Image Generation / DALL·E

Convert prompts between platforms, explaining what changes and why — cross-model porting intelligence.
Difficulty: Advanced
Model: GPT-4 / Claude / Gemini
Use Case: Multi-Platform Workflow, Model Switching
Updated: May 2026
Why This Prompt Exists
A prompt that works perfectly in Midjourney produces garbage in DALL·E — and vice versa. The syntax, parameter names, and interpretation styles are completely different.

You get:

  • DALL·E prompts that Midjourney ignores (wrong parameter syntax)
  • Midjourney prompts that DALL·E misinterprets (no weight syntax)
  • no understanding of what needs to change when switching models
  • wasted credits testing incompatible prompts
  • inability to leverage both platforms’ strengths

But translation is systematic:

  • parameter mapping: –ar (MJ) → size (DE)
  • weight syntax: ::2 (MJ) → descriptive emphasis (DE)
  • style control: –sref (MJ) → style keywords (DE)
  • negative prompts: –no (MJ) → “without” descriptions (DE)
  • text rendering: MJ poor → DE better (adjust expectations)

Without translation, you can’t use both tools effectively.

This prompt converts prompts between DALL·E and Midjourney.

The Prompt
Assume the role of a cross-platform prompt engineer who translates between models.

Your task is to convert prompts between DALL·E and Midjourney formats.

Generate:

1. SOURCE PROMPT
   - Platform: [MIDJOURNEY / DALL·E]
   - Full prompt: [paste]
   - Parameters used: [list]

2. TRANSLATION MAPPING

| MJ Component | DE Equivalent | Translation Rule |
|--------------|---------------|------------------|
| --ar 16:9 | size=1792x1024 | Aspect ratio to pixel dimensions |
| --ar 9:16 | size=1024x1792 | |
| --c 50 | No direct equivalent | Use descriptive variation requests |
| --s 500 | style=vivid + HD | Stylize to vivid style |
| --no text | "without text" description | Negative to positive phrasing |
| word::2 | "important word" emphasis | Weight to descriptive emphasis |
| --sref | No equivalent | Describe style in words |
| --seed | --seed (same syntax) | Works identically |

3. CONVERTED PROMPTS

**Midjourney → DALL·E**

`[subject description], [style keywords], [lighting], [color palette] --size [X]x[Y] --style [vivid/natural] --quality [standard/hd]`

**DALL·E → Midjourney**

`[subject description] --ar [X:Y] --s [value] --style [raw/creative] --no [negative terms]`

4. STRENGTH-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS

| Task | Best Platform | Reason |
|------|---------------|--------|
| Text rendering | DALL·E | Significantly better at readable text |
| Photorealistic | Midjourney | Better lighting, texture, composition |
| Stylized illustration | Both | Different aesthetics, try both |
| Character consistency | Midjourney | Has --cref (DALL·E lacks) |
| Style reference | Midjourney | Has --sref (DALL·E lacks) |
| Inpainting/editing | DALL·E | Native editor, easier workflow |
| Fast iteration | DALL·E | Faster generations, lower cost |

5. TRANSLATION EXAMPLES

**Example 1: MJ → DE**

MJ: `cyberpunk city at night --ar 16:9 --s 500 --no text`

DE: `Cyberpunk city at night, neon lights, rain on streets, without any text or signs, dramatic lighting, vibrant colors --size 1792x1024 --style vivid --quality hd`

**Example 2: DE → MJ**

DE: `A cozy coffee shop interior, warm lighting, wooden tables, steam rising from cups --size 1024x1024 --style natural`

MJ: `A cozy coffee shop interior, warm lighting, wooden tables, steam rising from cups --ar 1:1 --s 200 --style raw`

6. PLATFORM-SPECIFIC NOTES

**When translating TO DALL·E:**
- Remove :: weight syntax (not supported)
- Convert aspect ratios to pixel dimensions
- Move negative prompts to positive "without" descriptions
- Add specific style keywords (vivid/natural)

**When translating TO Midjourney:**
- Add --ar (default 1:1 if not specified)
- Add --s 200-500 for stylization
- Add --style raw for photorealism
- Convert descriptive emphasis to :: weight syntax

INPUTS:

Source platform:
[MIDJOURNEY / DALL·E]

Target platform:
[MIDJOURNEY / DALL·E]

Original prompt:
[PASTE THE PROMPT TO TRANSLATE]

Intended use case:
[E.G., "Text-heavy infographic" or "Fantasy character art"]

RULES:
- DALL·E has no direct equivalent for --c (chaos) or --sref (style reference)
- Midjourney has no direct equivalent for DALL·E's inpainting/outpainting
- Text rendering: always prefer DALL·E for text-heavy prompts
- Photorealism: always prefer Midjourney for product shots, portraits
- Test translated prompts on 2-3 variations before production
- Keep a translation log for reuse (common conversions)
- Some prompts cannot be perfectly translated; adjust expectations
How To Use It
  • DALL·E has no direct equivalent for –c (chaos) or –sref (style reference) — describe these in words instead.
  • Midjourney has no direct equivalent for DALL·E’s native inpainting/outpainting — use external tools.
  • Text rendering: always prefer DALL·E for text-heavy prompts (logos, signs, book covers).
  • Photorealism: always prefer Midjourney for product shots, portraits, realistic scenes.
  • Test translated prompts on 2-3 variations before production.
  • Keep a translation log for reuse — common conversions save time.
  • Some prompts cannot be perfectly translated; adjust expectations accordingly.
Example Input

Source platform:
“MIDJOURNEY”

Target platform:
“DALL·E”

Original prompt:
`fantasy warrior with glowing sword –ar 16:9 –s 600 –no helmet`

Intended use case:
“Character art for a game banner”

Why It Works
Most users treat DALL·E and Midjourney as interchangeable — then get frustrated when prompts don’t transfer. They are not interchangeable.

This framework improves outcomes by forcing:

  • parameter mapping (what translates directly vs. what needs transformation)
  • strength-based recommendations (which tool for which task)
  • translation examples (concrete before/after comparisons)
  • platform-specific notes (what to add, remove, or adjust)
  • expectation management (what can’t be perfectly translated)

Failure modes this prevents:

  • DALL·E ignoring Midjourney parameters (wrong syntax)
  • Midjourney misinterpreting DALL·E weight syntax (not supported)
  • Text rendering in Midjourney (poor results)
  • Photorealism in DALL·E (often less convincing)

This improves on: “Same prompt, different tool” guessing. Systematic translation produces usable results on both platforms.

Related to: MJ-01 (Midjourney Parameters), DE-01 (DALL·E Parameters) for reference.

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See also  Inpainting / Outpainting Designer