Generate Image

Generate and edit high-quality images using OpenRouter's image generation models including FLUX.2 Pro and Gemini 3 Pro.

When to Use This Skill

Use generate-image for:

• Photos and photorealistic images
• Artistic illustrations and artwork
• Concept art and visual concepts
• Visual assets for presentations or documents
• Image editing and modifications
• Any general-purpose image generation needs

Use scientific-schematics instead for:

• Flowcharts and process diagrams
• Circuit diagrams and electrical schematics
• Biological pathways and signaling cascades
• System architecture diagrams
• CONSORT diagrams and methodology flowcharts
• Any technical/schematic diagrams

Quick Start

Use the scripts/generate_image.py script to generate or edit images:

# Generate a new image
python scripts/generate_image.py "A beautiful sunset over mountains"

# Edit an existing image
python scripts/generate_image.py "Make the sky purple" --input photo.jpg

This generates/edits an image and saves it as generated_image.png in the current directory.

API Key Setup

CRITICAL: The script requires an OpenRouter API key. It resolves the key in this order: --api-key flag → OPENROUTER_API_KEY environment variable → .env file. If the user connected an OpenRouter key (openscience login or the dashboard), it is already exported into the environment and the script will pick it up automatically. If the user pastes their own key in chat, pass it inline: OPENROUTER_API_KEY="<key>" python scripts/generate_image.py "...".

If no key is found, inform the user they can:

• Connect OpenRouter via openscience login or at https://app.syntheticsciences.ai → Services
• Or set it for the run: export OPENROUTER_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
• Get an API key from: https://openrouter.ai/keys

Model Selection

Default model: google/gemini-3-pro-image (Nano Banana Pro, GA — high quality, recommended)

Available models for generation and editing:

• google/gemini-3-pro-image - Nano Banana Pro (GA), supports generation + editing
• google/gemini-3-pro-image-preview - Preview slug (retires 2026-06-25); use the GA slug above
• black-forest-labs/flux.2-pro - Fast, high quality, supports generation + editing

Generation only:

• black-forest-labs/flux.2-flex - Fast and cheap, but not as high quality as pro

Select based on:

• Quality: Use gemini-3-pro or flux.2-pro
• Editing: Use gemini-3-pro or flux.2-pro (both support image editing)
• Cost: Use flux.2-flex for generation only

Common Usage Patterns

Basic generation

python scripts/generate_image.py "Your prompt here"

Specify model

python scripts/generate_image.py "A cat in space" --model "black-forest-labs/flux.2-pro"

Custom output path

python scripts/generate_image.py "Abstract art" --output artwork.png

Edit an existing image

python scripts/generate_image.py "Make the background blue" --input photo.jpg

Edit with a specific model

python scripts/generate_image.py "Add sunglasses to the person" --input portrait.png --model "black-forest-labs/flux.2-pro"

Edit with custom output

python scripts/generate_image.py "Remove the text from the image" --input screenshot.png --output cleaned.png

Multiple images

Run the script multiple times with different prompts or output paths:

python scripts/generate_image.py "Image 1 description" --output image1.png
python scripts/generate_image.py "Image 2 description" --output image2.png

Script Parameters

• prompt (required): Text description of the image to generate, or editing instructions
• --input or -i: Input image path for editing (enables edit mode)
• --model or -m: OpenRouter model ID (default: google/gemini-3-pro-image)
• --output or -o: Output file path (default: generated_image.png)
• --api-key: OpenRouter API key (overrides .env file)

Example Use Cases

For Scientific Documents

# Generate a conceptual illustration for a paper
python scripts/generate_image.py "Microscopic view of cancer cells being attacked by immunotherapy agents, scientific illustration style" --output figures/immunotherapy_concept.png

# Create a visual for a presentation
python scripts/generate_image.py "DNA double helix structure with highlighted mutation site, modern scientific visualization" --output slides/dna_mutation.png

For Presentations and Posters

# Title slide background
python scripts/generate_image.py "Abstract blue and white background with subtle molecular patterns, professional presentation style" --output slides/background.png

# Poster hero image
python scripts/generate_image.py "Laboratory setting with modern equipment, photorealistic, well-lit" --output poster/hero.png

For General Visual Content

# Website or documentation images
python scripts/generate_image.py "Professional team collaboration around a digital whiteboard, modern office" --output docs/team_collaboration.png

# Marketing materials
python scripts/generate_image.py "Futuristic AI brain concept with glowing neural networks" --output marketing/ai_concept.png

Error Handling

The script provides clear error messages for:

• Missing API key (with setup instructions)
• API errors (with status codes)
• Unexpected response formats
• Missing dependencies (requests library)

If the script fails, read the error message and address the issue before retrying.

Notes

• Images are returned as base64-encoded data URLs and automatically saved as PNG files
• The script supports both images and content response formats from different OpenRouter models
• Generation time varies by model (typically 5-30 seconds)
• For image editing, the input image is encoded as base64 and sent to the model
• Supported input image formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP
• Check OpenRouter pricing for cost information: https://openrouter.ai/models

Image Editing Tips

• Be specific about what changes you want (e.g., "change the sky to sunset colors" vs "edit the sky")
• Reference specific elements in the image when possible
• For best results, use clear and detailed editing instructions
• Both Gemini 3 Pro and FLUX.2 Pro support image editing through OpenRouter

Integration with Other Skills

• scientific-schematics: Use for technical diagrams, flowcharts, circuits, pathways
• generate-image: Use for photos, illustrations, artwork, visual concepts
• scientific-slides: Combine with generate-image for visually rich presentations
• latex-posters: Use generate-image for poster visuals and hero images