Creating Step-by-Step AI-Powered Generative NFTs Guide
NFTs have absolutely exploded over the past year. We've seen insane stories of people making millions of dollars launching NFTs from the comfort of their own homes. But the hardest part about making an NFT is not the coding, it's creating an original artwork. In order for you to make a compelling NFT, you have to create original artwork. In this video, I'm going to show you how to do that easily with artificial intelligence.
You'll learn how to generate the artwork with AI, upload it to IPFS, add it to an NFT smart contract, and publish it live to a blockchain. So don't worry, you don't have to be an advanced coder to follow along with this. This is gonna be pretty easy on the grand scheme of things. I'm gonna show you how to do all this step by step.
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NFTs in the Current Scene
NFTs have absolutely exploded over the past year, and we've seen tons of prominent NFT collections come on the scene, like Board API Club and Crypto Punks, among others, who have set the format for how people consume NFTs primarily. Essentially, to launch an NFT, you hold a big drop event and mint the NFT from scratch. Often, generative artwork is used, where different teams have a collection that all look really similar but have different characteristics. This is done by generating different layers for each part of the NFTs and then putting them into smart contracts so that people can mint them.
However, creating generative NFT art like this can be a complex process that involves hiring or being an artist and creating multiple layers. But there is another approach that makes launching an NFT easier by using artificial intelligence. AI has the ability to generate artwork that is pleasing to the eye and can be used for an NFT collection. In this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to do that step by step.
Overview of NFT Architecture
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let's take a high-level look at the architecture of an NFT. An NFT is a digitally scarce item that lives on a blockchain. You need a smart contract for your NFT, which is responsible for the entire NFT collection. The smart contract determines who owns which NFT and facilitates the transfer of NFTs. The images of the NFTs, however, do not live on the blockchain itself. Instead, they are stored on IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), a distributed computer-like blockchain where you can store files.
The process of creating an NFT with AI-powered generative artwork involves three main steps: generating the NFT images with AI, uploading them to IPFS, and creating the smart contract with the NFT images linked to it and putting it on a blockchain. Let's explore each step in detail.
Generating NFT Images with Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning models, can be used to generate NFT images based on given words. By feeding the machine learning model with words, it can interpret and create images that represent those words. One way to generate NFT images with AI is by using the Snow Pixel app. This app allows you to enter words and the machine learning algorithm will interpret them and generate corresponding artwork.
In the Snow Pixel app, you can type in a variety of words to generate unique and creative NFT images. The more unique and creative the combinations of words, the better the AI-generated images will be. The Snow Pixel app provides features like generating similar images and getting variations, giving you more control over the generated artwork. To use the Snow Pixel app, you need to create an account and purchase credits, which start at $10.
Uploading NFT Images to IPFS
After generating the NFT images with AI, the next step is to upload them to IPFS. The images are not stored directly on the blockchain because it is expensive and not scalable. Instead, they are stored on IPFS, which acts as a distributed computer that can store files. By uploading the images to IPFS, you can easily access and link them to your NFT collection smart contract.
To upload your NFT images to IPFS, you can use Pinata Cloud, a website that allows you to upload NFT metadata directly to IPFS. Pinata Cloud makes it easy to upload and manage your NFT images. After uploading the images to IPFS, you will receive a unique CID (Content Identifier) for each image. The CID represents the location of your image on IPFS and will be used to access the images in the smart contract.
Creating the NFT Smart Contract
With the NFT images uploaded to IPFS, the next step is to create the NFT smart contract. The smart contract is responsible for managing the NFT collection and facilitating the minting and transfer of NFTs. In this tutorial, we will be using Remix Ethereum, an online IDE that allows you to write and deploy smart contracts.
To create the NFT smart contract, you need to copy the smart contract code provided in the tutorial and paste it into Remix Ethereum. The smart contract code is already pre-compiled and flattened for ease of deployment. After pasting the code, you can compile and deploy the smart contract to the Rinkeby test network using Remix Ethereum and Metamask.
Once the smart contract is deployed, you will receive a contract address. This address represents the location of your NFT collection on the blockchain. You can use this address to interact with your NFT collection, mint new NFTs, and transfer them to different wallets.
Minting and Viewing NFTs on OpenSea
After creating the NFT smart contract and deploying it to the blockchain, you can now mint and view your NFTs on OpenSea, a popular NFT marketplace. To view your NFT collection on OpenSea, simply paste your smart contract address from Remix Ethereum into the search bar on OpenSea. Your NFT collection will appear, and you can see the NFTs you have minted.
By clicking on an NFT, you can view its properties, such as the metadata, image, and any additional traits or characteristics you specified in the metadata. OpenSea allows you to showcase and sell your NFTs to a wider audience, providing exposure and potential buyers for your NFT collection.
Conclusion
Creating AI-powered generative NFTs is an exciting process that combines artistry with cutting-edge technology. With the help of artificial intelligence and blockchain, anyone can unleash their creativity and join the NFT revolution. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can generate unique and compelling NFT artwork, upload it to IPFS, create a smart contract, and publish your NFTs live to a blockchain. So go ahead and explore the world of AI-powered generative NFTs and unleash your artistic potential.
FAQs
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Can I use different machine learning models to generate NFT images?
Yes, the Snow Pixel app provides different models for generating NFT images. You can choose the model that best suits your needs and preferences.
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Is it necessary to upload the NFT images to IPFS?
Yes, uploading the NFT images to IPFS is essential as it provides a scalable and cost-effective solution for storing and accessing the images. It also ensures that the images can be linked to the NFT collection smart contract.
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Can I deploy the NFT smart contract to a different blockchain?
Yes, the NFT smart contract can be deployed to different EVM-compatible blockchains such as Avalanche, Polygon, or others. The process remains similar, but you need to choose the appropriate network and make adjustments as per the blockchain requirements.
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How can I showcase and sell my NFTs?
You can showcase and sell your NFTs on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. By listing your NFTs on such platforms, you can reach a wider audience and potentially find buyers for your artwork.
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Is it possible to modify the smart contract to add additional functionality?
Yes, the smart contract can be modified to add additional functionality or customize it according to your requirements. However, it is advisable to have a good understanding of Solidity and smart contract development before making any modifications.
