> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flora.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flora.ai/editor/elements.md).

# Elements

## Summary

Elements are reusable references that you can create, manage, and use across your canvas. Elements take one or more images of a single subject — such as a product, character, or object — and create high-quality references that drive more consistent results with less effort.

Instead of attaching your raw images directly, Flora studies your inputs and generates a unified **reference** that captures the key features and intent while filtering out unnecessary details. For example, an Element of a person might capture their face and hair while ignoring a specific outfit, pose, or background.

The result is a high-signal reference that you can reuse across your canvas to keep a subject consistent from one generation to the next.

## How Elements Work

When you create or edit an Element, you provide a few **inputs**:

* **Images** — reference images of your subject.
* **Category** — what kind of thing the Element is (a model, product, style, and so on), which helps Flora focus on the details that matter for that type of subject.
* **Guidelines** *(optional)* — a short text description that highlights important aspects or how the Element should be used.

Flora combines these inputs and generates an **Element Preview**: a single reference that represents what your generations will focus on. The preview is your signal for how the Element will behave — if it captures the right details, downstream generations will too.

{% hint style="info" %}
The Element Preview is a preview of what your generations will focus on. If it's missing detail or includes something it shouldn't, adjust your inputs and regenerate (see [Tips for Better Elements](#tips-for-better-elements)).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
AI can make mistakes, and generation results will vary. Elements improve consistency, but they can't guarantee perfect consistency or eliminate mistakes. See [Tips for Better Elements](#tips-for-better-elements) for ways to get better results.
{% endhint %}

## Creating an Element

There are three ways to create a new Element:

### From the Element Library

1. Click the **#** (Elements) button in the toolbar to open the Element Library.
2. Click **Create New Element** or the **New Element** card.
3. Add one or more reference images of your subject (supported formats: PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG).
4. Choose a **Category** and, optionally, add **Guidelines**.
5. Give your Element a name.
6. Flora generates an **Element Preview** from your inputs. Once you're happy with it, click **Create**.

### From the Canvas (Right-Click)

You can create an Element directly from existing image outputs on the canvas:

1. Select one or more image nodes that have generated outputs.
2. Right-click to open the context menu.
3. Select **Create Element**.

Flora uses the selected image outputs as the inputs for the new Element.

### From an Element Node

1. Add an Element node to the canvas (from the toolbar or by dragging from the Element Library).
2. Open the node's picker and select **New Element** at the bottom of the list.

## The Element Editor

The Element editor is where you set an Element's inputs and shape its reference.

### Inputs

* **Images** — add up to 8 images of the same subject, varying angles, lighting, and framing.
* **Category** — pick the category that best describes your subject. Categories include **Model**, **Character**, **Product**, **Object**, **Material**, **Setting**, **Style**, **Moodboard**, and **General**. The category helps Flora push for the right kind of consistency (for example, facial and physical features for a model, or visual fidelity and accurate details for a product).
* **Guidelines** *(optional)* — describe how the Element should be used or call out details that matter. Guidelines help you add context alongside your images.

### Element Preview

As you set your inputs, Flora generates the **Element Preview** — the reference image that drives your generations.

* **Regenerate** — generate a fresh reference from the current inputs. Use this if the preview is missing detail or includes something it shouldn't.
* **Set as Default** — when you've generated more than one reference, choose which one the Element uses.
* **Reference history** — every reference you generate is saved to a thumbnail strip below the preview. Click any past reference to view it, then **Set as Default** to revert to it. This lets you keep generating and pick the best result.

## Tips for Better Elements

Elements turn your inputs into a high-signal reference, so the quality of your inputs matters most.

* **Better inputs produce better results — and more isn't always better.** Stick to **5 or fewer images** when possible. A few clear, varied images of the same subject usually beat a large, noisy set.
* **Vary angles, lighting, and framing.** Close-ups, wide shots, and different perspectives all help Flora understand the subject.
* **Add Guidelines to highlight what matters.** Optionally use the Guidelines field to call out important aspects of the subject.
* **If a reference has missing or incorrect detail, regenerate or adjust your inputs.** Try regenerating the Element, or change your images, category, or guidelines until you get a high-quality result. You can always revert to a past version to select the best reference.

## Using Elements

### The Element Node

The Element node acts as a visual input reference on the canvas. When you add an Element, the node shows the Element's reference, name, and category.

To change which Element a node references, open the node's picker and search or browse — Elements are grouped by category — then select one.

### Mentioning Elements in Prompts

You can also reference an Element directly inside a prompt by mentioning it. The picker groups Elements by category so they're easy to find.

### Connecting to Image Nodes

Element nodes have an output handle you can connect to compatible image generation nodes. When connected, the model uses the Element's reference to maintain the subject's visual identity in the generated output.

Elements work with image-to-image and image-set-to-image models, including:

* Nano Banana Pro
* Nano Banana 2
* GPT Image 2
* Seedream 4.5
* Riverflow 2.0 Fast and Pro

{% hint style="success" %}
Some models are much better at driving visual consistency than others. For images, we recommend **Nano Banana Pro**, **Nano Banana 2**, or **GPT Image 2** for the best results.
{% endhint %}

### Connecting to Video Nodes

Elements can also be connected to compatible video generation models to create videos that maintain your subject's visual identity. Supported video models include:

* Seedance 2.0 (reference mode)
* Kling O1
* Kling O3

Connect an Element node's output to a supported video node just as you would with an image node.

{% hint style="success" %}
For videos, we recommend **Seedance 2 References** to get the best results.
{% endhint %}

### Drag and Drop

You can drag an Element card from the Element Library directly onto the canvas. This creates an Element node at the drop location, ready to connect to other nodes.

## Managing Elements

### The Element Library

Open the Element Library by clicking the **#** button in the toolbar. From here you can:

* **Switch** between the **Private** tab (your own Elements) and the **Shared** tab (Elements shared with your workspace).
* **Search** for Elements by name using the search bar.
* **Sort** Elements by name (A to Z, Z to A) or by date (Newest, Oldest).
* **Share** an Element to your workspace (or unshare it) via the right-click context menu.
* **Edit** any Element by hovering over its card and clicking **Edit element**, or via the right-click context menu, to open the Element editor.
* **Add to canvas** by clicking **Add to canvas** on the card, or by dragging the Element card directly onto the canvas.
* **Delete** an Element via the right-click context menu. Deleting an Element unbinds it from any canvas nodes that reference it.

### Editing an Element

To change an Element's inputs, reference, name, or category:

1. Open the Element Library.
2. Hover over the Element card and click **Edit element** (or right-click → **Edit element**).
3. In the Element editor, update the images, category, guidelines, or name, and regenerate the reference as needed.
4. Click **Update** to save your changes.

## Tips

* Elements are **private** to you by default, but you can **share** an Element to your workspace so others can use it. Use the **Private** and **Shared** tabs in the Element Library to switch between your own Elements and those shared with the workspace, and the right-click menu to **Share to workspace** or **Unshare from workspace**.
* You can create Elements from any image output on the canvas, making it easy to turn a generation you like into a reusable reference.
* The Element Preview is a preview of what your generations will focus on — treat it as your signal for quality.
* If an Element is deleted while it's still in use on the canvas, the node shows an "Element unavailable" state.

## Troubleshooting

### My reference doesn't look like my input

AI can occasionally miss details. Try regenerating the reference, and add **Guidelines** describing the specific details you want to capture. Also make sure the Element's **Category** is correct, since it shapes what Flora focuses on.

### Using an Element produces duplicates in my output

Be specific about what you want in your prompt. Describe the scene and how the Elements relate, rather than just listing them. For example, "product shot of #model holding #product" works better than "#model with #product".

## Limits and Fallback Behavior

A few things to keep in mind about reference generation:

* **AI can make mistakes, and results will vary.** Elements improve consistency, but they can't guarantee perfect consistency or eliminate mistakes across generations. See [Tips for Better Elements](#tips-for-better-elements) for ways to get better results.
* **Reference generation may depend on available models.** If models are disabled for your workspace, Flora may not be able to generate a reference for an Element.
* **Reference generation may be rate limited.** If you regenerate frequently, you may need to wait before generating another reference.
* **Elements without a reference fall back to their images.** If an Element doesn't have a generated reference, Flora forwards the Element's images directly as an attachment instead. You'll still get a result, but without the high-signal reference that drives the most consistent output.


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