Virtual Booth AI Effects transforms photos after they are captured. You can enter a custom prompt or choose one from our library of publicly available prompts.
Use AI effects to turn people into cartoons, apply a glam-style retouch, create cinematic looks (for example, a dramatic film scene effect), and more.
If you want guests to further personalize their results, you can enable Guest Input Settings to let them make choices that affect the final image.
AI Effects Use Account Credits
AI Effects are powered by account credits.
Credits are consumed when an AI image is generated in the HALO app or Virtual Booth.
In Virtual Booth, credits are also used when background replacement is enabled. Standard image uploads do not consume credits.
Testing and refining AI effect prompts does not use credits. Credits are only used when the AI effect is actively run during a live session.
For more information, including pricing, see the Account Credits article.
For usage information, refer to the article for the specific AI feature you’re using.
Participant Experience
When a participant takes a picture that has a Booth Mode AI Effect:
They take their photo normally.
If guest inputs are enabled, they answer those prompts.
A processing screen appears while the AI image generates.
If regeneration is enabled, they can generate a new version (within your set limit).
They can then continue editing or proceed to sharing
Note: Virtual Booth background replacement is incompatible with AI effects.
Select, Create, or Edit a Booth Mode AI Effect
Booth Mode AI Effects are managed from the dedicated AI Effects page in your settings. You can create your own, or choose from a library of prompts made by Simple Booth.
Open the AI Effects page.
Tap the + button to create a new effect, or select an existing effect to edit.
Configure the settings below.
Premade prompts can be edited.
Effect Settings
These are the general settings that control how the effect behaves.
Choose an AI Model
The model affects image style and output and determines how many credits are used per generated layout.
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 |
Allow Guest Regenerations (Optional)
If enabled, participants can regenerate their AI image if they don’t like the first result.
You can:
Turn regeneration on or off
Limit how many times a participant can regenerate
Below these settings, you’ll see a Cost per Layout section showing:
Credits used per layout
The maximum possible credits per session (including regeneration attempts)
This helps you estimate usage before your event.
Prompt Settings
Prompt Settings control how the AI transforms the image.
If you’re using a multi-frame layout, you will create a unique prompt for each frame.
Your first frame prompt is created by default. Use the + button to add prompts for additional frames.
For each prompt:
Select a style from the dropdown (examples: film noir, cartoon), or enter a custom style.
Choose whether to Preserve Poses.
On: Keeps subjects in their original pose.
Off: Allows AI to adjust poses to fit your prompt.
Choose whether to Touch Up Appearances, which smooths skin and minor blemishes.
Write your prompt. Be specific and descriptive, and see the AI prompt guide for tips.
Upload a test image.
Make sure subjects are clearly visible.
If using Nano Banana, upload a single-subject photo.
Group photos can be used with Nano Banana 2 or Nano Banana Pro.
Click Test Prompt to generate a preview.
Adjust your prompt as needed.
Recommended: Save the generated image as the effect preview so participants can see an example of what their photo will look like. You can replace the preview image with a new version anytime.
Save and close the prompt settings.
If using multiple frames, repeat these steps for each frame.
Guest Input Settings (Optional)
Guest Input allows participants to influence how their photo is generated.
For example, you could let them choose a theme, color, or enter custom text.
To add guest input:
Tap the + button in Guest Input Settings.
Select a prompt type:
Text — Participants enter their own response.
Picker — Participants choose from a predefined list.
Enter a prompt placeholder.
This is the variable name used inside your AI prompt (for example:favorite_color).Insert the variable name into your prompt description surrounded by double braces.
{{example}}
Enter the question participants will see.
Configure response options:
Text prompts: Add an example value (for example, “blue”) to guide responses.
Picker prompts: Add the selectable options (up to the allowed limit).
Save and close.
You can add multiple guest inputs if needed.
Plan Availability
Booth Mode Prompts
✅ Plus, Pro, Select
❌ Lite, Core
Guest Inputs
✅ Pro, Select
❌ Lite, Core, Plus