Midjourney cref, oref, and Turnaround Sheets

cref vs. oref Comparison

Recommended --ow Range for Character Consistency

Multi-Character Workaround

Midjourney doesn't natively support multiple character references in one image. Here's the workaround:

1. Generate each character separately with their own --cref or --oref.
2. Generate a scene with one character using --cref.
3. Use Vary Region to select the area where the second character should appear.
4. In the region prompt, describe the second character.
5. Optionally, use the second character's reference image in the Vary Region prompt.
6. Repeat for additional characters.

This isn't perfect — blending seams and style consistency can be challenging. For reliable multi-character scenes, consider Gemini's multi-image reference approach.

SOUL ID Workflow

Midjourney's SOUL ID system is designed for persistent character identity.

4-Step Process

1. Create a SOUL ID — Generate a strong, clear portrait of your character. Upscale the best result. This becomes your SOUL reference.
2. Save the reference — Keep the image URL or save locally. This is your character's "source of truth."
3. Use in new scenes — Reference the SOUL ID image with --cref [url] --cw 100 (or --oref [url] --ow 300+ in V7) in every subsequent prompt featuring this character.
4. Build a reference library — Generate your character in multiple angles, expressions, and lighting conditions. More references = more consistent results.

Built-in Presets

Midjourney includes built-in character presets for testing and experimentation:

• --cref random — generates a random but consistent character seed
• --cref [shared community IDs] — community-shared character profiles
• SOUL ID codes can be shared between users for collaborative projects
• Presets work best as starting points — customize with your own descriptions

Turnaround Sheet Workflow

A turnaround sheet shows a character from multiple angles in a single image, essential for maintaining consistency.

Turnaround Sheet Prompt Formula

[character description], character turnaround sheet, multiple views,
front view, 3/4 view, side view, back view, white background,
consistent character design, reference sheet, concept art,
full body, [style/medium]

Example

A 35-year-old Korean woman with shoulder-length black hair, sharp
cheekbones, wearing a tailored charcoal wool blazer over a white
silk blouse and black trousers,

character turnaround sheet, multiple views, front view, three-quarter
view, side profile, back view, clean white background, consistent
character design across all views, reference sheet style,

full body, shot on Hasselblad, soft even studio lighting --ar 16:9
--s 50 --style raw

Usage Pipeline

1. Generate the turnaround sheet — Use the formula above. Regenerate until you get clean, consistent views.
2. Upscale and save — This is your master reference.
3. Extract individual views — Crop individual views from the sheet if needed for specific angle references.
4. Use as cref/oref — Reference the turnaround sheet (or cropped views) in all subsequent character prompts.
5. Generate scene images — Write your scene prompts and attach the character reference. Start with --cw 100 or --ow 200 and adjust.
6. Maintain a character bible — Store all reference images, turnaround sheets, and the prompts that generated them. This becomes your character's production bible.

Exercise

Character Consistency Challenge

1. Design a character with specific physical features, hair, and a signature outfit. Write a detailed description.
2. Generate a turnaround sheet using the formula above. Iterate until the views are consistent.
3. Using your turnaround sheet as a --cref (V6) or --oref (V7), generate your character in 5 completely different settings:
   • An office environment
   • Walking on a city street at night
   • Sitting in a cafe
   • Outdoor portrait in a park
   • Close-up dramatic portrait with studio lighting
4. Evaluate: Is it clearly the same character in all 5? What breaks consistency? What maintains it?
5. Create a second character and attempt the multi-character workaround to place both in a single scene.