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Everything you need to know about using Picture Alchemy

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What is Picture Alchemy?

Picture Alchemy is a modular prompt builder for AI image generation tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E. Instead of typing complex prompts manually, you select pre-crafted components from categories and let Picture Alchemy assemble them into professional prompts. Which AI tools work with Picture Alchemy? • Midjourney • Stable Diffusion (any version) • DALL-E 3 • Leonardo AI • Any text-to-image AI that accepts natural language prompts

Creating Your First Prompt

Your First Prompt in 3 Steps: Step 1: Select a Character Click "Character" in the left sidebar → Choose "brave knight in armor" Step 2: Add a Pose Click "Pose & Mood" → Choose "head raised up proudly" Step 3: Set the Environment Click "Environment" → Choose "cozy cottage living room" That's it! Your final prompt appears in the right panel: Character: brave knight in armor Pose & Mood: head raised up proudly Environment: cozy cottage living room Click Copy and paste it into your AI image tool!

Understanding Categories

Picture Alchemy has 12 categories: 1. Character - Who/what is in the scene (people, animals, creatures, objects) 2. Pose & Mood - Body position, facial expressions, emotions 3. Clothing - What characters are wearing 4. Props - Objects in the scene 5. Environment - Where it takes place (indoor/outdoor, architectural) 6. Atmosphere - Emotional tone and ambiance 7. Lighting - Light quality, direction, time of day 8. Textures - Surface qualities and materials 9. Color Palette - Color schemes and harmonies 10. Camera - Viewing angle, perspective, lens type 11. Style - Art style (photography, painted, digital rendering) 12. Output Format - Technical specifications You don't need to select from every category - choose only what matters for your image! Most Essential Categories: • Character + Lighting + Style = Good starting point • Environment + Atmosphere + Camera = Great landscapes • Character + Pose & Mood + Clothing + Style = Detailed portraits

Mobile Navigation

On mobile devices: • Tap 📁 Categories button at bottom to browse prompts • Tap 📝 Final Prompt button to view/copy your result • Only one panel shows at a time for better focus • Tap the backdrop to close panels • All features accessible through bottom toggle buttons Mobile Tips: • Use landscape orientation for forms • Filters wrap automatically for easy access • Touch targets are optimized (44x44px minimum) • Quick Actions bar shows essential buttons only

Adding Custom Text

Want to add your own words? 1. Look at the Final Prompt panel (right side) 2. Click in the text area 3. Type your custom additions 4. Your custom text stays when you randomize! Tip: Put custom text in brackets [your text here] to easily identify it later Example: Character: elderly wizard with long beard [wearing star-covered purple robes] Pose & Mood: eyes wide with wonder Environment: mystical library interior Your custom text is ALWAYS preserved during Smart Random!

Browsing & Selecting Prompts

Browse by category: • Click a category in the left sidebar (desktop) or Categories button (mobile) • Subcategories appear with prompt options • Click any prompt to add it to your final prompt • Selected prompts are highlighted in color Deselecting: • Click a selected prompt again to remove it • Or use "Clear All" button to start fresh • Individual prompts can be removed from the Final Prompt panel Search: • Press Cmd/Ctrl + K or click Search • Type keywords • Searches across all categories • Instant results

The Final Prompt Panel

Your assembled prompt appears in the right panel (desktop) or via the 📝 Final Prompt button (mobile). Features:Copy - Copy entire prompt to clipboard • Edit - Modify text directly in the editor • Clear - Remove all selections and start over • Word/Character Count - Track prompt length • Share to Community - Publish to public library Keyboard Shortcuts:Cmd/Ctrl + C - Copy prompt • Cmd/Ctrl + A - Select all text • Cmd/Ctrl + Z - Undo changes

Quick Actions Bar (Floating Toolbar)

The Quick Actions Bar is a floating toolbar that appears at the bottom of your screen when you have prompts selected. It provides instant access to key actions. Location: • Desktop: Centered at bottom of screen • Mobile: Above the category/final prompt toggle buttons Selection Counter: • Shows number of currently selected prompts • Always visible on the left side of the bar All Buttons (left to right): 1. Randomize (Shuffle icon) • Randomly changes your current selections • Keeps same categories, selects different prompts • Preserves locked prompts • Keyboard: Shift + R (opens full Smart Random modal) 2. Copy & New (Copy icon) • Copies final prompt to clipboard • Clears all selections to start fresh • Perfect for rapid iteration workflow • Keyboard: Cmd/Ctrl + C (copy only, doesn't clear) 3. Duplicate & Modify (Wand icon) • Duplicates current selection • Allows you to modify the copy • Great for creating variations • Desktop only (hidden on mobile) 4. Undo (Undo arrow) • Reverts last selection change • Can undo multiple steps • Disabled when no history • Keyboard: Cmd/Ctrl + Z • Desktop only (hidden on mobile) 5. Redo (Redo arrow) • Re-applies undone changes • Only available after undo • Keyboard: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z • Desktop only (hidden on mobile) 6. Lock All / Unlock All (Lock/Unlock icon) • Toggles lock state for all prompts • Shows Lock when nothing is locked • Shows Unlock when prompts are locked • Useful for Smart Random workflows • Desktop only (hidden on mobile) 7. Clear All (Trash icon) • Removes all selected prompts • Starts completely fresh • Cannot be undone (use Undo before clearing if needed) Mobile Optimization: • Only essential buttons shown: Counter, Randomize, Copy, Clear • Advanced buttons (Duplicate, Undo, Redo, Lock) hidden to prevent overcrowding • Touch targets optimized (44x44px minimum) Workflow Examples: Rapid Iteration: 1. Select prompts → Copy & New 2. Paste into AI tool → Generate image 3. Repeat until satisfied Variation Creation: 1. Create base prompt 2. Lock elements you want to keep 3. Randomize rest 4. Copy & New when you like it Exploration with History: 1. Try random combinations 2. Undo if you don't like result 3. Try different approach 4. Redo if you want to go back Pro Tips: • The bar auto-hides when no prompts selected • Hover over buttons for tooltips • Use keyboard shortcuts for fastest workflow • Lock/Unlock All is powerful with Smart Random

Favorites & Quick Access

Mark prompts as favorites: • Click the star icon ⭐ on any prompt • Access all favorites via the Favorites filter • Quick access to components you use often Recently Used: • History automatically tracks recent selections • View in Recent Prompts panel • Re-use successful prompts quickly Keyboard Shortcut: F to add to favorites What's the difference?Favorites: Prompts you manually star for quick access • History: Automatically tracks prompts you've recently used

Using Presets

Save your current selections: 1. Select prompts from multiple categories 2. Click "Save Preset" button (💾) 3. Name it descriptively (e.g., "Portrait Setup", "Landscape Base") 4. Preset saved for instant recall Load presets: 1. Click "Load Preset" button (📂) 2. Select from your saved presets 3. All selections applied instantly 4. Modify as needed Perfect for: • Repeated workflows • Client-specific styles • Genre templates • Quick starting points Keyboard Shortcut: P to save as preset

Smart Random: Overview & Quick Presets

Smart Random is Picture Alchemy's signature feature - automatically generating professional prompts by intelligently selecting from thousands of curated components. What Makes It "Smart"?Category-Aware: Understands which categories work together • Coherent Combinations: Creates prompts that make sense • Preserves Intent: Respects locked prompts and custom text • Infinitely Variable: Millions of possible combinations Two Ways to Use Smart Random: 1. Quick Presets - One-click generation for common use cases 2. Custom Configuration - Precise control over every category --- Quick Presets (Instant Generation) Access via Smart Random button (sparkle icon ✨) in header or Shift + R 🎲 Random (All)What it does: One prompt from each major category • Includes: Character, Pose & Mood, Clothing, Props, Environment, Atmosphere, Lighting, Camera, Style, Color Palette • Excludes: Textures, Output Format • Best for: Full creative exploration, discovering unexpected combinations • Typical result: Complete, detailed prompts (100-150 words) 👤 Random PortraitWhat it does: Focused on people - faces and expressions • Includes: - Character (2 prompts) - Pose & Mood (2 prompts, facial expressions prioritized) - Lighting (1 prompt) • Excludes: Environment, Clothing, Props, etc. • Best for: Headshots, profile pictures, character portraits, facial studies • Typical result: Clean character focus (40-60 words) • Example: Character: curious scientist with goggles Pose & Mood: head tilted slightly to the right, gentle smile with soft eyes Lighting: evening golden time 🧍 Random Full BodyWhat it does: Complete character with outfit and pose • Includes: - Character (2 prompts) - Pose & Mood (2 prompts, full body poses) - Clothing & Props (1 prompt) • Excludes: Environment, Camera, Style, etc. • Best for: Character designs, fashion, full-figure studies, action poses • Typical result: Detailed character (60-80 words) • Why no environment? Allows you to add character to any scene later ⚡ Random ActionWhat it does: Dynamic scenes with movement and drama • Includes: Character, Pose & Mood (2 prompts, dynamic motion), Clothing, Props, Environment, Atmosphere, Lighting, Style • Focus: Dynamic Motion subcategory for Pose & Mood • Excludes: Static elements (Textures, Output Format, Color Palette) • Best for: Action shots, sports, adventure scenes, cinematic moments • Typical result: Energetic, movement-focused prompts (120-150 words) 🏞️ Random LandscapeWhat it does: Environment-focused, no characters • Includes: Environment, Atmosphere, Lighting, Style, Camera, Color Palette • Excludes: Character, Pose & Mood, Clothing & Props • Best for: Backgrounds, landscapes, architectural shots, mood pieces • Typical result: Atmospheric scenes (70-100 words) • Example: Environment: mystical library interior Lighting: dappled light through leaves Style: warm watercolor style, documentary photography realistic --- Using Quick Presets: 1. Click Smart Random button (✨) in header 2. Select a preset from the Quick Presets section 3. Click Generate 4. New random prompts appear in Final Prompt panel 5. Not happy? Click Generate again for different results 6. Like it? Copy and use in your AI tool Tips: • Try each preset multiple times - results vary widely • Lock specific prompts before generating to keep favorites • Add custom text - it's preserved during generation • Use Portrait for faces, Full Body for characters, Landscape for scenes • Random (All) creates most detailed prompts but takes longer to generate Keyboard Shortcut: Shift + R opens Smart Random modal

Smart Random: Custom Configuration

Custom Configuration gives you precise control over Smart Random generation. Build your own presets tailored to your exact workflow. Access: Smart Random modal → Switch to Custom Configuration tab --- Per-Category Configuration For each of the 12 categories, you can: 1. Enable/Disable Categories • Toggle checkbox to include or exclude entire category • Disabled categories won't generate any prompts • Use to focus generation (e.g., only Style + Lighting) 2. Selection Mode (two options): Mode A: "All" (Simplest) • Randomly select from ALL subcategories in category • Set one total count (e.g., "5 prompts from Character") • System randomly distributes across all subcategories • Fast setup, maximum variety Mode B: "Specific Subcategories" (Precise) • Choose exactly which subcategories to use • Set count for each subcategory individually • Example for Character: - Human Types: 2 prompts - Fantasy & Sci-Fi: 1 prompt - Animals: 0 prompts (excluded) • Full control, repeatable results 3. Subcategory Selection • Browse all available subcategories for that category • Multiple subcategories can be selected • Recently-used subcategories appear at top • Search within subcategories 4. Count Controls • Set how many prompts to select from each subcategory • Range: 0-10 (typically 1-3 is ideal) • Higher counts = longer, more detailed prompts • Lower counts = cleaner, more focused prompts --- Example: Building a Custom "Fantasy Portrait" Preset Goal: Generate fantasy character headshots Configuration: 1. Character - Enable - Mode: Specific Subcategories - Select "Fantasy & Sci-Fi" subcategory: 2 prompts 2. Pose & Mood - Enable - Mode: All - Count: 2 prompts 3. Lighting - Enable - Mode: All - Count: 1 prompt 4. Style - Enable - Mode: Specific Subcategories - Select "Digital & Rendering": 1 prompt 5. All others - Disable Result: Generates character-focused fantasy portraits with artistic style --- Advanced Features Groups and Subcategory Organization: • Categories have Groups (e.g., "Human Types" group in Character) • Groups contain related Subcategories • Collapse/expand groups to navigate easily • Search within groups for large categories Recent Subcategories: • System tracks your recently-used subcategories • Appear at top of subcategory list • Speeds up repeated configurations Subcategory Search: • Each category has search box • Filters subcategories in real-time • Useful for large categories like Character or Style --- Saved User Presets Save Your Configuration: 1. Set up your custom configuration 2. Click Save Preset 3. Name it (e.g., "Fantasy Portraits", "Product Photography") 4. Preset saved to your account Load Saved Preset: 1. Click My Saved Presets dropdown 2. Select preset name 3. Configuration applied instantly 4. Click Generate Manage Presets:Edit: Load preset, modify, save with same name (overwrites) • Delete: Click trash icon next to preset name • Duplicate: Load preset, modify, save with new name Preset Use Cases:Client Workflows: "Client A Style", "Corporate Headshots" • Project Types: "Children's Book Characters", "Product Photography" • Personal Favorites: "My Go-To Portrait", "Quick Landscapes" • Experimentation: "Style Study", "Lighting Practice" --- How Generation Works (Technical) When you click Generate: 1. For each enabled category: - Fetches all prompts from database for that category - If "All" mode: Randomly selects specified count from all prompts - If "Specific Subcategories" mode: - Filters prompts by selected subcategories - For each subcategory, randomly selects specified count - Uses copy-and-splice algorithm to ensure no duplicates 2. Assembles selections: - Combines prompts using category order (Character → Pose & Mood → Environment → Style → etc.) - Inserts commas between prompts - Preserves any custom text you've typed - Respects locked prompts (doesn't replace them) 3. Updates Final Prompt panel 4. Saves to history for undo/redo --- Pro Tips Start Simple: • Begin with Quick Presets • Gradually move to custom as you learn • Don't enable all categories at once (results get muddy) Focused is Better: • 3-5 enabled categories creates best results • More categories = longer prompts, harder to control • Focus on what matters for your image Iterate Configuration: • Generate with config → Adjust → Generate again • Fine-tune counts based on results • Save multiple variations of similar configs Subcategory Strategy: • Use "All" mode for exploration and variety • Use "Specific Subcategories" for consistent style • Mix both: All for some categories, Specific for others Count Guidelines: • 1 prompt per category: Clean, minimal • 2-3 prompts: Detailed, specific • 4+ prompts: Very detailed, risk of overcomplexity • Adjust based on AI tool (some handle long prompts better) Save Often: • Save any config you might reuse • Better to have too many presets than too few • Name clearly: "Portraits - Realistic" not "Preset 1" --- Example Configurations "Minimalist Portrait" • Character: All, 1 prompt • Style: All, 1 prompt • Everything else: Disabled • Result: Ultra-clean character prompts "Detailed Fantasy Scene" • Character: Fantasy & Sci-Fi subcategory, 2 prompts • Pose & Mood: All, 2 prompts • Environment: All, 1 prompt • Lighting: All, 1 prompt • Atmosphere: All, 1 prompt • Style: Digital & Rendering, 1 prompt • Result: Rich fantasy scenes "Product Photography" • Props: All, 1 prompt (the product) • Lighting: All, 2 prompts • Style: Photography Styles, 1 prompt • Color Palette: All, 1 prompt • Everything else: Disabled • Result: Professional product shots

Smart Random: Locking & Custom Text

Smart Random becomes exponentially more powerful when combined with locking and custom text. Master these techniques for precise creative control. --- Locking Prompts What is Locking? • "Freezes" specific prompts so Smart Random won't change them • Locked prompts stay selected during generation • Unlocked prompts get randomized • Allows iterative refinement How to Lock: 1. Select prompts you want to keep 2. Click lock icon (🔒) next to each prompt in Final Prompt panel 3. Locked prompts show lock icon 4. Click again to unlock Bulk Locking:Lock All: Click Lock All button in Quick Actions Bar (desktop only) • Unlock All: Click Unlock All button when prompts are locked • Keyboard: L to lock/unlock selected prompt --- Locking Strategies Strategy 1: Character Lock Goal: Keep same character, explore different scenes 1. Generate random character (or select manually: "elderly wizard with long beard") 2. Lock the Character prompts 3. Run Smart Random with Landscape preset 4. Character stays, environment changes each time Use case: "Show this wizard in different settings" Strategy 2: Style Lock Goal: Maintain consistent art style, vary content 1. Select and lock Style prompts (e.g., "warm watercolor style") 2. Run Smart Random with Random (All) preset 3. Style stays, everything else randomizes Use case: "Generate multiple images in same watercolor style" Strategy 3: Iterative Refinement Goal: Build perfect prompt step-by-step 1. Generate with Random (All) 2. Review result 3. Lock the 2-3 prompts you like 4. Generate again 5. Lock more good results 6. Repeat until only perfect prompts remain Use case: General exploration with gradual refinement Strategy 4: One-Category Focus Goal: Test variations of one specific element 1. Manually select Character, Environment, Style 2. Lock all of them 3. Unlock only Lighting category 4. Generate repeatedly to see different lighting on same scene Use case: "How does lighting change this character's mood?" Strategy 5: Lock All Except One Goal: Perfect prompt, but one element is wrong 1. Generate prompt you almost love 2. Lock everything 3. Unlock the one category you want to change 4. Generate until that category is perfect Use case: "Love this prompt but the style is wrong" --- Custom Text Preservation What is Custom Text? • Any text you manually type in the Final Prompt panel • Could be specific details, modifications, or additions • ALWAYS preserved during Smart Random generation How It Works: 1. Build prompt with Smart Random OR manually 2. Click in Final Prompt panel 3. Type your custom additions 4. Run Smart Random 5. Generated prompts appear, your custom text stays Example: Before Smart Random: [wearing a mysterious purple cloak with gold embroidery] [holding an ancient leather-bound spellbook] After Smart Random (Random Portrait): Character: curious scientist with goggles [wearing a mysterious purple cloak with gold embroidery] Pose & Mood: head tilted slightly to the right, gentle smile with soft eyes [holding an ancient leather-bound spellbook] Lighting: evening golden time Your custom text is perfectly preserved and integrated! --- Custom Text Strategies Strategy 1: Specific Details • Add details not in database • Example: "[with bright blue eyes and freckles]" • Smart Random builds around your specifics Strategy 2: Modifiers • Enhance generated prompts • Example: "[dramatic pose]", "[extreme close-up]" • Adds emphasis without changing core prompts Strategy 3: Bracketed Placeholders • Use brackets to identify your text: [custom detail] • Easy to see what you added vs what was generated • Helpful when iterating Strategy 4: AI Tool Parameters • Add tool-specific syntax • Midjourney: "[prompt] --ar 16:9 --style raw" • Stable Diffusion: "(emphasis:1.2)" • Smart Random won't touch it Strategy 5: Sequential Additions • Generate → Add custom → Generate → Add more custom • Build complex prompts layer by layer • Custom text accumulates, generated parts randomize --- Combining Locking + Custom Text The Power Combo: 1. Generate base prompt 2. Lock prompts you like 3. Add custom text for specifics not in database 4. Generate again (locked + custom stay) 5. Lock more good results 6. Repeat until perfect Example Workflow: "Magical Library Portrait" 1. Generate: Random Portrait - Result: Character: curious scientist with goggles Pose & Mood: head tilted Lighting: evening golden time 2. Lock character: "curious scientist" stays 3. Add custom: "[surrounded by floating magical books] [wearing a purple wizard hat]" 4. Generate again: Different pose/lighting, but character and your custom stay - Result: Character: curious scientist with goggles [surrounded by floating magical books] [wearing a purple wizard hat] Pose & Mood: eyes wide with wonder Lighting: backlit silhouette effect 5. Lock good elements: Lock the new pose and lighting 6. Generate again: Everything locked or custom stays, only unlocked parts change Final result: Perfect prompt combining database prompts (curated) + your specifics (custom) + iterative refinement (locking) --- Pro Tips Locking: • Don't over-lock - leave at least 2-3 categories unlocked • Lock early - easier to unlock later than remember what to lock • Use Lock All → Selectively Unlock for inverse workflow • Locked prompts stay even if you switch presets Custom Text: • Use brackets [] to clearly mark your additions • Test with and without to see impact • Custom text adds words - be mindful of total prompt length • More specific = better AI results, but less randomization Combination: • Custom text for specifics, locking for good generations, randomization for variety • This three-way combo is the most powerful workflow • Save configurations with lock states in custom presets • Experiment - every workflow is different Troubleshooting: • If locked prompts disappear: You may have clicked Clear All (bypasses locks) • If custom text disappears: Report bug immediately (should NEVER happen) • If generation seems identical: Check if too much is locked • If results are chaotic: Lock more to constrain randomization

Organizing with Tags

Tags are labels you create to organize and categorize your prompts. They work across all categories, letting you build your own organization system. Add a tag to a prompt: 1. Find a prompt in any category 2. Click the tag icon (🏷️) 3. Select existing tag or create new one 4. Tag is applied immediately Filter by tags: 1. Click "Filter by Tags" button 2. Select one or more tags 3. Choose filter mode: • AND - Show prompts with ALL selected tags • OR - Show prompts with ANY selected tag 4. View filtered results Tag strategies: • By project: "Client A", "Personal" • By style: "Realistic", "Anime", "Abstract" • By subject: "Portraits", "Landscapes" • By quality: "Best", "Experimental" Keyboard Shortcut: T to open tag dialog

Bulk Tagging

Apply tags to multiple prompts at once: 1. Switch to "Manage Tags" mode (toggle at top) 2. Select multiple prompts (checkboxes appear) 3. Click "Add Tags" 4. Apply tags to all selected prompts at once 5. Switch back to "Build Prompt" mode Tag Management: Rename a tag: 1. Go to Tags settings (gear icon) 2. Find tag to rename 3. Click edit, type new name 4. All prompts with that tag updated automatically Delete a tag: 1. Go to Tags settings 2. Find tag to delete 3. Click delete (🗑️) 4. Confirm deletion Merge tags: 1. Go to Tags settings 2. Select tags to merge 3. Choose which name to keep 4. All prompts consolidated under one tag

Search Functionality

Quick search: • Press Cmd/Ctrl + K or click Search • Type keywords • Searches across all categories • Instant results Advanced search: • Click "Filters" button • Combine search with category filters • Filter by tags, favorites, recency • Save complex searches Search tips: • Search within tagged prompts by filtering by tag first • Combine search with category selection • Use quotation marks for exact phrases • Save frequently-used searches as filter collections Keyboard Shortcut: Cmd/Ctrl + K

Filter Collections

Save complex filter configurations for instant recall: 1. Set up filters (category, tags, favorites, search) 2. Click "Save Filters" 3. Name the collection 4. Load anytime for instant filtering Use cases: • "Fantasy Characters Only" • "Landscape Components" • "My Favorite Styles" • "Recent Work" • "Client A Approved Portraits" Example: Filter by tags: "Realistic" AND "Portraits" AND "Client A" AND "Approved" + Category: Character + Status: Favorited = Save as "Client A Approved Portraits" Load in one click whenever you need it!

Sharing Prompts to Library

Share your best prompts with the community! To share a prompt: 1. Create and refine your prompt 2. Click "Share to Library" button 3. Choose sharing options: • Share with your name (credit) • Share anonymously 4. Add optional description 5. Confirm and publish Your shared prompts: • Appear in the Public Library • Other users can import and use them • You get credit (unless anonymous) • Can be removed anytime from your profile Importing from Library: 1. Browse the Public Library 2. Find interesting prompts 3. Click "Import" or "Use This" 4. Prompt added to your selections 5. Customize as needed Keyboard Shortcut: S to share

Using the Public Library

The Public Library contains prompts shared by the Picture Alchemy community. Browse the Library: • Click "Library" in the navigation • Browse by category • Sort by popularity, recent, likes • Search for specific styles or subjects Import prompts: 1. Find a prompt you like 2. Click "Import" or "Use This" 3. Prompt is added to your current selections 4. Customize and modify as needed 5. Your copy is independent of the original Like prompts: • Click the heart icon to like • Shows appreciation to creator • Helps surface best prompts • View your liked prompts in your profile Keyboard Shortcuts:Cmd/Ctrl + F - Search library • I - Import focused prompt • Like - Like focused prompt

Subscription Plans

What's included in the subscription? • Full access to 2,500+ prompt components • Smart Random generation • Cloud sync across devices • Public library access • Share unlimited prompts • Priority support • All future features Available Plans:5-Day Trial - Free trial period • Monthly - $9.99/month • Yearly - $79.99/year (save 33%) • 2-Year - $129.99/2 years (save 45%) Trial Information: • Trial lasts 5 days • Full feature access • No credit card required • After trial, subscription needed • Your data is preserved View current plan: [Profile Page](/profile) Subscribe: [Subscribe Page](/subscribe)

How Subscription Upgrades Work

When you upgrade from one subscription plan to another (for example, from Monthly to Yearly), we preserve all your remaining paid time and add it to your new subscription. Example: You have a Monthly subscription with 20 days remaining You upgrade to Yearly (365 days) Result: You get 365 + 20 = 385 days total This ensures you never lose any time you've already paid for. Why do I get charged before my subscription expires? When you upgrade, we: 1. Calculate how many days you have left on your current plan 2. Add those days to your new subscription period 3. Cancel your old subscription 4. Create a new subscription that starts TODAY Your renewal anniversary is set to the day you upgraded, but your access continues for the full duration including your carryover days. Downgrading: • Your remaining days are preserved • Future renewals use new (lower) plan pricing • We recommend waiting until current period ends to avoid complexity • Warning modal appears before downgrade with remaining time info See: [Subscription Billing Help](/help#subscription-billing)

Understanding Subscription Billing

Renewal Date vs Expiration Date After upgrading, you may notice two different dates: 1. Renewal Date (Billing Date): When your card will be charged 2. Expiration Date (Access End Date): When your subscription actually expires This is normal and expected! Example Timeline: December 8, 2025 - Upgrade Day • You had 20 days remaining on your Monthly plan • You upgrade to Yearly ($79.99) • Your expiration date becomes: December 28, 2026 (365 + 20 days) December 8, 2026 - First Renewal • Your card is charged $79.99 • You still have 20 days remaining until December 28, 2026 • Your new expiration date: December 28, 2027 Key Points: ✅ Upgrading preserves all your remaining paid time ✅ You never lose money when changing plans ✅ Renewals happen on your subscription anniversary ✅ You keep access until expiration even after cancelling ✅ No hidden fees or surprise charges Check your status: [Profile Page](/profile)

Cancelling Your Subscription

To cancel your subscription: 1. Go to your [Profile Page](/profile) 2. Find the Subscription section 3. Click "Cancel Subscription" 4. Confirm cancellation in the modal What happens after cancelling? • Subscription status changes to "Cancelled" • You keep full access until your expiration date • No future renewals will occur • No refund for remaining time (but you keep access!) • Your data is preserved for 1 year Example: Today: Cancel subscription (20 days remaining) → Access: YES (until expiration) → Status: Cancelled → Renewal: OFF Day 20: Subscription expires → Access: NO → Status: Expired → Can reactivate anytime Reactivating: • Subscribe again from [Subscribe Page](/subscribe) • All your data is restored • No penalty for reactivating Questions? Email: support@picturealchemy.com

Account Deletion & Data

To delete your account: 1. Go to [Profile Page](/profile) 2. Scroll to bottom 3. Click "Delete Account" 4. Confirm deletion (this is permanent!) What gets deleted: • Your account and login credentials • All your saved prompts and favorites • Your presets and filter collections • Your tags and organization • Your usage history • Shared prompts (if any) What happens: • Deletion is immediate and permanent • Cannot be undone • All data is erased from our servers • Active subscription is cancelled • No refund for remaining time Data Retention Policy: Expired subscriptions: • Data preserved for 1 year • Reactivate anytime to restore access • After 1 year, data is automatically deleted Privacy: • Your personal prompts are private • Only shared prompts are public • We never sell your data • See [Privacy Policy](/privacy) for details

Prompt Length Guidelines

Optimal prompt length for most AI tools: 50-150 words Too short (<30 words): • May lack sufficient detail • AI fills in gaps unpredictably • Less control over result • Use for simple, minimalist images Sweet spot (50-150 words): • Enough detail for control • Not overwhelming for AI • Best results across all tools • Recommended for most use cases Too long (>200 words): • AI may ignore parts • Conflicting instructions • Diminishing returns • Hard to manage Tips: • Picture Alchemy shows word/character count • Start simple, add detail as needed • Each category adds 10-30 words typically • Quality > quantity • Test and iterate Platform-specific: • Midjourney: Focuses on first 60 words most • DALL-E: Handles longer prompts well • Stable Diffusion: Varies by model

Composition Tips

Start broad, get specific: 1. Character/Subject first 2. Environment/Setting 3. Lighting/Atmosphere 4. Style last (biggest visual impact) Layer details: • Each category adds depth • Build complexity gradually • Don't overwhelm with too many elements • 3-5 well-chosen prompts > 15 random ones Common Workflows: Quick Portrait: 1. Character → Pose & Mood → Environment 2. Add Lighting if desired 3. Choose Style 4. Copy and generate Detailed Scene: 1. Environment → Atmosphere → Lighting 2. Character (if needed) 3. Props for detail 4. Camera angle 5. Style last Style Exploration: 1. Save base scene as preset 2. Lock all prompts except Style 3. Try different styles via Smart Random 4. Compare results Remember: • Less is often more • Every element should have a purpose • Test one change at a time to see its effect • Save successful combinations as presets

Platform-Specific Tips

Midjourney: • Works with natural language prompts • Add parameters after prompt: --ar 16:9, --v 6 • Focuses on first 60 words most • Good with artistic styles • Example: [Your Picture Alchemy prompt] --ar 16:9 --style raw DALL-E 3: • Excellent with natural language • Punctuation optional • Handles longer prompts well • Very literal interpretation • Example: Use Picture Alchemy prompt as-is Stable Diffusion: • May benefit from emphasis syntax: (keyword:1.2) • Comma-separated works well • Different models have different styles • Negative prompts helpful • Example: [Your prompt], (detailed:1.2), (high quality:1.1) Leonardo AI: • Natural language works well • Supports style presets • Good with specific art styles • Example: Use Picture Alchemy prompt, then select Leonardo style preset General Tips: • Test with your specific tool • Save tool-specific modifications as presets • Tag prompts by which tool works best • Experiment with tool-specific parameters

Workflow Strategies

Client Work: 1. Create preset for client's style requirements 2. Tag all client-related custom prompts 3. Use filter collection for quick access 4. Save successful prompts for reference 5. Export or screenshot for client approval Experimentation: 1. Tag experimental prompts "Test" 2. Try in AI tools 3. Re-tag successful ones: "Test" → "Approved" 4. Add style/subject tags 5. Delete failed experiments 6. Build library of proven prompts Style Development: 1. Tag prompts by intended style 2. Test various combinations 3. Note which work best together 4. Create presets from successful combinations 5. Build style guides with tagged prompts Rapid Prototyping: 1. Use Smart Random Full Body or Portrait mode 2. Generate 10 prompts rapidly (keep clicking) 3. Save interesting combinations as presets 4. Refine later manually 5. Test top 3-5 in your AI tool Power User Tips: • Create standard tag sets for common workflows • Use keyboard shortcuts for speed • Save frequently-used filter configurations • Build preset library organized by purpose • Review and clean up tags periodically

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with these keyboard shortcuts! Note: Cmd on Mac, Ctrl on Windows/Linux Global Shortcuts:Cmd/Ctrl + K - Open search • Cmd/Ctrl + / - Open help center • ? - Show shortcuts cheat sheet • Esc - Close modal/dialog Prompt Building:Cmd/Ctrl + C - Copy final prompt to clipboard • Shift + R - Open Smart Random • Cmd/Ctrl + Z - Undo last selection • Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z - Redo selection • Cmd/Ctrl + D - Deselect all prompts Quick Actions Bar:Shift + R - Open Smart Random modal • Cmd/Ctrl + C - Copy prompt (then use Copy & New button) • Cmd/Ctrl + Z - Undo last selection • Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z - Redo selection • L - Lock/Unlock selected prompt Prompt Management:L - Lock/Unlock selected prompt • F - Add to favorites (star) • T - Open tag dialog • S - Share to library • P - Save as preset Navigation:Tab - Navigate between elements • Shift + Tab - Navigate backwards • Enter - Confirm/Select focused item • Space - Toggle selection of focused prompt Press ? anywhere in the app to display a quick reference!

Login & Authentication Issues

Can't Login - "Invalid Credentials" Solution: 1. Verify your email address is correct 2. Try password reset: [Reset Password](/forgot-password) 3. Check if email was verified (check spam folder) 4. Clear browser cache and cookies Verification Email Not Received Solution: 1. Check spam/junk folder 2. Add noreply@picturealchemy.com to contacts 3. Wait 5 minutes (emails can be delayed) 4. Request new verification email from login page 5. Contact support if still not received Account Locked Reason: Too many failed login attempts (security feature) Solution: Wait 30 minutes or reset your password Still having issues? Contact: support@picturealchemy.com

Payment & Subscription Issues

Payment Completed But No Access Solution: 1. Wait 2-3 minutes for webhook processing 2. Refresh the page and try logging in again 3. Check Gumroad receipt email 4. Contact support with your Gumroad order number Subscription Shows Wrong Plan Solution: 1. Go to Profile page to view actual plan 2. If incorrect after upgrade, contact support 3. Include Gumroad order number for verification Cancel Subscription Not Working Solution: 1. Ensure you're logged in 2. Try from Profile page instead 3. Clear cache and retry 4. Contact support for manual cancellation Payment Failed What happens: • Subscription status becomes "Expired" • You'll receive an email notification • Your access is suspended • Can reactivate by updating payment and subscribing again Contact Support: support@picturealchemy.com

Prompt Building Issues

Prompts Not Copying to Clipboard Solution: 1. Browser may be blocking clipboard access 2. Allow clipboard permissions for picturealchemy.com 3. Manually select and copy (Cmd/Ctrl+C) 4. Try a different browser Custom Text Disappears Issue: This shouldn't happen - custom text is preserved Solution: 1. Report this as a bug (support@picturealchemy.com) 2. Save your prompt as a preset before randomizing 3. Check if you accidentally cleared all Smart Random Not Working Solution: 1. Check that at least one category is selected 2. Ensure browser JavaScript is enabled 3. Try refreshing the page 4. Check browser console for errors (F12) Categories Not Loading Solution: 1. Check internet connection 2. Refresh the page (Cmd/Ctrl+R) 3. Clear browser cache 4. Try incognito/private mode 5. Check if site is down: [Health Check](/api/health/check)

Mobile Issues

Panels Not Showing on Mobile Solution: 1. Use the toggle buttons at the bottom: • 📁 Categories - Browse prompts • 📝 Final Prompt - View result 2. Only one panel shows at a time on mobile 3. Tap anywhere outside to close panel Can't Scroll on Mobile Solution: 1. Ensure you're not touching a fixed element 2. Try two-finger scroll 3. Rotate device and back 4. Refresh the page Keyboard Covering Form Inputs Solution: 1. Zoom out browser view 2. Scroll up after keyboard appears 3. Use landscape orientation for forms Buttons Too Small to Tap Note: All interactive elements are 44x44px minimum (WCAG standard) If still having issues: 1. Update your browser 2. Try landscape orientation 3. Zoom in slightly 4. Report specific element to support

Performance Issues

Site Loading Slowly Solution: 1. Check your internet connection 2. Clear browser cache 3. Disable browser extensions temporarily 4. Try a different browser 5. Check if issue persists on mobile data Dashboard Freezing Solution: 1. Close other browser tabs 2. Refresh the page 3. Clear browser cache and reload 4. Check CPU usage (close other apps) 5. Try incognito mode Browser Compatibility Recommended Browsers: • Chrome/Edge 90+ • Firefox 88+ • Safari 14+ Known Issues: • Internet Explorer: Not supported • Old mobile browsers: May have display issues • Private browsing: Some features limited Check Site Status: [Health Check](/api/health/check) Still slow? Contact: support@picturealchemy.com with: • Your browser and version • Device type • Specific pages/actions that are slow • Screenshot if helpful

General FAQ

Do I need to know how to write prompts? No! That's the point of Picture Alchemy. We provide expertly crafted prompt components - you just select what you want. Can I add my own text to prompts? Yes! Type directly in the Final Prompt panel. Your custom text is preserved even when you randomize other parts. Can I use these prompts commercially? Yes! Your generated prompts are yours to use however you want, including commercially. Check your AI tool's terms for image usage rights. Do you guarantee image results? No. Picture Alchemy provides prompts, but the actual image generation depends on the AI tool you use. Results vary by tool, settings, and updates to AI models. Is my data private? Yes. Your personal prompts, favorites, and settings are private. Only prompts you explicitly share to the Library are public. Do you sell my data? No. Never. We only use your data to provide the service. See our [Privacy Policy](/privacy) for details.

Contact Support

Need Help? Email Support: support@picturealchemy.com Response Time: Within 24 hours on weekdays Include in your email: • Your account email (if account-related) • What you were trying to do • What happened instead • Browser and device information • Screenshot if possible • Any error messages Before contacting: 1. Check this Help Center 2. Check [Troubleshooting](/help#troubleshooting) 3. Check [FAQ](/help#faq) 4. Try [Health Check](/api/health/check) For billing/subscription issues: • Include your Gumroad order number • Specify your account email • Describe the issue in detail We're here to help! 🎨

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