How To Use Runway Gen-4 References | ImagineArt

Runway Gen-4 References is a game-changing feature that gives you much more control over AI-generated visuals by letting you use up to three reference images instead of relying on text alone. Each image becomes a distinct visual instruction the model follows through entity-level encoding, so the AI can recreate details like characters, environments, and artistic styles more consistently across multiple generations. This guide shows you how to choose and label reference images, build a reusable reference library, keep characters and scenes consistent, and combine or transfer styles — all in simple steps to help you get better, faster, and more predictable results.

How To Set Up Reference Images in Runway Gen-4

The way you assign each reference image in Runway Gen-4 is crucial to getting the best results. Here’s a simple guide to help you organize your references:

Primary Subject Reference

runaway refrence 1 (2).webp This is the image that represents your main character or object. It’s the focus of your scene or the element you want to emphasize. This reference sets the tone for everything else.

Style or Environment Reference

ruaway refrence 2.webp Use this image to define the atmosphere, lighting, or environment in which your subject will exist. Whether it’s a lush forest or an urban cityscape, this image will help guide the overall mood.

Supporting Details Reference

ruaway refrence 3.webp This can include props, accessories, or additional perspectives that help round out the scene. Whether it’s a side angle or a detailed close-up of an object, this reference ensures the finer details are preserved.

For best results, use high-resolution images (at least 1024×1024 pixels). Your subjects should be clearly lit and captured from a clean, unobstructed angle. The better the quality of your reference images, the better the AI will be able to understand and replicate the visual details.

Creating A Runway Reference Library For Faster Workflows

Imagine having all your favorite references organized and ready to go at any moment. You can develop a reference library to streamline your workflow and avoid reinventing the wheel with each project. Here’s how to build it:

• Categorize Your References: Keep things organized by project, subject, or style to make finding the right reference quick and easy.
• Use Templates: Create consistent reference templates for common subjects and environments. This helps you maintain a uniform style across multiple projects.
• Version Control: Keep track of reference versions. This ensures that you're always working with the latest and greatest visual cues.

Having a solid reference library will save you a ton of time and effort in the long run, especially when working on multiple AI generations.

How To Keep Characters Consistent In Runway Gen-4

One of the standout features of Runway Gen-4 is its ability to maintain character consistency across generations. This is perfect for when you're building a story or working on a series of scenes featuring the same character. Here's how to keep things consistent:

• Facial Features: Ensure the AI keeps the character’s facial structure, expressions, and unique features intact.
• Body Proportions: Whether the character is standing, sitting, or moving, you can keep their body proportions accurate, even when changing poses.
• Outfit Details: No more mismatched clothing! The AI ensures your character’s outfit is consistent across multiple generations.
• Identity Persistence: Your character will retain their identity, no matter what scenario or environment you place them in.

For best results, try to provide reference images showing the character from multiple angles and with clear, distinct features. This will help the AI understand how to maintain their look no matter the context.

Advanced Character Reference Techniques In Runway Gen-4

Sometimes, you’ll need to dig a little deeper to achieve perfection. Here are some advanced techniques to take your character preservation to the next level:

• Explicitly Call Out Features: Let the AI know what to focus on. For example, if your character has a distinctive feature like a scar or hairstyle, mention it in the prompt. Example: “Maintain the character’s red hair and square jawline from image 1.”
• Multiple Characters: If you're working with more than one character, be sure to provide separate references for each. Position them accordingly in your prompts, so each character has its own space.
• Character Interactions: Consider how characters will interact with each other and their environment. This ensures the relationships between characters stay visually consistent across scenes.

How To Transfer Art Styles Using Runway Gen-4 References

Want to make your AI-generated content pop with a unique style? Runway Gen-4’s ability to transfer art styles from reference images is a powerful tool. Here’s how you can do it:

• Extract Artistic Styles: Whether it’s a painting style or a photography style, Runway Gen-4 can extract the unique artistic elements from your reference image.
• Maintain Color Palettes: Keep the same color tones across different generations for a consistent look.
• Preserve Lighting and Texture: Lighting plays a huge role in setting the mood. With this feature, you can preserve lighting characteristics and textures across generations.

This feature works wonders if you’re trying to match the art direction of a specific artist or genre. For example, if you want to create a scene that feels like it was painted by Van Gogh, just upload a reference image of his work and let Runway Gen-4 work its magic.

How To Combine Multiple Art Styles In Runway Gen-4 References

If you’re feeling creative and want to experiment with blending different styles, Runway Gen-4 has you covered. Here’s how you can manipulate multiple styles at once:

• Style Blending: Mix and match different styles from multiple references. For instance, take a modern art style from one reference and a vintage vibe from another.
• Selective Style Application: Apply specific style elements from one reference while leaving others intact. Want the brushwork from one image and the color palette from another? No problem!

Style Intensity: Adjust the intensity of the styles you apply by manipulating the reference’s weighting. A heavier weight on one reference will make that style more dominant. For example, you might want the brushstrokes of an impressionist painting combined with the moody lighting from a noir film. Just balance your references and adjust the prompt as needed.

Creating Consistent Environments In Runway Gen-4 References

Consistency isn’t just for characters and objects—it’s crucial for environments too. Runway Gen-4 uses the Scene Consistency entity to maintain the integrity of the environment:

• Location and Architecture: Whether you’re working with a cityscape or a rural farm, the AI will keep architectural details consistent across generations.
• Natural Features: Mountains, forests, and other natural elements won’t randomly shift or distort.
• Lighting and Time of Day: Time-of-day consistency ensures your lighting remains realistic, whether it's sunrise, midday, or sunset.

For environments, it’s best to use wide-angle reference images to capture the full scope of the setting. The more context you provide, the more accurate the AI can be when recreating the environment.

How To Write Effective Prompts With Runway Gen-4 References

Writing prompts that work seamlessly with references is an art. Here are some tips for making your prompts more effective:

• Be Specific: Use clear, directional language like “preserve,” “adapt,” or “maintain.” Be specific about which elements you want the AI to keep from each reference.
• Balance Text and Visuals: Strike a balance between your written instructions and the visual reference. Too much emphasis on one over the other can confuse the AI.
• Reference Priorities: If you’re using multiple references, prioritize which one the AI should pay more attention to.
• Use Negative Prompting: If you want to exclude something from a reference, make sure to call it out in the prompt.

A well-written prompt combined with strong reference images will help you get exactly what you want from the AI.

To Wrap Up

All-in-all, Runway Gen-4 References gives you powerful control over your AI visuals by allowing you to anchor your generations to up to three clear reference images. When you pair high-quality references with precise prompts, the model delivers consistent characters, believable environments, and smooth style transfers—faster and with fewer surprises.

So, ready to create? Try Runway Gen-4 References on ImagineArt along with many other top image generation models like Imagen 4, Ideogram Character, Seedream 3.0 now.