The first step in recreating an image is, of course, having a Doodly character you want to replicate.

This is useful when you want the same character style but need a gesture that isn't available in Doodly.

For instance, sometimes you want to create a video with just one character style.

This is good for image consistency and makes the story cohesive, maintaining a unified look throughout your project.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Launch the Doodly app on your computer. If you don’t have it installed, download it from the Doodly website and follow the installation instructions.

2. Select "Create New Video" from the main menu to begin a new project.

3. Under Resolution, choose "Facebook and Instagram" and then hit "Create." This will give you a 1000x1000 aspect ratio, which is perfect if you only need to export one image to replicate. If you need multiple characters, you can use another available aspect ratio from the dropdown menu to fit all the images you require.

4. Navigate to the Characters tab and select the Doodly asset you want to use as your model image. Browse through the available options and pick the character that best fits your needs.

5. If you have the Doodly Rainbow add-on and need to work on colored characters, you can turn it on by clicking the Doodly Rainbow menu. If you haven't added Doodly Rainbow, this step can be skipped as you won't have the color option.

6. After selecting your character, right-click on the image from the timeline at the bottom of the screen, then click "Save as image." Confirm by hitting "Continue." This will save the character image to your computer for further customization.

After extracting the image from Doodly, proceed to ChatGPT for further customization.

Now that we've extracted an image from Doodly, it's time to use that image with ChatGPT to create a new, customized character.

Note that image generation features might only be available to Plus subscribers in ChatGPT.

Here’s how to generate an image using ChatGPT:

1. Go to ChatGPT. You will see a paperclip icon on the left side of the prompt field. Click on this paperclip icon to upload the image you extracted from Doodly. Locate the photo or file on your computer and select it to upload.

2. Once the image is uploaded, you can input your prompt in the text field. For example, you might type: "Please create a doodle-style character similar to this but wearing business attire."

3. After typing your prompt, hit enter to submit it. ChatGPT will process your request and generate a new image based on the uploaded file and your prompt.

4. When you are happy with the generated image, download it. This typically creates a .webp image, which is not supported in Doodly, so you'll need to convert it.

5. Open the .webp file in an image editing tool like Paint and save it as a .jpg. Alternatively, you can use other free editing tools that support .webp and allow you to make the image have a transparent background, then save it as a .png.

6. When you’re satisfied with your image, upload it to Doodly by going back to the Doodly app. To do that, select Characters, choose the “All” tab, then click the blue and white plus sign, and browse for your file or drag and drop it in if you have it handy.

If you want the image revealed by hand drawing it, click the little pencil icon and create your drawing paths as you normally would. If you'd rather have it fade instead of being drawn when the image is revealed, you can choose "Fade" instead of "Draw," then click "Save and Return" to save it.

After customizing your character using ChatGPT, you might want to explore additional options.

Freepik is a fantastic tool that allows you to further enhance your Doodly images.

Freepik offers both free and premium features, with the premium subscription providing access to more variety and higher-resolution images.

Here’s how to use Freepik’s Sketch to Image tool:

1. Go to Freepik and access the main page.

2. From Freepik’s landing page, select "Sketch to Image" to begin the process of creating a new image based on your prompt.

3. On the left side of your screen, you will see several menus. Select "Upload" to upload the image you extracted from Doodly. Note that you can also use images from other resources to recreate. Your uploaded image will serve as the base for your new creation.

4. Next, input a prompt describing how you want to reimagine the existing image, such as: "woman wearing a corporate outfit, smiling and saying hi." Provide as much detail as possible to get the best results. Below is an example of a Doodly character imported. On the right side, you will see the reimagined version of it.

5. Right beside the prompt field, you will see the Imagination bar, which you can adjust by scrolling to the left or right. Moving the bar to the left makes the regenerated image more similar to your uploaded image, while moving it to the right introduces more variation. This feature reimagines the image based on your input.

6. If you can't find the right image by adjusting the Imagination bar, click the "Variations" menu located next to the prompt field. This loads several variations for you to choose from. Note that if you are using the free version, there is a limit to the number of variations you can generate.

7. Hover your cursor over a particular image to see the download option. Select and download the image you like best. Remember, if you exceed your limit to scroll and choose, you won’t be able to go back to the previous variations presented. Make sure to download the ones you like so you have multiple options to choose from later.

8. Once you have selected an image, you can choose to enhance it by clicking "Quick Enhance," located just above the Variations menu. 

9. When you’re happy with your image, click the "Export" button to download it to your computer. You can use other apps or free software to apply further edits, such as making the drawing strokes darker or removing the background. 

10. After editing your image, return to Doodly and import it. Arrange your characters as needed and make sure to set the Doodly settings appropriately.

Another fantastic feature that Freepik offers is its Image Editor.

This tool is perfect for making additional changes to your images, such as removing backgrounds, applying duotone effects, and adding various elements.

While Freepik offers these features for free, a premium subscription provides access to more advanced options and higher quality resources.

Here's how this feature works:

2. Click "Upload media" to upload your image. Locate the file you wish to edit and select it. If your image is full-body and you just want a headshot, you can crop it within the Freepik editor.

3. Once your image is uploaded, you can start applying changes. For instance, you can remove the background by selecting the background removal tool. This is especially useful if you want to place the character against a different backdrop in your Doodly video.

4. Next, you can apply a duotone effect by selecting a color from the Duotone menu. This can give your character a unique and vibrant look, making it stand out in your video.

5. After making the desired changes, download the image by clicking the download menu at the upper right side. Repeat the process to select and download multiple variations in different colors or styles.

6. Once you’re satisfied with your edits, upload the image to Doodly. Go back to the Doodly app, select Characters, click the blue and white plus sign, and upload your edited image. Arrange your characters in a square format (sample idea), ensuring they fit well within your project’s layout.

7. Fix the Doodly settings according to your preferences.

8. Lastly, export your video. Now, this is just one of the many ways you can edit your images in Doodly. Feel free to play around, explore, and be creative with how you work on these images.

Let’s take a look at the finished product:

And there you have it!

We’ve explored how to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Freepik to create and customize unique characters for your Doodly videos.

These tools not only save you time but also provide endless creative possibilities, allowing you to produce high-quality content that stands out.

With the rise of numerous AI-powered tools and software, it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones. ChatGPT and Freepik are just two of the many options available that can significantly enhance your Doodly characters.

These tools offer the flexibility to quickly generate characters, ensure consistency across your videos, and tailor designs to fit your specific needs.

Whether you’re working on an educational series, marketing campaign, or just having fun, AI tools can significantly enhance your workflow and final product.

Remember, the key to great video content is creativity and engagement.

By incorporating AI-generated characters, you can bring fresh and exciting elements to your projects, making them more appealing to your audience.

​Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools and techniques to find what works best for you.

Now it’s your turn! Start exploring these AI tools and see how they can transform your Doodly videos.