> Node: OpenAI Image (DALL-E) (`openai_image`) · Action (binary) · v1 > Category: Utility · Credentials: OpenAI (`openai`) > Updated: 2026-08-16 # OpenAI Image (DALL-E) > Generate, edit, and create variations of images using OpenAI DALL-E ## Overview The OpenAI Image (DALL-E) tool interacts with OpenAI's image generation API. It supports three operations: (1) generate — create images from a text prompt, receiving b64_json and decoding to binary; (2) edit — edit an existing image with a text prompt and optional mask (inpainting); (3) createVariation — create variations of an existing image. All operations store output images as binary data in the binary store. The generate operation sends a JSON request and decodes the b64_json response. The edit and createVariation operations upload source images (and optional masks) as multipart/form-data. Authentication is via API key sent as Bearer token. **Category:** Utility **Tool Name:** `openai_image` **Version:** 1 **Appearance:** Icon: `openai` | Color: `#412991` ## Node Type **Action (Binary)** — handles file/binary data operations ## Input / Output | Direction | Port(s) | |-----------|--------| | Input | `Input` | | Output | `Output`, `Error` | ## Credentials This tool requires **OpenAI** credentials. See the [Credentials Guide](https://busybot.net/credentials/openai/) for setup instructions. ### Operations | Operation | Value | Description | |-----------|-------|-------------| | Generate | `generate` | Create an image from a text prompt | | Edit | `edit` | Edit an existing image with a prompt and optional mask (DALL-E 2 only) | | Create Variation | `createVariation` | Create a variation of an existing image (DALL-E 2 only) | ### Parameters #### Generate (`generate`) | Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description | |-----------|------|----------|---------|-------------| | Prompt | `string` | Yes | — | A text description of the desired image. Max 1000 chars for DALL-E 2, 4000 chars for DALL-E 3. Leave it empty to use the incoming item's `prompt` field instead. | | Model | `options` | No | the platform's current default image model | The OpenAI image generation model. Always uses the latest version (auto-updated). gpt-image-1 is the unified flagship; DALL·E variants kept for backward compatibility. | | | | | | Options: pick from the dropdown — the list tracks the OpenAI image model families the platform supports, so it is not fixed here. | #### Edit (`edit`) | Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description | |-----------|------|----------|---------|-------------| | Prompt | `string` | Yes | — | A text description of the desired image. Max 1000 chars for DALL-E 2, 4000 chars for DALL-E 3. Leave it empty to use the incoming item's `prompt` field instead. | | Input Binary Property | `string` | No | `data` | Name of the binary property containing the source image to edit or create a variation of. Must be a valid PNG, less than 4MB, and square. | | Mask Binary Property | `string` | No | `mask` | Name of the binary property containing the mask image. The mask must be a PNG with transparent areas indicating where the edit should be applied. Same size as the source image. The mask is optional — it is only sent when the item actually carries that property. | #### Create Variation (`createVariation`) | Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description | |-----------|------|----------|---------|-------------| | Input Binary Property | `string` | No | `data` | Name of the binary property containing the source image to edit or create a variation of. Must be a valid PNG, less than 4MB, and square. | #### All Operations | Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description | |-----------|------|----------|---------|-------------| | Response Format | `options` | No | `binaryData` | How to return the generated image(s). Binary File decodes and stores the image as binary data. Image URL returns a temporary URL. | | | | | | Options: `binaryData` (shown as "Binary File"), `imageUrl` (shown as "Image URL") | | Output Binary Property | `string` | No | `data` | Name of the binary property to write the output image(s) to. Names are case-sensitive — see the upstream node's Binary Data panel for the exact names to use. _(shown when Response Format is `binaryData`)_ | | Options | `collection` | No | `{}` | Additional generation options. Add only the ones you need. | | — Number of Images | `number` | No | `1` | Number of images to generate. DALL-E 2 supports 1-10. DALL-E 3 always generates 1 image (this parameter is ignored). | | — Quality | `options` | No | `standard` | Image quality. HD produces finer details and greater consistency. Only available for DALL-E 3. | | | | | | Options: `standard`, `hd` | | — Size | `options` | No | `1024x1024` | Image resolution. DALL-E 2: 256x256, 512x512, 1024x1024. DALL-E 3: 1024x1024, 1792x1024, 1024x1792. | | | | | | Options: `256x256`, `512x512`, `1024x1024`, `1792x1024`, `1024x1792` | | — Style | `options` | No | `vivid` | Image style. Vivid produces hyper-real and dramatic images. Natural produces more natural, less hyper-real images. Only available for DALL-E 3. | | | | | | Options: `vivid`, `natural` | | Max Concurrency | `number` | No | `5` | Maximum number of items to process concurrently. Keep low to respect OpenAI rate limits. | ## Output Data Results are **merged onto the input item JSON** — the incoming fields pass through unchanged. Every operation **fans out**: one output item per image returned, so asking for 3 images turns one input item into three output items, each carrying its own `imageIndex`. What lands on each output item depends on **Response Format**: | Response Format | Item JSON | Binary | |-----------------|-----------|--------| | `binaryData` | `imageIndex`, plus the operation's marker field | The image is written to the property named by **Output Binary Property**, as a PNG, merged alongside any binary the input item already carried. File names are `image_{n}.png` for Generate, `edited_{n}.png` for Edit, and `variation_{n}.png` for Create Variation. | | `imageUrl` | `imageUrl` (a temporary URL from OpenAI), `imageIndex`, plus the operation's marker field | Unchanged — the input item's binary is forwarded and no new binary is written. Download the URL with an HTTP node if you need the bytes. | Per-operation fields: | Operation | Fields added | |-----------|--------------| | `generate` | `imageIndex`; `revisedPrompt` when the model rewrote your prompt before drawing. | | `edit` | `imageIndex`, `edited: true` | | `createVariation` | `imageIndex`, `variation: true` | Reference the result downstream by expression, e.g. `{{ $json.imageUrl }}` or `{{ $json.revisedPrompt }}`. ## Usage Examples - Generate an image from a text prompt using DALL-E 3 - Create HD quality images with DALL-E 3 - Edit an image by providing a mask and prompt - Create variations of an existing image - Generate multiple image variations with DALL-E 2 ## Example Configuration Generate one high-quality widescreen image and store it as binary: ```json { "type": "openai_image", "parameters": { "operation": "generate", "prompt": "A serene mountain landscape at sunset with snow-capped peaks reflecting in a crystal clear lake", "responseFormat": "binaryData", "binaryPropertyName": "generated_image", "options": { "quality": "hd", "size": "1792x1024", "style": "natural" } } } ``` Generate several small images from one prompt — each comes out as its own item: ```json { "type": "openai_image", "parameters": { "operation": "generate", "prompt": "A minimalist logo design for a tech startup", "responseFormat": "binaryData", "binaryPropertyName": "logo_options", "maxConcurrency": 3, "options": { "n": 5, "size": "256x256" } } } ``` Inpaint an existing image using a mask carried on the same item: ```json { "type": "openai_image", "parameters": { "operation": "edit", "prompt": "Add a rainbow in the sky", "inputBinaryPropertyName": "original_image", "maskBinaryPropertyName": "sky_mask", "responseFormat": "binaryData", "binaryPropertyName": "edited_image", "options": { "size": "1024x1024" } } } ``` Create two variations of a source image and return them as temporary URLs: ```json { "type": "openai_image", "parameters": { "operation": "createVariation", "inputBinaryPropertyName": "source_image", "responseFormat": "imageUrl", "options": { "n": 2, "size": "1024x1024" } } } ``` ### Error Handling | Mode | Behavior | |------|----------| | **stop** | Halts workflow on first error | | **continue** | Skips failed items, passes successful ones through | | **errorPort** | Routes failed items to Error output port | ## Tips Generate, edit, or create variations of images using OpenAI DALL-E models, storing results as binary data. ### Behavior notes - **Prompts are node-level, with one per-item escape hatch.** The node's parameters are used exactly as typed — `{{ }}` expressions in them are not evaluated. To vary the prompt per item, leave **Prompt** empty and put the text on the incoming item's `prompt` field instead; the node picks it up from there. - **A missing prompt is an error** on Generate and Edit — if the parameter is empty and the item has no `prompt` field, the item fails. - **Source images must be square PNGs under 4 MB** for Edit and Create Variation. The mask, when supplied, must be a PNG of the same size with the area to change made transparent. - **The mask is optional.** If the item does not carry the named mask property, the edit runs without one. - **Choose the model from the dropdown**, not by typing an ID — the list is kept in step with the image model families the platform supports. ### Important notes - **Model Limitations**: DALL-E 3 always generates exactly 1 image regardless of the `n` parameter - **Size Constraints**: DALL-E 2 supports 256x256, 512x512, 1024x1024. DALL-E 3 supports 1024x1024, 1792x1024, 1024x1792 - **Quality and Style**: Only available with DALL-E 3 - **Edit and Variation Operations**: Only supported by DALL-E 2 - **Rate Limits**: Use `maxConcurrency` to control request rate and avoid API limits - **Image Requirements**: Input images for edit/variation must be PNG format, under 4MB, and square