# OpenAI

The OpenAI backend provides image generation, editing, and analysis capabilities using OpenAI's image models. It supports text-to-image generation with DALL·E 3 and GPT-Image models, image editing with GPT-Image models, and AI-powered image analysis using vision-capable GPT models.

![The image displays the "General" settings tab of the "Visualizer" interface, featuring a dark-themed layout with a sidebar menu on the left. The main panel includes dropdown menus where "Google" is selected as the client and "OpenAI" is chosen for text-to-image, image editing, and image analysis backends. Additional controls show an image generation timeout slider set to 301, checkboxes for automatic setup and generation, and a selector for the fallback prompt type.](/talemate/img/0.34.0/visual-agent-openai-1.png)

## Prerequisites

Before configuring the OpenAI backend, you need to obtain an OpenAI API key:

1. Go to [OpenAI Platform](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys)
2. Sign in with your OpenAI account
3. Create a new API key or use an existing one
4. Copy the API key

Then configure it in Talemate:

1. Open Talemate Settings → Application → OpenAI API
2. Paste your OpenAI API key in the "OpenAI API Key" field
3. Save your changes

For additional instructions, see the [OpenAI API setup guide](/talemate/user-guide/apis/openai/).

## Configuration

In the Visualizer agent settings, select OpenAI as your backend for text-to-image generation, image editing, image analysis, or any combination of these. Each operation can be configured separately.

### Text-to-Image Configuration

For text-to-image generation, configure the following settings:

- **OpenAI API Key**: Your OpenAI API key (configured globally in Talemate Settings)
- **Model**: Select the image generation model to use:
    - **dall-e-3**: OpenAI's DALL·E 3 model (widely available)
    - **gpt-image-1**: OpenAI's GPT-Image model (may require organization verification)
    - **gpt-image-1-mini**: Smaller version of GPT-Image (may require organization verification)

![A screenshot of the "Visualizer" application settings interface with the "OpenAI Text to Image" tab selected on the left sidebar. The main panel displays a masked input field for a configured OpenAI API key and a dropdown menu set to the "dall-e-3" model.](/talemate/img/0.34.0/visual-agent-openai-2.png)

!!! warning "Organization Verification"
    The **gpt-image-1** and **gpt-image-1-mini** models may require your OpenAI organization to be verified before you can use them. If you encounter errors with these models, you may need to complete OpenAI's organization verification process.

!!! note "Model Testing Status"
    Talemate's organization is not verified with OpenAI, and we have not tested the **gpt-image-1** and **gpt-image-1-mini** models. We have confirmed that **dall-e-3** works correctly. If you have access to the GPT-Image models and encounter issues, please report them so we can improve support for these models.

The OpenAI backend automatically sets resolution based on the format and model you select:

- **gpt-image-1** and **gpt-image-1-mini**:
    - Landscape: 1536x1024
    - Portrait: 1024x1536
    - Square: 1024x1024

- **dall-e-3**:
    - Landscape: 1792x1024
    - Portrait: 1024x1792
    - Square: 1024x1024

### Image Editing Configuration

For image editing, configure similar settings but note that DALL·E 3 does not support image editing:

- **OpenAI API Key**: Your OpenAI API key
- **Model**: Select an image editing model:
    - **gpt-image-1**: Full-featured image editing model (may require organization verification)
    - **gpt-image-1-mini**: Smaller image editing model (may require organization verification)

![This screenshot displays the settings interface for an application called "Visualizer," specifically showing the "OpenAI Image Editing" configuration panel. The right side features a dropdown menu for selecting the model "gpt-image-1" beneath a configured API key section. An orange notification box at the bottom alerts the user that this specific model may require OpenAI organization verification.](/talemate/img/0.34.0/visual-agent-openai-3.png)

!!! warning "DALL·E 3 Limitations"
    DALL·E 3 does not support image editing. If you select DALL·E 3 for image editing, you will receive an error. Use **gpt-image-1** or **gpt-image-1-mini** for image editing instead.

!!! note "Reference Images"
    OpenAI's image editing models support a single reference image. When editing an image, provide one reference image that will be used as the base for the edit.

### Image Analysis Configuration

For image analysis, configure the following:

- **OpenAI API Key**: Your OpenAI API key
- **Model**: Select a vision-capable text model:
    - **gpt-4.1-mini**: Fast analysis model with vision capabilities
    - **gpt-4o-mini**: Alternative vision model option

![This image shows the settings interface for an application named Visualizer, with the "OpenAI Image Analysis" tab selected on the left sidebar. The main panel allows users to configure the OpenAI vision API, displaying a confirmed API key status. A dropdown menu below specifically indicates that the "gpt-4.1-mini" model is selected.](/talemate/img/0.34.0/visual-agent-openai-4.png)

!!! note "Analysis Models"
    Image analysis uses text models that support vision capabilities, not the image generation models. These models can analyze images and provide detailed descriptions, answer questions about image content, and extract information from visual content.

## Usage

Once configured, the OpenAI backend will appear in the Visualizer agent status with green indicators showing which capabilities are available.

![This image captures a dark-mode user interface section titled "Visualizer," marked by an active green status dot. Below the title, there are several pill-shaped tags or buttons representing data sources, including "Google," "References 1," and three distinct "OpenAI" options. The OpenAI buttons are highlighted in green, distinguishing them from the greyed-out Google and References buttons.](/talemate/img/0.34.0/visual-agent-openai-5.png)

The status indicators show:

- **Text to Image**: Available when text-to-image backend is configured
- **Image Edit**: Available when image editing backend is configured (shows "References 1" indicating single reference support)
- **Image Analysis**: Available when image analysis backend is configured

## Model Recommendations

### Text-to-Image

- **dall-e-3**: Most widely available option. Good for general use, though quality may vary.
- **gpt-image-1**: Higher quality option, but requires organization verification. Use if you have access and need better results.
- **gpt-image-1-mini**: Smaller version of GPT-Image, faster generation. Requires organization verification.

### Image Editing

- **gpt-image-1**: Best quality for image editing. Requires organization verification.
- **gpt-image-1-mini**: Faster editing option. Requires organization verification.

### Image Analysis

- **gpt-4.1-mini**: Recommended default for image analysis. Fast and accurate.
- **gpt-4o-mini**: Alternative option if you prefer this model.

## Prompt Formatting

The OpenAI backend uses **Descriptive** prompt formatting by default. This means prompts are formatted as natural language descriptions rather than keyword lists. Provide detailed, natural language descriptions of what you want to create or edit.
