10 Best Generative Art Tools to Use for Digital or NFT Artworks

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Why end up writing codes when you want to produce awesome NFT-worthy generative art? Discover the best generative art tools of all time.

Algorithmically generated artworks are a key part of the NFT industry, thanks to the success of bluechip projects from Art Blocks and also creators like Snowfro. 

While some generative art projects require a deep knowledge of coding to create, hobbyists can pick from a plethora of free and paid tools to explore this genre. 

Without any further delay, let’s delve into the world of the best generative art tools that the most successful the best generative artists use.

What to Look For in Best Generative Art Tools

Most generative art tools use open-source algorithms that are available for free on GitHub. Hence, it’s highly likely that the backbone of the different AI art generators is primarily similar. 

However, developers make some adjustments and branding to make the tools look different from their competitors. When searching for the best generative art tools, consider the following features.  Do this before starting your NFT project. It’ll help you to avoid any project bottlenecks when you’ve progressed halfway with the project.

  • The tool offers a usage license for NFT or commercial purposes.
  • The generative art app doesn’t claim intellectual property rights when you use it.
  • Preferably, the tool should be free or charges a nominal fee that you can afford.
  • The app offers some degree of automation to produce a 10,000 NFT art collection.
  • The tool loads easily on any web browser.
  • If you’ve got a high-performance PC, choose the generative art tool with a standalone installer for Windows or macOS PCs.
  • Go through the tool’s code to confirm that it’s not using malicious codes to copy your generative art production ideas.
  • The AI generated art app offers the option to upload multiple artworks as training models.
  • Whether it’s a PC app or web app, the tool should come with an easy-to-understand interface.
  • The tool comes with helpful articles and videos.     

How to Pick the Best Generative Art Tools

Generative art has become a mainstream technology for NFT content creation. To grab the billion-dollar market, developers publish hundreds of such web or desktop apps daily. 

Hence, you can’t just go ahead and choose one and then watch your NFT project fail. You need to invest time in tool research.

But, since you’re here, I’m saving you from complicated generative app research. Just go through the article until the end and carefully notice the features of the tools mentioned below. 

Depending on your NFT collection strategy, choose a few apps from below and try them online. If any of these satisfies your needs, you can use the tool immediately or buy it first.  

Testing Criteria for the Best Generative Art Tools

When testing the apps mentioned in this article, I’ve carefully considered the following criteria: 

  • Usability of the functionalities that come with these AI art generator tools.
  • Automation features, where mentioned, work according to the developers’ claims.
  • The output visual assets are NFT-ready or not.
  • No-code or low-code production of generative arts.
  • Help videos and articles appropriately explain the tool features.
  • Self-troubleshooting is available should you face any issues in the middle of the NFT project.  

Now, it’s time to find out the ultimates list of the best generative art tools below: 

1. Artbreeder

ArtBreeder app
You can fuse different images according to the scientific concepts of gene splicing, gene mixing, hereditary combinations, etc

Started as Ganbreeder, Artbreeder is the next-generation AI art app. It uses advanced AI algorithms for generative art like BigGAN and StyleGAN ML models. You can fuse different images according to the scientific concepts of gene splicing, gene mixing, hereditary combinations, etc.

Pros
  • Free for personal use and hobby purposes
  • It’s a web app.
  • Availability of some automation features
  • Drag-and-drop designing
Cons
  • You need to subscribe to premium plans for commercial use.
  • Needs account sign-up.
  • Limited own image uploading options.

2. Plain Pattern

Plain Pattern
Create an unlimited number of layers of things on top of each other

Plain Pattern enables you to create a layered pattern of real-world things like keys, audio cassettes, beer mugs, US dollar bills, shapes, etc. You can upload your own SVG file and use them as pattern elements.

Pros
  • Create an unlimited number of layers of things on top of each other
  • Download patterns as PNG files.
  • Free and easily accessible via average configuration PCs.
Cons
  • Too many manual steps.
  • IndexedDB API-based automation is under processing.
  • Limited SVG assets.

3. Korpus

Korpus cellular automata-based Ai art creator
Helps to train other generative art tools for NFTs

Korpus is an AI art generator that uses the cellular automata model. Scientists and engineers from niches like computational sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, etc., use this algorithmic approach to map surfaces of microstructures.

It creates outstanding patterns of black and white geometric shapes like triangles, rectangles, lines, etc. 

Pros
  • Helps to train other generative art tools for NFTs
  • Text-based AI art creation
  • Free for all
  • Export content as SVG, JPG, and PNG
Cons
  • Lacks automation
  • Pretty basic for the NFT collection
  • Lacks colored patterns

4. Patternico

Best generative art tools: Patternico
You can also add your own images and backgrounds too

Patternico is a powerful and automated pattern maker. It supports generating patterns using a drag-and-drop interface via a set of fonts and icons. You can also add your own images and backgrounds too. 

Pros
  • Line icons as vector assets
  • Solid icons as vector assets
  • Background color picker
  • Custom images and background
  • Transparency, canvas size, etc., customization
  • Free for all
Cons
  • Patterns only
  • No automation
  • Fixed pattern tile

5. Processing

Processing generative art app
It offers novel techniques to learn to code and apply your skills in the niche of the visual arts

Generative art creation doesn’t need to be code-oriented for the end user. However, if you’re a coder and NFT artist and want to implement your coding skills, check out Processing. It offers novel techniques to learn to code and apply your skills in the niche of the visual arts.

Pros
  • Standalone software for Windows and macOS PCs.
  • Free app
  • Artwork based on arrays, camera, color, control, forms, shapes, images, light, and more.
  • Various automation features.
Cons
  • Not a web app. You must install Processing on a computer.
  • Requires a moderate computer configuration for code and image processing.
  • Requires medium to advanced coding knowledge. 

6. Everypixel

Everypixel
No copyright or intellectual property issues

Everypixel is a popular royalty-free background image generator. It has a smart algorithm in its core for all the generative art processing tasks. You can upload your own photo or choose one from its library to produce an AI-based background with abstract patterns.

Pros
  • Free as long as you provide a backlink to Everypixel
  • No copyright or intellectual property issues
  • Pattern and Element Scaling
  • Automatic color palette suggestions
Cons
  • The tool asks for credits to their algorithm or tool
  • Only suitable for pixel art NFT projects
  • Generative art features are pretty basic

7. Chromata

Chromata example of neon art
It has an application programming interface (API) for automation purposes

Chromata is a JavaScript-based AI tool for generative art production. The program scans the color data of an input image and creates a path for neon-color-based lines that crawl throughout the training image. You can create animation or still images on Chromata.

Pros
  • Offers various artwork styles like Pixel, Sketch, Geometry, Impressionism, Fractal, Title, and more.
  • It has an application programming interface (API) for automation purposes. 
  • Free for all kinds of usage. 
  • API may be licensed against a fee. 
Cons
  • Automation requires programming knowledge.
  • Fewer generative art settings.
  • You can upload only one image to train the AI.
  • The web app only offers neon art.

8. Chimera Painter

Chimera Painter

Chimera Painter is a Google AI and ML project trained on the CreatureGAN algorithm. You can simply draw body parts of an animal and the tool will add textures to create a fully fleshed-out 3D graphic model.

Pros
  • Free to use.
  • Consists of a local library of animal models.
  • You can upload your own image too. 
  • One-click creation of AI artwork. 
Cons
  • You must be good at painting animal body parts.
  • The AI isn’t well trained to transform line art images of animals.
  • Takes a long time to process when you upload custom images.

9. AI Painter

AI Painter

AI Painter is yet another popular photo painting converter. It uses a neural network of painting themes, styles, and objects to apply painting filters to your uploaded images.

Pros
  • It produces high-quality painting effects in seconds.
  • It offers many painting styles like Dynamism of a Cyclist, Orange Outline, Southern (Tunisian) Gardens, Painterly Architectonic, Misty Mood, and more.
  • Free for personal use.
Cons
  • It costs a lot to license each AI image for commercial purposes.
  • It lacks automation features.

10. NightCafe

NightCafe
NightCafe has an intuitive interface

NightCafe uses various text-to-image algorithms to create digital artworks. Its core algorithms are Coherent CLIP-Guided Diffusion, Stable Diffusion, Style Transfer, and Artistic Algorithm.

Pros
  • Type a text to see an illustration.
  • Choose from many styles like Surreal, Cyberpunk, Heavenly, 3D Game, and more.
  • Intuitive interface. 
Cons
  • You only get 4 credits to get started.
  • You need to sign up for an account.
  • Buy credits for artworks more than 4. 

Bonus Generative Art Tools

Why You Can Trust Me

I’ve been reviewing software for many years now. After the NFT boom, I entered the Web 3.0 domain and started learning about apps, platforms, and technologies that constitute the Web 3.0 world.

I’ve also got an expert-level understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) concepts.

I regularly stay connected with the NFT and allied niche to know recent happenings, new tools, algorithms, smart contract updates, and more.

Not to mention, I’ve personally tried all the above tools. I’ve put myself in the shoes of a struggling creative artist to find the best generative art tools.     

The Final Word on Generative Art Tools

You can try any of the above tools to produce content for your NFT project or simply explore creating generative art. Pick an app depending on your creative style, theme, and genre.

AI Painter, Chromata, and Artbreeder are the best choices if you’re looking to create high-quality NFT artworks.

Author

  • Tamal is a freelance writer at TheNFTBrief. After gaining substantial experience in technology, finance, and business processes in his previous job in an IT consulting company, he adopted writing as a full-time profession 3 years ago. While not writing about the latest technology, he loves to play COD and binge-watch the Beluga YouTube channel.

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