# Quick Setup Guide to FLUX for High-Quality AI Image Generation

### Introduction to FLUX

* `FLUX` is a new **text2img** model family released in August 2024. The developer, `Black Forest Labs`, was founded by former members of **Stability AI**, known for **Stable Diffusion**. They are a group of experts with extensive know-how in the field of generative imaging. What made **FLUX** famous is the quality of the generated images. According to their self-published benchmarking results, it outperformed **Midjourney-V6.0** and **SD3-Ultra**, and the community response has been extremely positive. [\[Related Link\]](https://blackforestlabs.ai/announcing-black-forest-labs/)
    
* This post summarizes how to create high-quality generative images in a local environment, especially with VRAM sizes below 10GB, using the open-source model `FLUX.1 [dev]`.
    

### Requirements

* Machine: `Windows 11` + GPU with VRAM 6GB MIN
    
* Package Manager: `Stability Matrix`
    
* Package: `Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge`
    
* Model: `FLUX.1 [dev]` (**bnb-nf4-v2** Version)
    
* VAE: `ae.safetensors`
    
* Text Encoder: `ViT-L-14-TEXT-detail-improved-hiT-GmP-TE-only-HF.safetensors`, `t5xxl_fp16.safetensors`
    
* Upscaler: `4xFFHQDAT.pth`
    

### Installing Stability Matrix

* Download and install the appropriate file for your operating system from [this link](https://github.com/LykosAI/StabilityMatrix).
    

### Installing Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge

* Run `Stability Matrix` and install `Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge` following these steps:
    

```bash
Launch Stability Matrix
→ [Packages]
→ [Add Package]
→ [Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge]
→ [Install]
```

### Installing FLUX.1 \[dev\] Model

* `FLUX.1 [dev]` is an open-source model free for non-commercial use, with generated results available for commercial use. The **NF4** version is recommended, optimized for memory usage and execution speed, usable with a minimum of **6GB VRAM**.
    
* Download the **flux1-dev-bnb-nf4-v2.safetensors** file from [this link](https://huggingface.co/lllyasviel/flux1-dev-bnb-nf4/tree/main) and save it in the **Data/Models/StableDiffusion** directory under your **Stability Matrix** installation directory.
    

### Installing VAE

* Download the **ae.safetensors** file from [this link](https://huggingface.co/black-forest-labs/FLUX.1-dev/tree/main) and save it in the **Data/Models/VAE** directory under your **Stability Matrix** installation directory.
    

### Installing Text Encoder

* Download the **ViT-L-14-TEXT-detail-improved-hiT-GmP-TE-only-HF.safetensors** file from [this link](https://huggingface.co/zer0int/CLIP-GmP-ViT-L-14/tree/main) and save it in the **Data/Models/CLIP** directory under your **Stability Matrix** installation directory.
    

### Installing Upscaler

* Download the **4xFFHQDAT.pth** file from [this link](https://openmodeldb.info/models/4x-FFHQDAT) and save it in the **Data/Models/ESRGAN** directory under your **Stability Matrix** installation directory.
    

### Running Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge

* All preparations for image generation are complete. Launch `Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge` following these steps:
    

```bash
Launch Stability Matrix
→ [Packages]
→ [Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge]
→ [Launch]
```

* Once the web interface launches in your browser, apply the following settings for optimal image generation:
    

```bash
Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge web interface
→ UI: [flux]
→ Checkpoint: [flux1-dev-bnb-nf4-v2.safetensors]
→ VAE / Text Encoder: [ae.safetensors], [ViT-L-14-TEXT-detail-improved-hiT-GmP-TE-only-HF.safetensor], [t5xxl_fp16.safetensors]
→ Diffusion in Low Bits: [Automatic (fp16 LoRA)]
→ Sampling method: [[Forge] Flux Realistic]
→ Schedule type: [Beta]
→ Sampling steps: 20
→ Hires. fix: [Check]
→ Upscaler: [4xFFHQDAT]
→ Denosising strength: 0.35
→ Width: 512
→ Height: 512
→ Distilled CFG Scale: 2
→ CFG Scale: 1
→ PerturbedAttentionGuidance Integrated: Check [Enabled] → Scale: 3
```

* Now, enter the following example prompt and click the **Generate** button to create an image:
    

```bash
nukacola on the table, "nukacola", fallout, closed shot, nuclear radioactive color, realistic
```

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1727073026626/4b0a4249-5138-4c1e-893d-0ec71a0260ce.png align="center")

### Impressions of Using FLUX
  * With the above settings, I tested dozens of images using an RTX 3080 10GB. I used up to three **LoRA**s, and it took around 1 minute and 45 seconds for a 512x768 resolution image. The quality of the output at 512x512 or 512x768 resolutions is excellent, almost indistinguishable from real photographs. However, **FLUX**'s true potential is unleashed at resolutions of 768x768 and above. It showcases a different level of detail, but at 768x1152 resolution, it takes about an hour to generate an image, making the process quite slow and requiring considerable patience.

### Converting Output Images to 3D Assets
  * Converting 2D images generated by **FLUX** into 3D can be useful for various purposes such as game development and 3D printing. While the industry is still in its early stages, the Chinese company **Tripo** is currently leading the field. Using their paid model `Tripo AI v2.0`, you can easily convert 2D images created with **FLUX** into 3D assets. The generated 3D assets can be saved as **GLB** files, which can then be viewed using the **3D Viewer** on **Windows 11**. [[Site Link]](https://www.tripo3d.ai/app)

### Reference Links

* [FLUX.1](https://blackforestlabs.ai/)
    
* [Quickstart Guide to Flux.1](https://education.civitai.com/quickstart-guide-to-flux-1/)
    
* [How to run Flux AI with low VRAM](https://stable-diffusion-art.com/flux-forge/)
    
* [Lazy FLUX.1d Starter Guide by Makina69](https://civitai.com/articles/7029)