How do I generate an image with AI?

Last verified 5 August 2026
Read time 2 min
Plans All plans
The short version

Open Canvas and choose Generate with Vai, then describe the image you want. Visualist creates a new image, saves it as a visible Library item, and identifies it there as AI-generated.

Generate with Vai creates a new image from a written description without requiring a source photo. It is one of the Magic tools inside the Canvas editor.

Generate an image

  1. Open Canvas. Open the design where you want the new image in Canvas.
  2. Choose Generate with Vai. Pick Generate with Vai from the toolbar.
  3. Describe what you want. Type a prompt describing the image you have in mind. The more specific you are about subject, style, and mood, the closer the result.
  4. Run it. Visualist generates a new image from your prompt and saves it in the Library. Drop it straight into your design, keep it, or download it.
Good to know

The generated image appears as a visible item in the Library. Open it there and its file header identifies the source as Generated by. Generate with Vai uses credits, which are included with every plan, and the Free plan includes a monthly allowance. Results can vary, so you can edit your prompt and run it again.

To generate from a base image such as a sketch or plan instead of words, see How do I turn an image into a render?.

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