Midjourney’s new Zoom Out (or Outpainting) function is arguably the most important update in the Midjourney toolset since the introduction of V3.

Here’s a complete guide to what the new feature entails and how you can use it across different applications. We’ll cover:

• introduction to Zoom Out/Outpainting
• 1.5x, 2x and Make Square Zooms
• Custom Zoom
• current limitations and tools that might help you overcome them

What Is Zoom Out?

Midjourney’s Zoom Out, also known as Outpainting, is a process in which an AI model extends the content of an image beyond its original boundaries.

The model accomplishes this by predicting the additional content based on the patterns and features of the existing image.

Basic Usage

To create a zoom or outpainting all you need is an upscaled image to start from. Let’s start with this prompt:

close up of an alien dressed in streetwear

We upscale the image and get:

You can now choose between 1.5x, 2x and Custom Zoom.

We get a fourth option, however, when generating non-square images:

3:2 and 2:3 aspect ratios and the “Make Square” option

Comparing Make Square, 1.5x and 2x Zooms

If you start comparing the 1.5x, 2x and Make Square options, you will notice that the 1.5x and 2x Zoom options extend the canvas to all sides while Make Square will only extend the larger side of a non-square image.

First example: 1.5x Zoom and 2x Zoom (note: the relative size of he original motif is reduced):