ComfyUI ControlNet Tutorial: Master Precise AI Image Control

Welcome to the third episode of the ComfyUI Basic Tutorial Series! Today, we'll explore ControlNet, a powerful technology that revolutionizes AI image generation by providing precise control over image details and structure. 🎯

What Is Promptus Studio Comfy (PSC)?

Promptus is a browser-based, cloud-powered visual AI platform that provides an accessible interface for ComfyUI workflows through CosyFlows (a no-code interface), real-time collaboration, and built-in access to advanced models like Gemini Flash, HiDream, and Hunyuan3D.

Promptus Studio Comfy represents how many users prefer to interact with ComfyUI today — combining the flexibility of the open-source ComfyUI ecosystem with intuitive, drag-and-drop workflows and advanced AI model access including Stable Diffusion, GPT-4o, and Gemini. 🚀

Understanding ControlNet Technology

ControlNet is a breakthrough technology that allows for precise control over image details during generation. It helps retain the structure of an original image or a subject's pose, ensuring the final result matches your creative vision.

Setting Up Your Workflow

Start by opening your previous workflow or downloading the JSON file and dragging it into the ComfyUI interface. For this tutorial, we'll create an image of a kung fu master, so modify your prompt to:

"A kung fu master in traditional robes standing in a bamboo forest."

If your workflow includes a LoRA model for sticker-style images, you can either delete this node or right-click and select "Bypass" to temporarily disable it. ⚙️

🔧 Installing Required Models And Custom Nodes

To use ControlNet effectively, you'll need to download additional AI models. Open the Manager dialog in the top-right corner, then click on Model Manager. Search for "Controlnet++" and find the ProMax model.

After installation, click Refresh in the bottom-left corner. You'll also need to install the ComfyUI ControlNet Aux custom node, which expands ComfyUI's capabilities with user-developed plugins.

🎛️ Creating Your First ControlNet Node

Double-click on a blank area and search for "Apply ControlNet" to add it to your workflow. This node features two orange ports: the left port receives your prompt instructions, while ControlNet uses this information to modify the image composition accordingly.

Load the ProMax ControlNet model by dragging from the left green port to create a ControlNet Loader node. Add a Load Image node to provide a reference image for ControlNet analysis. 🎨

🕵️ Analyzing Images With OpenPose

In ComfyUI, applying ControlNet and image analysis require separate nodes. The Apply ControlNet node applies effects, while the ComfyUI ControlNet Aux node handles image analysis.
Select OpenPose for pose analysis and set the resolution to match your reference image (1024 × 1024). Add a Preview Image node to view the analysis result, then connect the image analysis output to the Apply ControlNet node.

⚙️ Fine-Tuning ControlNet Parameters

The Apply ControlNet node includes three crucial parameters:

• Strength: Higher values increase ControlNet influence
• Start: When ControlNet begins working
• End: When ControlNet stops working

For example, setting from 0 to 0.5 means ControlNet only influences the first half of generation, allowing the AI creative control afterward.

🌄 Advanced Techniques: Depth Mapping

Beyond OpenPose, ControlNet offers various image analysis types, including Depth Map, which helps AI understand spatial depth and structure for more realistic image generation.

To demonstrate this, create a spring mountain scene first, then use ControlNet to generate a winter version of the same landscape. Change the analysis mode to Depth Map and create a new prompt node for the winter scene.

❄️ Creating Seasonal Variations

This workflow allows you to generate multiple seasonal versions of the same scene with a single click. ControlNet generates a depth map from the spring image, combines it with your winter prompt, and produces a snowy landscape that maintains the original composition structure. 🌨️

🚀 Getting Started With Promptus

Ready to explore ControlNet and advanced ComfyUI workflows? Sign up for Promptus at https://www.promptus.ai and choose between Promptus Web for browser-based creation or the Promptus App for desktop workflows.

Promptus makes ComfyUI's sophisticated capabilities accessible to creators at every skill level, whether you're building concept art pipelines, crafting branded visuals, or developing animated stories.

🎉 Enjoy experimenting with ControlNet in ComfyUI and take your AI workflows to the next level!