Generating images

The Generate sidebar is the primary surface for creating and editing storyboard frame images in Boords. Open it from any frame to sketch a layout, prompt a new frame, edit part of an existing image, change the artwork style, or reframe the shot. Every generation is saved as a frame revision, so you can page back through the history at any time. See Frame revisions for how revisions work.

Reference images are the most powerful way to maintain consistency across your storyboard, letting you carry characters, locations, and visual elements from frame to frame. This guide covers how to use the Generate sidebar effectively, from basic prompts to advanced techniques.

The Generate sidebar

Open any frame and switch to the Generate tab in the sidebar. Generate has three sub-tabs:

• Canvas for sketch-to-frame composition, prompting a frame from scratch, and editing parts of an existing image.
• Camera for reframing the current image to a new angle, height, or distance.
• Restyle for changing the artwork style of the current image without rebuilding it.

This guide focuses on Canvas. See Styles & restyling for Restyle, and the Camera sub-tab section below for reframing.

Canvas

Canvas is the main generation surface. It works in three modes, switched by the Source picker at the top of the panel.

Brushing a layout

The Canvas toolbar gives you a brush, size and colour controls, and a prompt field. Block out the composition with rough shapes (stick figure for the actor, rectangle for the window, circle for the cup of coffee) and write a prompt describing what you want. The brush gives the AI a layout to follow.

Add a prompt like "woman in her thirties working at a sunlit desk, soft morning light from the left" and click Generate. The result keeps your composition while filling in the prompt's details. Iterate the prompt without losing the layout.

Editing an existing image

Set the Source to Current to edit the image already in the frame. Brush over the part you want to change, then prompt the change. Boords focuses the work on the brushed region and keeps everything outside it close to the original. The brush mark is a hint, not destructive. It's discarded after the request.

Useful examples:

• "Replace the man with a woman in a navy blazer."
• "Swap the coffee cup for a glass of water."
• "Remove the laptop from the desk."

The previous version is saved as a frame revision, so you can page back if the change doesn't land.

Camera reframe

The Camera sub-tab takes the current image and regenerates it from a different angle, height, or distance. Pick a preset and Boords renders the same shot from the new viewpoint. Use it when the composition is right but the camera position isn't.

Each reframe is saved as a frame revision, so you can compare angles side by side and revert if a take doesn't land.

Get consistent images

Reference images help maintain consistency across your storyboard. You can use existing frame images, generated assets, or your own uploaded files as references.

Important: The AI doesn't automatically remember previous frames. Writing "the same character" or "the location from frame 3" in your prompt won't work. You must attach the reference image for the AI to see it.

Using reference assets

Upload and use your own images as references, or use assets generated in the playground:

Using reference frames

Use existing storyboard frames as references:

Combining references

You can attach multiple reference images to combine elements:

• Add a character reference and a location reference
• Combine multiple character references for group scenes
• Mix assets and frames for maximum flexibility

Choosing a style

Pick a visual style that matches your project. Click the Style dropdown to see available options.

Each style produces distinctly different results. Preview the style thumbnails to find one that suits your needs. You can change styles at any time and regenerate images. Some styles also support a custom color palette for brand consistency.

Tip: Experiment with different styles early in your project to find the best match for your creative direction. See Styles & restyling for the full list and colour palette controls.

Writing effective prompts

The prompt describes what you want to see in your image. Good prompts are specific and descriptive.

Prompt basics

Note: Avoid phrases like "the same as before" or "from frame 5" in your prompts. The AI only sees what you attach as reference images. It doesn't have context about your other frames unless you explicitly attach them.

Using the "Show me" prefix

When working with reference images, start your prompt with "Show me" for better results:

The "Show me" prefix helps the AI understand you want to see the referenced content in a new context.

Important: When using reference images, remember to start your prompt with "Show me" for best results.

Camera angles and shot framing

When generating an image in Canvas without reference images attached, you can select a shot type to control the camera framing. Click the Shot type dropdown to choose from available options.

Note: The shot type selector is only available when no reference images are attached. When using references, specify your desired camera angle in the prompt instead (e.g., "Show me a close up of the character").

For reframing an existing image to a new angle, see the Camera reframe section above.

Restyle

The Restyle sub-tab changes the artwork style of the current image without rebuilding the scene. The layout, characters, and poses stay intact while the style swaps over.

See Styles & restyling for the full walkthrough.

Revisions

Every Canvas generation, Camera reframe, Restyle, drag-dropped local image, and inline grid generation creates a frame revision. Revisions survive reload, ride with the frame, and can be paged through, locked, or deleted. See Frame revisions for the full guide.

Image credits

The image generator uses a credit system:

You can generate as many preview variations as you like without using credits. Credits are only consumed when you choose to insert an image into your frame.

Note: Your monthly credit allowance depends on your plan. Pro gets 1,000/mo, Team gets 2,000/mo, and Agency gets 3,000/mo. See Billing & plans for details.

The inline grid generator

The storyboard grid also has a quick generator for first-pass populating frames. Use it when you want to fill a fresh storyboard fast, then refine individual frames from the Generate sidebar. Each grid generation saves as a frame revision, so any sketch, restyle, or edit you make later keeps the history.

Inline generator states

The generator input field changes color to indicate its current state and what type of generation will occur.

Prompt only (blue)

A blue outline indicates standard generation mode. Boords will create an image using your prompt text and selected style settings. This is the default state when no reference images are attached.

Reference attached (yellow)

A yellow background indicates that reference images are attached. Boords will use these references along with your prompt to generate an image that incorporates elements from your reference images.

Reference required (red)

A red background indicates a problem: you've attached a reference to another frame, but that frame doesn't have an image yet. You need to generate or upload an image to the referenced frame first, then return to continue.

Tab to autocomplete

When your frame has text content (like action or dialogue fields), press Tab in an empty prompt field to automatically generate a prompt based on that content.

This feature:

• Reads your frame's text fields
• Generates an appropriate image prompt
• Optionally finds a relevant reference image from your storyboard

Tip: Tab autocomplete is a fast way to generate images that match your script content.