Getting Started with AI Image Generation: Creating Images Using DALL·E / Flux APIs

2026-06-14·6 min read·231 views

Want to generate a beautiful image with just one sentence? AI image generation technology can already do this. Through the Ciyuanq API, you can call mainstream image models like DALL·E 3 and Flux to turn text descriptions into high-quality images. This article will guide you step by step from scratch on using the image generation API.

What is AI Image Generation

AI image generation (Text-to-Image) is a technology that automatically generates images based on text descriptions. You only need to describe the desired scene in natural language, and the AI can generate a corresponding image in seconds.

The core principles of this technology:

Text Understanding: The AI parses your description, extracting key information (subject, style, composition, etc.)
Image Synthesis: Based on the understood content, it progressively "restores" a complete image from noise
Quality Optimization: Through multiple iterations, it produces a finished product with rich details and excellent visual effects

Image Generation API Workflow

Choosing the Right Model

Ciyuanq offers a variety of image generation models, each with its own characteristics:

Model Comparison

Selection suggestions:

Beginners: Start with DALL·E 3, stable results, high prompt tolerance
Cost-effective: Flux offers fast generation and low price, suitable for batch use
Specific styles: Flux performs better in anime and illustration styles
Need text: DALL·E 3 has stronger capability for rendering text in images

Detailed Steps

Step 1: Get an API Key

Click the "Create Key" button
Enter a key name (e.g., "Image Generation Test")
Copy the generated key, format: sk-relay-xxxxxxxxxx

Security Reminder: The key is only shown once, please save it securely. It is recommended to store the key in an environment variable and not hardcode it in your code.

Step 2: Send a Request with curl

Open your terminal and execute the following command to generate an image:

curl -X POST https://www.ciyuano.com/v1/images/generations   -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-relay-YOUR_API_KEY"   -H "Content-Type: application/json"   -d '{
    "model": "dall-e-3",
    "prompt": "a cute cat sitting on a windowsill, watching sunset, watercolor style",
    "n": 1,
    "size": "1024x1024"
  }'

Parameter description:

Parameter	Description	Available Values
`model`	Model to use	dall-e-3, flux
`prompt`	Image description (English works better)	Any text description
`n`	Number of images to generate	1-4
`size`	Image size	1024x1024, 1792x1024, 1024x1792

After successful execution, the API will return a JSON response containing the URL of the generated image. Open that URL in a browser to view and download the image.

Step 3: Call with Python

If you prefer coding, Python is the simplest way:

import requests
import json

url = "https://www.ciyuano.com/v1/images/generations"
headers = {
    "Authorization": "Bearer sk-relay-YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}
data = {
    "model": "dall-e-3",
    "prompt": "a cozy coffee shop interior, warm lighting, illustration style",
    "n": 1,
    "size": "1024x1024"
}

response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=data)
result = response.json()

# Get image URL
image_url = result["data"][0]["url"]
print(f"Image generated: {image_url}")

# Download image to local
img_response = requests.get(image_url)
with open("generated.png", "wb") as f:
    f.write(img_response.content)
print("Image saved: generated.png")

Step 4: Optimize Your Prompt

The quality of your prompt directly determines the generated image's effect. Here are some key points for writing a good prompt:

Structure of a Good Prompt

[Subject] + [Scene] + [Style] + [Lighting] + [Composition] + [Color Tone]

Comparison examples:

Prompt	Result
"cat"	Random cat image, quality uncontrollable
"a fluffy orange tabby cat sitting on a wooden windowsill, golden hour sunlight, soft focus background, warm tones, cozy atmosphere"	Rich details, finely composed cat image

Prompt Writing Tips

1. Write Prompts in English

Current mainstream image models have stronger understanding of English. If you need images with Chinese content, first conceptualize in Chinese, then translate to English.

2. Specify Artistic Style

Common style keywords:

Realistic: photorealistic, cinematic, 8k, detailed
Illustration: illustration, watercolor, oil painting, digital art
Anime: anime style, manga, Studio Ghibli style
Design: flat design, minimalist, geometric, poster

3. Describe Lighting and Atmosphere

Lighting greatly affects the image result:

golden hour — warm sunset light
soft diffused light — soft diffused lighting
dramatic lighting — dramatic light and shadows
neon lights — neon lighting

4. Control Image Composition

close-up — close-up shot
wide angle — wide angle
bird's eye view — top-down view
symmetrical — symmetrical composition

Batch Image Generation

If you need to generate images in batches, you can use a simple Python script:

import requests
import time

prompts = [
    "a modern office desk with laptop, minimalist style",
    "a tropical beach at sunset, vibrant colors",
    "a futuristic city skyline at night, cyberpunk style",
    "a cozy reading nook with books, warm lighting"
]

for i, prompt in enumerate(prompts):
    response = requests.post(
        "https://www.ciyuano.com/v1/images/generations",
        headers={"Authorization": "Bearer sk-relay-YOUR_API_KEY"},
        json={"model": "flux", "prompt": prompt, "n": 1, "size": "1024x1024"}
    )
    url = response.json()["data"][0]["url"]
    
    img = requests.get(url)
    with open(f"image_{i+1}.png", "wb") as f:
        f.write(img.content)
    
    print(f"[{i+1}/4] Generated: image_{i+1}.png")
    time.sleep(2)  # Control request frequency

Practical Use Cases

Generate custom images for articles and social media posts, which are more distinctive than stock photos and free from copyright issues.

Product Prototype Design

In early product design stages, use AI to generate concept images and wireframes to quickly validate design directions and save designer communication costs.

E-commerce Product Images

Generate product display images, scene images, or replace backgrounds for existing product images to enhance visual appeal on product pages.

Educational and Training Materials

Generate illustrations and diagrams for courseware and training materials to make content more vivid and understandable.

Common Issues

Issue	Solution
Generated image does not match description	Optimize the prompt, add more detailed descriptions
429 error returned	Too many requests, increase request interval or upgrade plan
Text in image is deformed	Try using the DALL·E 3 model, which has better text rendering
Slow generation speed	Flux is faster than DALL·E 3; reduce image resolution
Cost exceeds expectations	Use Flux model instead, which is cheaper; control the number of generations

Summary

With the Ciyuanq Image Generation API, you can generate high-quality images with just one sentence. The entire process requires only three steps:

Get an API key
Send an HTTP POST request with the image description
Get the generated image URL and download it for use

Core Suggestions:

Writing a good prompt is key; the more detailed, the better the result
Choose the appropriate model based on your needs
Control request frequency when generating in batches
English prompts usually yield better results than Chinese

Next Steps: Try generating images of the same subject with different prompts and models to compare results. Then integrate image generation capabilities into your application to create richer visual experiences for your users.

View Full API Documentation · Browse All Models

← Back to Blog

Getting Started with AI Image Generation: Creating Images Using DALL·E / Flux APIs

What is AI Image Generation

Choosing the Right Model

Detailed Steps

Step 1: Get an API Key

Step 2: Send a Request with curl

Step 3: Call with Python

Step 4: Optimize Your Prompt

Prompt Writing Tips

1. Write Prompts in English

2. Specify Artistic Style

3. Describe Lighting and Atmosphere

4. Control Image Composition

Batch Image Generation

Practical Use Cases

Product Prototype Design

E-commerce Product Images

Educational and Training Materials

Common Issues

Summary

Related Articles

AI Speech to Text: Beginner's Guide to Convert Voice to Text in 3 Steps

AI Local Deployment Guide: Run Large Models in 3 Steps for Free

AI Shopping Decision Guide: From Price Comparison to Avoiding Pitfalls

What is AI Image Generation

Choosing the Right Model

Detailed Steps

Step 1: Get an API Key

Step 2: Send a Request with curl

Step 3: Call with Python

Step 4: Optimize Your Prompt

Prompt Writing Tips

1. Write Prompts in English

2. Specify Artistic Style

3. Describe Lighting and Atmosphere

4. Control Image Composition

Batch Image Generation

Practical Use Cases

Social Media Images

Product Prototype Design

E-commerce Product Images

Educational and Training Materials

Common Issues

Summary

Related Articles

AI Speech to Text: Beginner's Guide to Convert Voice to Text in 3 Steps

AI Local Deployment Guide: Run Large Models in 3 Steps for Free

AI Shopping Decision Guide: From Price Comparison to Avoiding Pitfalls