How to Create Custom Images with Runway Gen-4 Image References

Master Consistency: How to Use Gen-4 Image References in Runway

Artificial intelligence image generation has traditionally struggled with a major creative hurdle: consistency. If you managed to generate a striking character, a unique monster, or a distinct artistic style, reproducing that exact look in a new setting, outfit, or pose felt like rolling dice.

Runway addresses this challenge head-on with Gen-4 Image References, a powerful feature hosted on the Runway Help Center (site.help.runwayml.com). By utilizing up to three reference images, this tool allows creators to lock down characters, maintain environmental continuity, and merge visual styles with unprecedented precision.

What Are Gen-4 Image References?

Gen-4 Image is Runway’s advanced base model built for high visual fidelity and granular stylistic control. The References feature expands on this capability by letting you feed visual blueprints directly into the generation engine.

Instead of relying purely on text descriptions—which can often misinterpret what a specific character or world looks like—you can input actual source imagery. The model analyzes the traits, objects, styles, or characters within those images and applies them to your new generation.

Key Capabilities:

• Character Consistency: Keep the same person, creature, or avatar looking identical across different locations, lighting conditions, and clothing changes.
• Style Transfer: Blend the artistic flair, color palettes, or thematic treatment of one image with the structure of another.
• Modular Scene Building: Combine components from multiple sources—such as merging an empty room from one reference with furniture pieces from others.

Step-by-Step Workflow: How to Use References

Navigating the feature inside Runway’s workspace is a straightforward process:

1. Access Tool Mode: Open Runway, navigate to the sidebar, select Tool, and open the Image tab.
2. Select the Model: Open the model dropdown menu at the bottom of the generation panel and select Gen-4 Image or Gen-4 Image Turbo.
3. Toggle References: Click the References icon to open the reference panel. You can drag and drop images directly into the canvas or select them from your saved Workspace Assets.
4. Label and Tag: Give your reference images clear names (you can use the @ symbol in your prompt box to quickly autocomplete reference names). Runway allows up to three active references simultaneously.
5. Prompt with Intention: Write a text prompt detailing how you want the references utilized. For multi-reference prompts, explicit labels like image_1 or specific reference names help the AI understand how to piece elements together.

Best Practices for Optimal Results

To get the cleanest, most professional outputs out of Gen-4 Image References, keep these tips from the official documentation in mind:

• Start with a “Blank Canvas”: For character consistency, use reference photos featuring even, natural lighting, neutral expressions, and simple backgrounds. This makes it much easier for the AI to extract the core subject without getting distracted by heavy shadows or complex environments.
• Keep Text Prompts Complementary: When using references, your text prompt doesn’t need to over-describe what is already visible in the image. Focus your text on what is changing—such as a new outfit, a different action, or a new background setting.
• Iterate Gradually: Don’t expect to jump from a basic headshot to a complex cinematic action sequence in a single leap. Build your assets progressively: generate a character, save the output as a new reference, place them in a stylized world, and continue iterating.

Bridging Images to Video

One of the most exciting workflows highlighted in Runway’s guides is what happens after your image is generated. Once you use Gen-4 References to nail the exact look, character, or scene you want, you don’t have to stop at static art.

Hovering over your completed generation reveals the Use action, which instantly ports your custom image right into Runway’s Generative Video tools. By pairing Gen-4 Image References with video motion controls, creators can seamlessly transition from a tightly controlled static concept straight into a dynamic, animated sequence.