Image Generation

Atom can generate images directly in the chat using Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash). Images stream in-place, land in your project context, and Atom can immediately reference or import them into After Effects.

Quick Start

Ask Atom to generate images just like you’d request any other task:

Generate a 16:9 particle sprite sheet with 8 different fire particle variations
Create three mood boards for a cyberpunk scene: neon streets, rain-soaked alley, holographic billboards

What You Can Generate

  • Particle sprite sheets – Ask Atom to wire them into layered particle systems in After Effects
  • Mood and concept frames – Block out narrative beats, then have Atom animate parallax passes for pitch boards
  • Texture and decal passes – Generate custom textures and have Atom drop them into materials, mattes, or UI elements on the timeline
  • Reference imagery – Visual direction for color, composition, or style

Controlling the Output

Aspect Ratio

Specify the dimensions you need:

Generate a 1:1 square icon of a glowing atom symbol
Create a 16:9 landscape background of a desert sunset

Common ratios: 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4

Multiple Images

Request multiple variations or shots:

Generate 4 different logo concepts for a tech startup
Create 3 versions of this scene with different lighting: morning, noon, dusk

Where Images Are Stored

Generated images are saved in your project folder at:

[Your AE Project Folder]/Atom Assets/image-cache/

If your project isn’t saved yet, images go to your user data folder until you save the project.

Choosing Your Model

Change the image model in Settings → General → Image Model. The default is Gemini 2.5 Flash, which balances quality and speed.

Tips for Better Results

  • Be specific – Describe style, composition, colors, and mood
  • Iterate naturally – Refine in the same chat: “Make those colors more saturated” or “Add more contrast”
  • Combine with automation – After generating textures or sprites, ask Atom to import and apply them in your comp