Open studio
Academy navigation
Image editing

How to recreate an image with character references

Keep scene and character inputs in their correct roles.

Intermediate 5 min read · 5 stepsTry Recreate an image
0 of 5 steps completeSaved on this browser

Before you begin

Tool and model controls beside the prompt show the current selection. Select those names to open their menus.

  • An image of the scene to recreate.
  • Suitable character face/body references and available credits.

What you’ll achieve: A recreation request using a scene image and shared character references.

Model choices

For unrestricted character recreation, use a compatible Less restrictive reference model. Keep the original scene and character references distinct, and check the model's reference limit before submitting.

Choose Recreate an image

Open Recreate an image from Images. Read its requirements before attaching files: the scene image and character photos have different jobs.

Step 1 · Recreate an image — Change tool
Tong Recreate an image interface for “Choose Recreate an image”, with the Recreate an image — Change tool control highlighted by arrow 1.

Step 1: Recreate an image — Change tool

100%Zoom, then scroll to inspect a control.
Next step

Open the reference settings

Open Settings to see Images to recreate and Shared character references. Add the scene to its scene slot rather than placing every file in a general attachment list.

Step 2 · Settings
Tong Recreate an image interface for “Open the reference settings”, with the Settings control highlighted by arrow 2.

Step 2: Settings

100%Zoom, then scroll to inspect a control.
Next step

Assign the character references

Add suitable character photos in Shared character references. For multiple scenes, those character references are shared while the scene images are generated separately.

Step 3 · Add character references
Tong Recreate an image interface for “Assign the character references”, with the Add character references control highlighted by arrow 3.

Step 3: Add character references

100%Zoom, then scroll to inspect a control.
Next step

Describe the intended recreation

Explain the pose, scene and details you want while identifying the character. Check that every required role is present and use Done to return to the prompt.

Step 4 · Done
Tong Recreate an image interface for “Describe the intended recreation”, with the Done control highlighted by arrow 4.

Step 4: Done

100%Zoom, then scroll to inspect a control.
Next step

Check the cost and submit

Review the total for the selected scene inputs before Send prompt. Inspect each output and keep the saved original references for later revisions.

Step 5 · Send prompt
Tong Recreate an image interface for “Check the cost and submit”, with the Send prompt control highlighted by arrow 5.

Step 5: Send prompt

100%Zoom, then scroll to inspect a control.
Try it in Tong

A useful tip

Clear, consistent character references help more than several incompatible photos with different appearances.

If something goes wrong

If generation is disabled, check the missing reference roles in Settings. A scene photo alone does not satisfy the character-reference requirement.

Read first, create when you’re ready

Reading this guide is free. The linked tool shows its own requirements and current credit price. Screenshots use demonstration data; review your own inputs and the quoted cost before submitting paid work.

Reviewed 2026-10-18 · Tong Academy