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Create and Use References

References are saved visual inputs that guide Riverflow when generating or editing assets.

Written by Erika

Use References when you want Riverflow to pay attention to a specific visual detail, such as size, colour, pose, style, texture, layout, or composition. A reference is usually narrower than a scene and more specific than a general style rule.

References are a critical component of making the most of Riverflow's enhanced AI powers. Riverflow 2.5 can handle a large number of references which lets you get highly accurate close-ups for a difficult shots.

What References Are For

A reference helps Riverflow understand one clear visual idea.

Use a reference when you want to guide:

  • the relative size or scale of something

  • a colour or finish

  • a pose or body position

  • a texture or material detail

  • a lighting or styling cue

  • the overall visual treatment of a campaign image

  • a layout or composition pattern

References are guidance. They are not always copied exactly. If you need to make a very specific change to an existing image, use Editor. If you need to apply the same specific change at scale, use Batch.

Reference Types

Riverflow supports these reference types:

  • Size

  • Color

  • Pose

  • Style

  • Texture

  • Other

Choose the type that best describes what the image should guide.

If one image contains several different ideas, decide what matters most. For example, a model photo might show a useful pose, a useful outfit texture, and a useful background style. If you care about the pose, save it as a Pose reference and write guidance about the pose. Do not expect Riverflow to infer every possible detail from one image.

Before You Create A Reference

Choose an image that clearly shows the detail you care about.

A good reference image usually has:

  • one clear subject or idea

  • enough resolution to see the relevant detail

  • limited visual clutter

  • a visible example of the thing you want Riverflow to follow

  • no conflicting cues that might confuse the output

If the reference is for texture, choose a close image where the material is easy to see. If the reference is for pose, choose an image where the body position is clear. If the reference is for colour, avoid images where lighting makes the colour ambiguous.

For best results, create reference sheets: simple image grids that give Riverflow several clear examples of the specific detail you want it to follow, such as texture, pose, colour, or composition.

Example of a texture reference sheet:

Create A Reference

  1. Open References.

  2. Select Create reference.

  3. Add a clear title.

  4. Choose the reference type.

  5. Select or upload one image.

  6. Add prompt guidance explaining what Riverflow should use from the image.

  7. If available for the selected type, use Extract reference guidance to draft the guidance.

  8. Review and edit the guidance.

  9. Save the reference.

You can choose images from supported asset areas such as uploads, product images, generated images, folders, and photoshoot outputs. You can also upload a new image where supported.

Write Good Reference Guidance

The guidance should tell Riverflow what to pay attention to and what not to copy.

Good guidance:

Use this reference for the matte ceramic texture and soft off-white colour. Do not copy the exact object shape, background, or composition.

Another example:

Use this reference for the seated pose and relaxed hand position. Keep the product accurate and adapt the wardrobe, background, and lighting to the selected scene.

Weak guidance:

Make it like this.

Weak guidance is too vague. It does not explain whether Riverflow should copy the pose, colour, texture, lighting, layout, or overall mood.

Use A Reference In Photoshoots

  1. Open Photoshoots.

  2. Choose your product, scene, style, or prompt.

  3. Add the saved reference where references are supported.

  4. Write a prompt that explains how the reference should influence the result.

  5. Generate.

  6. Review the output against the detail the reference was meant to guide.

Creative placeholder: Photoshoots setup with selected references.

Example prompt:

Use the selected texture reference for the soft brushed metal finish on the display stand. Keep the product packaging accurate and use the selected scene for the background mood and composition.

References Vs Scenes, Styles, Products, And Characters

Use these inputs together, but give each one a clear job.

  • References guide a specific visual detail.

  • Scenes guide the environment, composition, lighting, camera angle, surface, and surrounding world.

  • Styles guide the overall visual treatment or campaign art direction.

  • Products preserve commercial objects or SKUs.

  • Characters preserve a recurring person, animal, model, or mascot.

Review The Result

After generation, check whether Riverflow followed the intended reference detail without copying the wrong things.

Look for:

  • the correct referenced detail appearing in the output

  • no unwanted copy of background objects, people, text, logos, or layout

  • product accuracy preserved

  • scene and style still matching the brief

  • no conflict between the reference and the prompt

If the output followed the wrong part of the image, edit the reference guidance to be more explicit and generate again.

Tips

  • Use one reference per clear idea where possible.

  • Name references so they are easy to find later.

  • Keep reference guidance short but specific.

  • Avoid mixing several unrelated instructions into one reference.

  • Use Editor for precise edits to one existing image.

  • Use Batch when the same reference-led workflow needs to run across many assets or SKUs.

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