AI Effects transform photos after they are captured using custom prompts. You can use them to turn guests into cartoons, apply glam-style retouching, or create cinematic scenes
Participant Experience
Pre-Capture: If you have multiple layouts enabled, participants can choose which one to use. If you have generated AI previews, they will be able to see an example of the output before taking their photo.
Capture: The participant takes their photo normally.
Guest Inputs (Optional): If Guest Inputs are enabled, they answer those prompts.
Processing: A processing screen appears while the AI generates the image.
Regeneration: If enabled, the guest can generate a new version (within your set limit).
Edit/Share: The guest proceeds to the final editing or sharing screen.
Creating an AI Effect
Open the AI Effects page.
AI Effects can also be created directly in the Layout Designer's Inspector settings.
Select the + button to create a new effect, or browse the library of premade public effects.
Choose your prompt method:
Automated: Enter a description or upload an image to have a detailed prompt written for you.
Manual: Toggle prompt generation off to write your own prompts from scratch on the next step.
Save your Effect, then customize the remainder of the settings, described below.
After saving, you must save the effect to a layout to apply it to photos for an event.
Managing Your Effects
From your AI Effects library, you can perform the following actions:
Rename: Update the display name of your effect.
Make a copy: Duplicate an effect to use as a starting point for a new design.
Favorite: Star effects to easily find them in your library later.
Delete: Permanently remove an effect from your account.
Effect Settings & Model
After saving your effect, use these settings control the overall behavior, style, and credit cost of the transformation.
Model & Credit Usage
The AI model affects the style and credit cost. These are the general settings that control how the effect behaves.
Model | Credits Per Generation |
Nano Banana Fastest model, individual participants. | 1x |
Nano Banana 2 Balance of speed and quality, for groups up to 5 people. | 2x |
Nano Banana Pro Slower, best quality, for groups up to 5 people. | 3x |
Allowing Guest Regenerations
Enable this to let participants try again if they aren't satisfied with the first result. You can set a specific limit on regenerations to manage your credit usage.
A Cost per Layout section is displayed below the effects settings that updates as you adjust your settings, showing:
Credits used per layout
The maximum possible credits per session (including regeneration attempts)
Style & Preservation
Quick Style: Apply a preset style such as Cinematic, Studio Portrait, Black & White, or others.
Subject Preservation: Use the toggles for number of subjects, poses, and expressions to control how much of the original photo remains intact.
Touch-up Appearances: Automatically enhances features for a polished "glam" look.
Writing Prompts
Prompt Settings control exactly how the AI transforms the image.
Write your prompt: Be specific and descriptive (up to 10,000 characters). You can use the Expand Prompt tool to add more detail.
Add guest inputs (Optional): Guest Inputs allow participants to influence how their photo is generated.
Test your prompt: Select or upload a test image from your device or our library.
Use a single subject for Nano Banana; use group photos for Nano Banana 2 or Pro.
Generate Thumbnail: Select Test Prompt to see how the AI interprets your text.
Refine & Save: Adjust your description if the thumbnail differs from your desired output, then save your settings.
You can upload a new thumbnail image at any time.
Plan Availability
| Use Public Effects Including guest inputs | Write Custom Prompts | Write Custom Guest Inputs |
Core | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Plus | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Pro & Select | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |