Comprehensive Guide of Illustrious XL
Illustrious XL is a anime focused base model built on SDXL model by OnomaAI. It uses Danbooru database (until 2023) as dataset and Danbooru tags creates syntax structure of model. First model was released at November 2024 as v0.1 but it had certain limitations about prompting freedom and general quality of outputs. OnomaAI continued to improve and train Illustrious XL base model and released brand new versions of Illustrious XL model. The update included 2 models. Version 1.0 for global release and exclusive version 1.1 for TensorArt. This article will cover all the details of new Illustrious XL versions and their usage tips for users.Illustrious XL v1.0: https://tensor.art/models/828830887698374324/Illustrious-XL-v1.0-v1.0Illustrious XL v1.1: https://tensor.art/models/828880417261278861/Illustrious-XL-v1.1-TensorArt-ExclusiveImprovements of Illustrious XL v1.0Model performs better with higher resolutions. It's the first SDXL model that supports 1536x1536 resolution for standart generations. Usually SDXL resolution is limited to 1024x1024 as standart. Illustrious XL can handle high resolutions to create more detailed and clean outputs while other model's generations usually end up with deformed results without hiresfix.Illustrious XL not only increased standart resolutions but also supports wide range of resolutions 512x512 to 1536x1536. It can also successfully create 1248x1824 like resolutions without any high resolution modification. Different resolutions yields to significantly different results.Despite it takes Danbooru database as dataset, Illustrious XL models aims to support natural language prompts now. Users still can use only Danbooru tags for prompting but now with model's improved prompt understanding skills and flexible syntax that allows both tags and natural language prompts, users have more freedom over their compositions. This feature makes model easier to use for general users.Illustrious XL has excellent compatibility with additional image generation tools, which makes model perfect for ComfyUI users who create their workflows and push limits of image generation with their experiments.Model has flexible and refined dataset which makes it perfect for checkpoint and LoRA trainings. It can easily adapt to any anime style while semi-realism like styles takes time to implement.Old Illustrious v0.1 was not enough to use as generation model but current v1.0 and v1.1 can be used as generation models. Results are worth to see especially with custom LoRAs trained by community.Differences of Illustrious XL v1.1 (TensorArt Exclusive)Model has more refined dataset which makes it better for LoRA trainings.Better at understanding natural language prompts.Creates more appealing compositions overall.Model has better contrast and color adjustments.Performs better with high resolution renders.More flexible about style. This version is recommended for style LoRA trainings.Recommended Settings For Illustrious XLSampling Steps: 20-28It can be increased up to 40, recommended only for long complex prompts.CFG: 3-7Lower CFG value can create smoother renders. If you want to generate spesific result with certain details, prefer 4.5-5 CFG.Sampler: Euler aIllustrious XL can work with many samplers but Euler a is recommended in general.ClipSkip must be set on 2.Compatibility With LoRAsIllustrious XL is highly flexible and can work with any style, character LoRAs made for it and its lower versions. All images are generated with same settings to show effects of LoRAs.Prompting Tips For Illustrious XLUse Danbooru tags mainly and natural language prompts as support. Model is still better with tags due to it's dataset. Basic phrases with tags are good way to prompt for model. For example, `glowing eyes` is a tag but it can be used in a phrase to create spesific situation as `glowing eyes under hair`Quality tags are better in front of prompt while composition modifiers are better at the end of prompts.Subject tags (human/anthro) are always better with value to specify number of subject. For example `1girl, 2female, 2boys` etc.Different subjects can be created with `focus` keyword. For example, `vehicle focus, animal focus` etc.Illustrious models are very sensitive to negative prompts unlike the Pony models. Using keywords at negative for improving quality and accuracy is highly effective. Results can be significantly better especially at higher resolutions. It's highly recommended to use tags and certain quality modifier keywords in negative prompts.Example PromptsIllustrious XL v1.0Illustrious XL v1.1Positive Prompt: masterpiece, best quality, amazing quality, solo, 1girl, upper body, red hair, short hair, ahoge, goggles on head, adjusting eyewear, yellow eyes, smile, (upper teeth only), looking at viewer, open mouth, puff of air, crop top, large breasts, ((sagging breasts, bent over)), cleavage, black gloves, black top, outdoors, amazing background, highres, (depth of field), bokeh, diffused light, sunshine, sunbeam, extremely detailed background, extremely detailed foregroundNegative Prompt: worst quality, low quality, bad quality, bad details, oldest, very displeasing, displeasing, explicit, nsfw, bad anatomy, artistic error, lowres, bad hands, multiple views, by bad artist, jpeg artifacts, anatomical nonsense, bad perspective, bad proportions, bad reflection, ugly, poorly drawn face, deformed eyes, deformed handsIllustrious XL v1.0Illustrious XL v1.1Positive Prompt: masterpiece, best quality, amazing quality, solo, 1girl, portrait, from side, hand focus, floating hair, very long hair, white hair, blue eyes, :3, white dress, medium breasts, outstretched arms, spread arms, looking at viewer, wind, autumn leaves, flating leaves, falling leaves, depth of field, (bokeh:1.3), dim lighting, soft shadows, (chiaroscuro:1.2), muted colors, highres, film grain, (ligne claire:1.3)Negative Prompt: worst quality, low quality, bad quality, bad details, oldest, very displeasing, displeasing, explicit, nsfw, bad anatomy, artistic error, lowres, bad hands, multiple views, by bad artist, jpeg artifacts, anatomical nonsense, bad perspective, bad proportions, bad reflection, ugly, poorly drawn face, deformed eyes, deformed handsIllustrious XL v1.0Illustrious XL v1.1Positive Prompt: masterpiece, best quality, amazing quality, solo, unknown creature, skeleton, portrait, from side, skull face, (flaming skull, covered with flame), ((blue fire)), long hair, black hair, sharp teeth, fangs, magical essence, cloak, (looking up), (screaming:1.2), burning forest, forest background, burning background, darkness, (chiaroscuro:1.3), glowing flame, deep shadows, fantasy, absurdres, surreal, official art, (horror \(theme\):1.2)Negative Prompt: worst quality, low quality, bad quality, bad details, oldest, very displeasing, displeasing, explicit, nsfw, artistic error, lowres, multiple views, by bad artist, jpeg artifacts, bad perspective, bad proportions, bad reflection, 1girl, 1boy