I wanted a good cross-section of a mycelium network. This view has often been compared to the known universe zoomed out, and pictures of neurons in our brain. Surely I could get ChatGPT4 to create something like that, right?
You can find the chat prompts and the images that were created below, or view them in the gallery, written in PHP, that I had ChatGPT create.
ChatGPT’s responses are, well, pretty chatty. They mostly seem to justify, or explain, why chatGPT generated the images it did, and not necessarily what I was asking for. I included them for illustration. While the responses are interesting, I think that what is most interesting is the prompts I gave it, and the images it created in response to the prompts.
First Chat
Me:
please generate a black and white image of a mycelium network
ChatGPT:
A detailed black and white image showcasing a vast, intricate mycelium network. The network should cover the ground, with visible, interconnected filaments that resemble a complex web. The image should highlight the delicate, thread-like structures of the mycelium, emphasizing their role in connecting plants and soil in a forest ecosystem. The scene should convey both the beauty and the scientific significance of mycelium, with a focus on the patterns and textures created by the network.
Here’s the black and white image showcasing a vast, intricate mycelium network as requested.
Me:
that is great, but make it flatter, so it looks like the pictures you see of the universe, where all the galaxies make an intricate network. it should still be black and whit though, and it should also be suitable to use as a header image on a web page
ChatGPT:
Create a black and white, wide image that mimics the appearance of the universe, where galaxies form an intricate network, but interpreted as a mycelium network. The image should be flat and expansive, resembling a cosmic view of interconnected galaxies, yet clearly representing a mycelium structure. This design should be suitable for use as a header image on a webpage, ensuring that the intricate network of filaments is clearly visible and captures the viewer’s attention, highlighting the similarities between the cosmic web and mycelial networks in a striking, artistic manner.
Here’s the updated black and white image, designed to resemble the intricate network of the universe, interpreted as a mycelium network. It’s crafted to be suitable for use as a header image on a webpage.
Me:
too “spacey” – it need to look more like a realistic fungal network
ChatGPT:
Craft a wide, black and white image that closely resembles a realistic fungal mycelium network, with the design intended for use as a webpage header. This image should balance the intricate, interconnected patterns typical of a mycelium network with a more grounded, earthly appearance than previously attempted. The focus should be on capturing the natural beauty and complexity of the mycelium, ensuring the image maintains a realistic look while still being artistically compelling. The structure should be dense and detailed, highlighting the filaments’ intertwining and expansive spread, making it clearly recognizable as a mycelium network rather than a cosmic representation.
Here’s the revised image, crafted to more closely resemble a realistic fungal mycelium network, suitable for use as a webpage header.
Me:
let’s try another, but image it is a slice of soil. a vertical slice about a foot deep, so you can see a cross section of the fungal network that is beneath the soil
ChatGPT:
Design a black and white image depicting a vertical slice of soil about a foot deep, showcasing a cross-section view of the fungal mycelium network beneath the soil. The image should capture the intricate network of mycelium as it intertwines with soil particles, roots, and organic matter. Focus on the detail and complexity of the mycelium, highlighting its presence and importance in the soil ecosystem. The perspective should allow viewers to appreciate the depth and density of the mycelium network, providing a realistic and educational look at how these networks operate beneath the ground. This image should be suitable for a wide range of uses, including educational materials and web page headers, emphasizing the scientific and aesthetic beauty of mycelium in soil.
Here’s the image depicting a vertical slice of soil, showcasing a cross-section view of the fungal mycelium network beneath the soil, suitable for a wide range of uses, including educational materials and webpage headers.
Me:
that is really crazy cool, but it is still too 3d. if that is a foot deep, i would like to see a thin vertical slice, maybe 1/100 of an inch, of the bottom 3 inches
ChatGPT:
Create a black and white wide image depicting an extremely thin vertical slice of soil, precisely 1/100 of an inch thick, focusing on the bottom 3 inches of the soil depth. This image should emphasize a hyper-detailed cross-section of the fungal mycelium network, showcasing its intricate interactions within a very narrow slice of the soil ecosystem. The perspective should be zoomed in, allowing for the detailed observation of mycelium filaments, soil particles, and possibly tiny roots or organic matter at this micro scale. The image should convey the density and complexity of the mycelium in a way that appears almost abstract due to the extreme close-up, making it a visually striking piece for educational or artistic purposes, while still being realistic.
Here’s the image depicting an extremely thin vertical slice of soil, focusing on the intricate details of the fungal mycelium network within the bottom 3 inches of soil depth. This perspective offers a closer look at the complexity and density of the mycelium in a highly detailed and narrow slice.
Me:
it does not look like a thin slice, it has to be a perfect plane, a flat slice, make it as thin as possible
ChatGPT:
Generate a black and white wide image that represents a perfect, flat, and extremely thin vertical slice of soil, specifically emphasizing the thickness of 1/100 of an inch, within the bottom 3 inches of soil depth. The image should focus exclusively on the mycelium network, presenting it as a flat, two-dimensional plane without any 3D perspective or depth. This ultra-thin slice should reveal the intricate pattern and texture of the mycelium filaments as they spread across the soil, creating a dense and complex network. The goal is to capture the essence and beauty of the mycelium in the most minimalistic way, making it appear almost as a delicate drawing or etching, suitable for scientific illustration or artistic display.
Here’s the image representing a perfect, flat, and extremely thin vertical slice of soil, focusing on the mycelium network. This image captures the essence and intricate pattern of the mycelium in a minimalistic, two-dimensional plane.
Me:
there should not be branching at the top and bottom, make it look more like a cross section of a sponge, with a uniform structure throughout
ChatGPT:
Create a black and white wide image that resembles a cross-section of a sponge, but depicts an extremely thin, flat vertical slice of soil focusing on the mycelium network, with a thickness of 1/100 of an inch, within the bottom 3 inches of soil depth. The image should showcase a uniform structure throughout, without any branching at the top and bottom. It should highlight the dense, interconnected pattern of the mycelium filaments, resembling the porous texture of a sponge. The design should be minimalistic, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of the mycelium network in a flat, two-dimensional representation, suitable for scientific illustration or artistic display.
Here’s the image designed to resemble a cross-section of a sponge, depicting an extremely thin, flat vertical slice of soil with a focus on the mycelium network. This image showcases a uniform structure throughout, capturing the intricate pattern of the mycelium filaments in a minimalistic, two-dimensional representation.
Me:
it looks round to me, like a cake, but i like the surface the cake is sitting on, can i see that from the top down, without the part that looks like a cake.
ChatGPT:
Create a black and white wide image that captures the surface on which the previous cake-like image was sitting, viewed from the top down, without the cake part. The image should focus on the texture and pattern of this surface, showcasing a uniform and intricate design that could resemble a dense, interconnected network or a complex fabric-like texture. The design should be minimalistic yet detailed, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the surface’s pattern, suitable for artistic display or as a unique background. This representation should convey the essence of a meticulously arranged structure, possibly hinting at natural or abstract forms.
Here’s the image capturing the surface viewed from the top down, without the cake-like part. This design focuses on the texture and pattern of the surface, showcasing a uniform and intricate pattern.
Me:
can you give me a flat fuzzy surface viewed from directly above
ChatGPT:
Create a black and white wide image of a flat, fuzzy surface, viewed from directly above. The image should capture the texture of the surface in high detail, emphasizing the soft, dense fuzziness that makes it appear cozy and tactile. This representation should convey the sensation of softness and depth within the texture, making the viewer almost feel the fuzziness through the visual. The design should be minimalistic, focusing on the uniformity and intricate details of the fuzzy texture, making it an appealing background or artistic display piece.
Here’s the image of a flat, fuzzy surface viewed from directly above, capturing the texture in high detail to emphasize its soft and dense fuzziness.
Me:
that is round, i need a flat uniform surface, that looks more like felt
ChatGPT:
Generate a black and white wide image depicting a flat, uniform surface that resembles felt, viewed from directly above. The image should highlight the texture of felt in fine detail, showcasing its smooth yet slightly fuzzy texture. The representation should be minimalistic but rich in texture, emphasizing the even, dense quality of felt. This surface should convey a sense of softness and uniformity, making it an ideal background or artistic display piece that captures the essence of a felt material’s tactile qualities.
Here’s the image depicting a flat, uniform surface that resembles felt, viewed from directly above. This design emphasizes the texture in fine detail, capturing the essence of felt’s tactile qualities.
Me:
why does it look like a sphere?
ChatGPT:
The appearance of a sphere instead of a flat surface could be due to the interpretation of the prompt by the image generation model, which might have visualized the texture in a way that gives it a rounded appearance, especially when trying to emphasize texture and depth in a black and white image. Achieving the look of a perfectly flat, uniform surface with a felt-like texture in black and white can be challenging due to the nuances of conveying texture and depth without color or three-dimensional cues. Let’s adjust the approach to focus more explicitly on creating a flat appearance without any curvature.
Produce a black and white wide image that precisely captures the appearance of a flat, uniform felt-like surface, without any curvature, viewed from directly above. The image should focus solely on the texture of the felt, ensuring it’s depicted as perfectly flat and even across the entire view. The texture should be smooth with a slight fuzziness characteristic of felt, rendered in such a way that emphasizes the material’s flatness and uniformity. The objective is to create a minimalistic yet textured representation that avoids any implication of roundness or depth, suitable for use as a background or in artistic displays.
I’ve created another image focusing on achieving a flat, uniform felt-like surface without any curvature. This design aims to capture the smooth texture with a slight fuzziness, emphasizing flatness and uniformity.
Me:
can you zoom that photo x10
ChatGPT:
I’m unable to directly manipulate or zoom into images after they’ve been generated or modify them with specific instructions like zooming in by a certain factor. My capabilities are limited to creating new images based on textual descriptions. To achieve a closer look or a more detailed view akin to zooming in, I can attempt to generate a new image with a description that emphasizes closer details or a more magnified perspective of the texture you’re interested in. If you’re looking for a more detailed or close-up texture similar to what a x10 zoom might provide, could you describe the specific details or aspects you’d like to focus on?
Me:
move the viewer closer to the center of the image
ChatGPT:
Generate a black and white wide image that simulates moving the viewer closer to the center of the previously created flat, uniform felt-like surface. This new image should capture the texture of the felt in even greater detail, as if magnifying the central area to provide a closer look at the fine, smooth, and slightly fuzzy texture. The representation should still emphasize the felt’s flatness and uniformity but offer a more intimate perspective, highlighting the intricate details of the fibers and the subtle variations in texture that might not have been visible from a further distance.
I’ve generated a new image that simulates moving the viewer closer to the center of the flat, uniform felt-like surface, capturing the texture in greater detail. This provides a more intimate perspective, highlighting the intricate details of the fibers and the subtle variations in texture.
Summary
I was feeling frustrated with the results. Amazing for sure, but not what I was looking for.
Second Chat
This time I thought I would start simple. Felt seemed to be something close to what I wanted, so I began there.
Me:
create a black and white image that is a closeup of felt
ChatGPT
A black and white closeup image of felt texture, highlighting the intricate details of the fabric’s surface. The image focuses on the soft, dense fibers, capturing the unique patterns and variations in thickness. The lighting is designed to accentuate the tactile qualities of the felt, making it possible to almost feel its softness through the visual representation. The perspective is a macro view, allowing for an intimate examination of the material’s characteristics.
Here is a black and white closeup image of felt texture, focusing on the intricate details of the fabric’s surface.
Me:
ok, now imagine a pile of wool, that has been mixed up and tangled, and then someone tried to pull the mess apart so that is was a flat as possible, but still dense enough that you could not see through it, and then pressed it flat with an iron. I would like to see what that would look like if it was on a table and we took a photo of it from directly above
ChatGPT:
Imagine a pile of wool that has been mixed up, tangled, and then someone attempted to pull the mess apart to make it as flat as possible, but still dense enough that you could not see through it, and then pressed it flat with an iron. The photo is taken from directly above, showcasing the wool laid out on a table. The texture of the wool reflects the unique patterns formed by the tangling, pulling apart, and pressing process, with some areas appearing denser than others due to the uneven flattening. The lighting highlights the intricate details and textures of the wool, emphasizing its rich, tactile quality.
Here is the image depicting a pile of wool that has been mixed up, tangled, then attempted to be pulled apart as flat as possible, but still dense enough that you could not see through it, and finally pressed flat with an iron. The photo is taken from directly above, showcasing the wool laid out on a table.
Me:
can you show me a picture of a network?
ChatGPT:
A detailed illustration of a network, featuring a complex web of interconnected nodes and pathways. These nodes represent computers or devices, while the pathways symbolize the links or connections between them. The network is designed to showcase a variety of connection types, including wired, wireless, and optical links, depicted with different styles of lines and symbols. The image captures the essence of a modern, digital network, highlighting the intricate structure and the flow of information within. The perspective is from above, providing a clear, comprehensive view of how the components interact within the network.
Here is the illustration depicting a network, showcasing a complex web of interconnected nodes and pathways, representing a modern digital network from an above perspective.
Me:
can you show me an organic network with no nodes, just interconnected fibers, white fibers on a black background, very intricate, on a plane viewed from a 90 degree angle
ChatGPT:
An intricate organic network with no distinct nodes, consisting only of interconnected white fibers on a black background. The fibers weave together to form a complex web, showcasing a variety of thicknesses and directions that mimic the randomness and complexity of natural structures. The entire network is laid out on a plane, viewed from a 90-degree angle, ensuring that the fibers and their interconnections are the main focus. This perspective highlights the dense, intertwined pattern of the fibers, creating a visually captivating and detailed representation of an organic network.
Here is the image depicting an intricate organic network with interconnected white fibers on a black background, viewed from a 90-degree angle.
Me:
it seems like that is a 45 degree angle, no?
ChatGPT:
You’re correct; the perspective in the image may indeed appear more akin to a 45-degree angle rather than a direct 90-degree overhead view. This angle can create a sense of depth and dimension, but it might not align perfectly with the request for a straight overhead shot. My apologies for the oversight.
Me:
can you give me a straight overhead shot?
ChatGPT:
Visualize an organic network with no distinct nodes, composed entirely of intricate, interconnected white fibers against a black background. These fibers form a complex web, with variations in thickness and direction, resembling the randomness of natural structures. The image is captured from a straight overhead perspective, ensuring a true 90-degree angle view. This layout emphasizes the dense, intertwined pattern of the fibers, presenting a detailed and captivating depiction of an organic network, with the focus solely on the interplay of light and shadow on the fibers.
Here is the image with a straight overhead shot of an intricate organic network, featuring interconnected white fibers against a black background.
Me:
great, now give me thinner fibers, and many more nodes. each node should only be a connection of three or 4 very thin fibers
ChatGPT:
Visualize a refined organic network with numerous nodes, where each node is a connection point for three or four very thin fibers. These delicate, interconnected white fibers form a more intricate web against a black background, emphasizing the complexity and density of the network. The fibers are significantly thinner than before, creating a finer texture and a more detailed pattern. Each node is carefully depicted to show the precise intersection of the few fibers, enhancing the overall intricacy of the design. The image is captured from a straight overhead perspective, ensuring a true 90-degree angle view, which highlights the delicate interplay of the fibers and nodes across the network.
The image now features a refined organic network with numerous nodes, where each node is a connection point for three or four very thin fibers, captured from a straight overhead perspective.
Me:
smaller nodes please, and more of them
ChatGPT:
Enhance the previous visualization by creating an even more intricate organic network, with smaller nodes and a higher density of them throughout the network. Each node in this refined version connects only three or four ultra-thin fibers, making the nodes barely noticeable and significantly increasing the network’s complexity. The white fibers against the black background are now even finer, weaving a denser and more detailed web. The nodes, though smaller, are more numerous, creating a rich tapestry of connections that highlight the network’s delicate balance and detailed structure. The overhead perspective remains at a true 90-degree angle to capture the detailed interplay of these numerous small nodes and the thin fibers they connect.
The latest image features an even more intricate organic network, with smaller nodes and a higher density of them, each connecting only three or four ultra-thin fibers, from a straight overhead perspective.
Me:
smaller nodes
ChatGPT:
Create an even more refined organic network with significantly smaller nodes, vastly increasing their number throughout the network. These nodes are now minuscule, connecting only two or three extremely thin fibers, pushing the limits of visibility and complexity. The network’s web, composed of ultra-fine white fibers against a stark black background, achieves an unparalleled level of detail and intricacy. The density of the nodes is maximized, making the network appear as a continuous field of connections with barely distinguishable individual nodes. This image captures this complex network from a direct overhead perspective, maintaining a 90-degree angle to emphasize the sheer density and delicate structure of the network.
The latest image showcases an even more refined organic network with significantly smaller nodes, vastly increasing their number, and connecting only two or three extremely thin fibers, captured from a direct overhead perspective.
Me:
more randomness, and stick to a top down view
ChatGPT:
Refine the visualization of the organic network by introducing more randomness into the arrangement of the ultra-thin fibers and the minuscule nodes. The network should now display a chaotic yet natural pattern, with nodes and fibers intersecting at irregular intervals and angles, mimicking the unpredictable nature of organic growth. Despite the increased randomness, the overall structure remains intricate, with an even higher density of smaller nodes than before. The fibers weave through the network in a seemingly haphazard manner, yet they create a cohesive whole. This image is strictly from a top-down perspective, ensuring a true 90-degree view from above, which emphasizes the complex interplay of light and shadow on the fibers, enhancing the perception of depth and texture while maintaining a clear focus on the network’s detailed and randomized structure.
The latest image introduces more randomness into the arrangement of the ultra-thin fibers and the minuscule nodes, captured strictly from a top-down perspective.
Me:
do you know what the wood wide web is?
ChatGPT:
Yes, the “Wood Wide Web” is a term popularly used to describe the complex system of underground fungal networks that connect the roots of different plants and trees, facilitating communication and the transfer of nutrients among them. This network is primarily made up of mycorrhizal fungi, which form symbiotic relationships with the roots of plants.
In this symbiotic relationship, the fungi provide the plants with water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients from the soil. In return, the plants supply the fungi with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis. This mutual exchange is crucial for the health and growth of both the plants and the fungi.
The Wood Wide Web plays a significant role in ecosystems by promoting biodiversity, supporting plant growth, and enhancing the resilience of forests to environmental stresses. It allows for the sharing of resources among plants, including those of different species, which can lead to enhanced survival rates in challenging conditions. The network also facilitates communication between plants, where they can send chemical signals through the mycelial networks, warning neighboring plants of pests and diseases, allowing them to mount defensive responses.
This underground network underscores the interconnectedness and complexity of ecosystems, illustrating how life forms are interdependent and communicate in sophisticated ways that are still being explored and understood by scientists.
Me:
can you create a picture of the wood wide web?
ChatGPT:
Visualize the Wood Wide Web as a vibrant, underground network, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi. This network should depict an array of roots from different plants and trees, interconnected by a dense web of fungal mycelium. The mycelium acts as communication channels, transferring nutrients and signals among the plants. The scene is alive with activity, highlighting the exchange of resources and chemical messages beneath the forest floor. The illustration should capture the essence of this unseen, complex ecosystem, emphasizing the intricacy and beauty of the natural connections that sustain forest life. The roots and fungal networks are detailed, with a focus on the mutual benefits of this relationship, set against the backdrop of rich, dark soil, symbolizing the depth and mystery of the earth’s subsurface.
Here is an illustration visualizing the Wood Wide Web, depicting the symbiotic relationship between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi beneath the forest floor.
Me:
can you make one 9:3 and more abstract, and black and white
ChatGPT:
Create an abstract, black and white representation of the Wood Wide Web, capturing the essence of the symbiotic relationship between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi in a 9:3 aspect ratio. This visualization should strip away the literal imagery to focus on the conceptual interplay between these natural elements. Envision the roots and mycelium as a series of interconnected lines and patterns, flowing across the canvas in a harmonious dance of exchange and communication. The composition should emphasize the dynamic and unseen connections that bind the forest ecosystem together, using contrast, texture, and form to explore the depth and complexity of these underground networks. The artwork aims to evoke the mystery and beauty of the Wood Wide Web, presenting it as a metaphorical map of life’s interconnectivity and mutual support, all rendered in a stark, monochromatic palette.
The abstract, black and white representation of the Wood Wide Web, focusing on the conceptual interplay between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi, is now visualized in a 9:3 aspect ratio.
Me:
yes!
i love it!
ChatGPT:
I’m thrilled to hear you love it! If you have any more requests or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Summary
Again, not what I was looking for, but, I am using it! Maybe I should have just bought the iStock photo.
I am still learning to use this incredible tool, and it is easy to get lost in the staggeringly complex results. After all that, I realized I pretty much did get what I wanted with the 11th image. I chose to have ChatGPT “move the viewer closer”, which did not work out so well. I admit that was a frustrating response, after a series of frustrating, though also amazing responses. A simple manual crop may be good enough for what I was looking for. I think for my audience, most would at least know that this is supposed to be mycelium, and probably would not think too much about it.
