[Updated for 2024] 5 apps to turn photos into illustrations! We also introduce how to generate AI images for free.

Recently, we often see photos that have been generated using AI. Photo-to-illustration apps not only automatically generate AI illustrations for free and easily, but they can also turn photos into Instagram-worthy backgrounds, so I definitely recommend trying out AI image generation with a photo-to-illustration app at least once!

However, many people probably don’t know how to generate images using AI or which app to use. This time, we will introduce five free photo-to-illustrator apps that use AI to generate images. We also introduce how to generate images using AI and how to create AI illustrations for specific purposes, so please take a look.

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AI stands for artificial intelligence, and AI used to generate images is sometimes called “generative AI.” The appeal of “generative AI” is its ability to learn from vast amounts of data and create new content based on that data. This is a major invention that completely overturns the previous concept of machines being able to only perform specific tasks!

The AI that generates images learns various characteristics and rules from vast amounts of photo and image data. Its unique feature is that it can turn photos into illustrations or paintings based on the data it has learned, and it can also understand text commands to generate new images even if the original photo is not available.

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With AI image generation, you can create AIGCs of not only people but also non-people. AIGC stands for “AI-assisted content creation.” Here we will explain what AI image generation can do!

AI image generation possible for landscapes as well as people

With AI image generation, not only can you create AI illustrations of people, but you can also use AI to create landscape images. Even if your facial expression is good, the photo may not look good on Instagram if the background is bleak or the sky is cloudy and the image is not clear.

We recommend AI image generation, as it can generate beautiful background illustrations such as parks and autumn leaves. When using Beauty Plus to generate AI-generated backgrounds, the AI will automatically recognize people, make the background transparent, and automatically generate a pre-selected background. In addition, it can generate AI images of cloudy skies in a cute pink color or a beautiful sunny sky, so it’s also recommended for those who want to edit photos to look good on Instagram without creating AI illustrations.

By the way, if you use BeautyPlus’s “Manga-style Portrait” feature, the AI will create a caricature-style illustration and even automatically generate the background! There are a wide variety of backgrounds, from studio-like ones to outdoor backgrounds such as rows of cherry blossom trees, so it’s great to be able to create stylish portraits anywhere.

A wide variety of AI-generated illustrations

In particular, apps that turn photos into illustrations have a huge variety of AI illustrations that can be automatically generated for free! It’s fun to choose from a variety of styles, from manga-style to watercolor and oil painting-style, to match the atmosphere of your photo. Here, we’ll introduce some of the types of AI illustrations that can be generated with BeautyPlus.

80s style anime illustrations | Pencil drawing style illustrations

Manga-style illustrations | Idol-style illustrations

Not only can you create caricature-style illustrations, but you can also have fun automatically generating AI avatars that are completely different from the original face to match the shape of your face ♡! In addition, the AI will create background illustrations to match your avatar, incorporating elements from actual photographs. Be sure to try out BeautyPlus’ AI illustration maker, as it creates photos that look like a fusion of anime and reality.

AI video creation

Recently, the “AI Comic Book Video” feature, which allows you to create videos using illustrations of live-action footage, has become very popular! By applying AI illustrations to actual movements, you can create videos that make you appear as if you are an anime character.

There are many free video editing apps available, and some can even be used within apps that turn photos into illustrations, so beginners might want to try editing videos using automatic AI generation.

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These are the three free video editing apps recommended for beginners!

Edit videos in an anime style using AI illustrations! BeautyPlus

“BeautyPlus” is a very popular free photo editing app that is also famous for turning photos into illustrations, but it can also edit videos into illustrations! If you make a short video of less than 10 seconds, it will turn into an anime-like video, so it’s a feature you should definitely try out ♡ If you use music or filters, it will become an even more authentic animation ♪

A convenient app that automatically edits videos using AI! VivaVideo

“VivaVideo” has over 800 million users worldwide and is extremely popular as the original AI video editing app. What makes it special is that it has an automatic editing function. Once you have selected the video you want to use, set the video theme and music and you’re done! This video editing app has many free effects that can be used, so even beginners can create high-quality videos.

If you’re an iPhone user, you may already have it installed. ！ iMovie

“iMovie” is a video editing app that comes pre-installed on your iPhone. Many iPhone users may have seen it, but have never used it. In fact, iMovie also has an AI video editing function, so if you haven’t used it yet, you may be missing out! iMovie’s AI video editing has two functions: “Trailer” and “Movie”, and it not only allows for automatic editing like “VivaVideo”, but also automatically generates videos like movie trailers. This is a highly recommended free video editing app for beginners who want to easily create unique videos.

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There are several ways to automatically generate AI illustrations! Let’s take a closer look at each one!

AI image generation from text

When generating images from text using AI, you input the characteristics of the image you want to create from the text to the AI. This system uses the vast amount of data it has learned to generate completely new images that match the content of the text. It can generate an image based on your imagination even if you don’t have a photo to base it on, so you can save yourself the trouble of actually taking a photo or creating an image from scratch. Some free photo-to-illustrator apps also support AI image generation from text, so they’re convenient to use on your smartphone.

Automatically generate AI illustrations from photos

To automatically generate an AI illustration from a photo, you need to import the original photo into an app or tool that has an AI illustration maker function. If you select the type of AI illustration, it will automatically recognize faces and scenery, so you can easily create an illustrated photo♪ If you want to turn a photo to post on social media into an AI illustration, the automatic generation method from a photo is easy and recommended♡ In particular, there are many apps that turn photos into illustrations that are free to use, so they are easy to try out and recommended!

If you’re looking for an AI illustration maker that looks great on Instagram, we recommend this free app that turns photos into illustrations

There are many different types of AI illustration makers, including those that can be used on PCs and apps that can be used on smartphones, so it can be hard to know which tool to use. If you want to choose an AI illustration maker that will look good on Instagram, we definitely recommend a photo editing app! Photo editing apps can be used on smartphones, so you can easily create illustrations using AI without having to open a PC.

Recently, there are many apps like “BeautyPlus” that turn photos into illustrations, and there are a wide variety of AI illustrations that you can use for free. If you’re looking for an AI illustration maker that will look good on Instagram, try looking for one among the photo editing apps.

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Here are our top 5 recommended free photo illustration apps! We will introduce the characteristics of each.

AI images can be generated with a wide variety of painting styles! BeautyPlus

When it comes to free apps for turning photos into illustrations, “BeautyPlus” is the one! Its unique feature is that it can turn photos into AI illustrations with a variety of styles, including Korean manga-like styles and painting-like styles such as watercolors! It’s fun choosing which AI illustration to use ♡ There are not only caricature-style illustrations, but also many types of AI avatars! There are a wide variety of cute and pretty avatars, so it’s great to be able to edit your photos into various characters.

Easily create Instagrammable photos with cutting-edge AI image generation technology! Vivid AI

“Vivid AI” is a cutting-edge AI illustration maker app that can generate AI images from both text and photos. There are plenty of AI illustrations and avatars available, but the features worth noting are the “AI Dress-up” and “AI Sky”! Even if you take a photo in loungewear, they can dress you up in cute clothes, and they can also edit photos of cloudy scenery into beautiful sunny photos, so you can easily create photos that look great on Instagram! “Vivid AI” is also free, so if you’re looking for an app to turn photos into illustrations, give it a try!

The original AI illustration maker app! Meitu

Meitu’s AI image generation is a popular photo editing app for creating avatars and illustrations. Originally a photo editing app specializing in selfies, the addition of the “AI Illustration Maker” function helped make AI image generation popular. It really is the original AI illustration maker app ♡ It has great functionality for recognizing people in photos and can create highly accurate AI illustrations, so I highly recommend it!

PhotoDirector is a free app that allows you to create original illustrations using AI.

PhotoDirector’s AI image generation is unique in that it can learn from the imported photo data and create illustrations, avatars, and videos with a variety of styles. It’s free, but it’s popular as an app that turns photos into illustrations with extremely high accuracy! If you upload a dozen or so photos of a specific person, the AI will learn their facial features and create a new illustration for them. This is also recommended for people who are not satisfied with just turning photos into illustrations.

AI image generation function now available in popular photo editing app! Snow

“Snow” is a popular app that started a trend in photo editing, including effects that make animals look better. “Snow,” which still enjoys enduring popularity, now has an AI image generation function! Of course you can turn photos into illustrations and create AI avatars, but the standout features are “AI Babies” and “AI Pets”!

AI Baby is a feature that uses AI to predict a child’s face from two photos and create an illustration, creating up to 30 different illustrations. It’s also fun to play with your partner ♡ Also, “AI Pet” will use AI to create illustrations from photos of your pet! If you have pets, this is a feature you should definitely try.

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If you can master this free photo-to-illustration app, you’ll be able to generate a variety of AI images to suit your needs! Here, we will explain how to create AI illustrations for the following five purposes.

This time, we will explain how to do this using “BeautyPlus,” a very popular app that turns photos into illustrations for free. It is rare for an app that turns photos into illustrations, but it has a wide variety of AI illustrations that you can use for free, so please give it a try.

1. How to create AI illustrations using landscape photos

Basically, any style of illustration or painting can be applied to landscapes, but please note that it cannot be applied to modes that are targeted at people, such as “Portrait” and “Manga+” ♪

1. After opening “BeautyPlus”, select a photo from “+” > “Photo Editing”
2. Select “Edit” > “AI Art” from the menu below.
3. Select an AI illustration that matches the atmosphere of your landscape photo and you’re done!

2. How to automatically generate AI illustrations from photos of people

“Portrait” and “Manga+” can only be used on photos of people, so these are modes you should definitely try out! There are also plenty of AI illustrations in the style of paintings, such as oil paintings, so you can even create portrait-style photos ♡

1. After opening “BeautyPlus”, select a photo from “+” > “Photo Editing”
2. Select “Edit” > “AI Art” from the menu below.
3. Select an AI illustration that matches your preferred style and the atmosphere of the photo, and you’re done!

3. How to generate AI images from pet photos

With BeautyPlus’ Pet Character Diagnosis, you can create an anthropomorphized avatar from a photo of your pet! Have you ever wondered what kind of character your pet would be if it were a human? Maybe the avatar you get will be completely different from the character you imagined as the owner.

1. Once you open “BeautyPlus”, scroll down the bar
2. Tap “Pet Character Diagnosis” on the top left
3. Check “I have read and agree to the BeautyPlus AI Terms of Use” at the bottom.
4. Select a photo of your pet from the upload
5. Tap “Save All” at the bottom right to save and you’re done!

4. How to generate an AI avatar

“BeautyPlus” has a total of nine AI avatars, two of which can be used for free. This feature allows you to create photos that look like a mix of anime and reality, so it’s a must-try if you have “BeautyPlus” installed. Another great feature is that even when you have multiple people in a photo, you can choose a different AI avatar for each one!

1. After opening “BeautyPlus”, select a photo from “+” > “Photo Editing”
2. Turn on “AI” at the top of the menu bar below
3. Select your favorite avatar and you’re done!

5. How to create videos with AI illustrations

If your video is longer than 10 seconds, cut it down beforehand! Your creation history will disappear after 3 days, so be sure to save it as soon as possible.

1. Once you open “BeautyPlus”, scroll down the bar
2. Tap “AI Comic Video” on the top right
3. Check “I have read and agree to the BeautyPlus AI Terms of Use” at the bottom.
4. Select a video of 10 seconds or less from “Upload Video”
5. Check and save the completed video from the “Creation History” below the upload button and you’re done!

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This time, we introduced how to create AI illustrations and five free apps that turn photos into illustrations. The best thing about free apps like “BeautyPlus” is that you can easily automatically generate AI illustrations on your smartphone! It can process anything from stylish Korean manga-style portraits to unusual, painting-like photos, so if you want a profile icon for SNS or a photo that will look good on Instagram, be sure to give AI image generation a try ♡