ArtCraft: generate AI images and video with real control
ArtCraft is a free desktop app for AI image and video generation. Instead of typing a prompt and hoping, you build the scene first, then generate. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Download ArtCraft View on GitHubWhat ArtCraft is
ArtCraft calls itself "the IDE for artists," and that name fits. Most AI image tools give you a text box and nothing else. ArtCraft gives you a workspace: a 2D canvas, a 3D scene, and tools to place characters, set cameras, and block out a shot before you generate. The result is AI output you can steer instead of gamble on.
It is written in Rust, released under the MIT or Apache-2.0 license, and the source lives at github.com/storytold/artcraft. Because it is open source, the app itself is free. You only pay for the AI models you connect to it, and only if those providers charge.
What you can do with it
These are the core features in the current build. The list is long because the tool blends generation with scene building.
Text to image
Explore ideas fast with a prompt, then refine them on the canvas. Works across many image models.
Image to video
Animate a still image with your pick of video models and generation controls.
2D compositing
Stack image layers, remove backgrounds, and draw to build a composition before you render it.
3D compositing
Layer backdrops, foregrounds, and props in 3D to give a scene real depth.
Character posing
Pose a character and set the camera, then generate the final shot with that exact setup.
Image to 3D mesh
Turn an image into a 3D object you can position, rotate, and frame.
Scene blocking
Combine 3D asset kits to control camera angle, object placement, and depth.
Background removal
Isolate subjects to reuse as props, layers, or backdrops in 2D and 3D scenes.
Prompted editing
Describe a change to an image and apply it with models like Nano Banana Pro or GPT Image.
Canvas editing
Use drawing, masks, and inpainting to say exactly where an image should change.
Models and providers
ArtCraft ships with its own 62-model catalog covering images, video, music and sound, 3D meshes, and worlds. It also connects to third-party providers:
| Provider | What it adds |
|---|---|
| ArtCraft | Images, video, music and sound, 3D meshes, and worlds from its own catalog |
| Grok | Grok Imagine and Grok Video |
| Midjourney | Midjourney image generation |
| Sora | Sora 1, Sora 2, and GPT Image 1 |
| World Labs | Marble world generation with Gaussian splats |
The image lineup includes Nano Banana, GPT Image, FLUX, and Seedream families. Video spans Seedance, Kling, Veo, Sora, Vidu, MiniMax, and Flux. More integrations are planned for Kling, Google, Runway, and Luma.
Download and install
Getting started is quick.
Windows and macOS
Stable releases are on the official site at getartcraft.com. The latest builds also land on the GitHub releases page.
Linux
There is no prebuilt Linux binary yet. Build from source using the instructions in the repo's _docs/dev_setup.md. The codebase is Rust, so you will need a working Rust toolchain.
Build from source
If you want to run your own build on any platform, clone the repository and follow the development setup guide:
git clone https://github.com/storytold/artcraft
Full setup steps are in the repository, including the desktop build and development scripts under script/artcraft.
ArtCraft vs other tools
One thing to get straight: ArtCraft is not a Photoshop or Premiere replacement. It does not do pixel-level photo editing or timeline video editing. It is an AI generation and compositing tool, so the fair comparisons are with other AI generators.
| Tool | What it is | How ArtCraft differs |
|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | Prompt-driven image generator | ArtCraft adds a canvas and 3D scene so you control composition, not just the prompt. |
| ComfyUI | Node-based image pipeline | ArtCraft is a packaged desktop app aimed at artists, not a node graph to configure. |
| Runway / Pika | AI video generators | ArtCraft covers images, video, 3D, and audio in one open-source app. |
| Photoshop | Pixel editor | Different job. ArtCraft generates and composites; it does not replace a photo editor. |
The honest summary: if you already do precise work in Photoshop, keep Photoshop. If you want AI output you can actually direct, and you prefer free and open-source software, ArtCraft is worth trying.
FAQ
Is ArtCraft free?
Yes. The app is open source under MIT or Apache-2.0, so it costs nothing to download and use. Some connected AI models are billed by their own providers.
What platforms does ArtCraft run on?
Stable builds for Windows and macOS are on getartcraft.com. Linux users build from source.
What can ArtCraft generate?
Images, video, music and sound, 3D meshes, and 3D worlds, using its own catalog plus Grok, Midjourney, Sora, and World Labs.
Is ArtCraft a Photoshop replacement?
No. It is an AI generation and compositing tool, closer to a controllable alternative to prompt-only generators than to a pixel editor.
Where do I download ArtCraft?
From getartcraft.com, the GitHub releases page, or by building from source at github.com/storytold/artcraft.
Does ArtCraft need a powerful GPU?
The app itself runs on a normal desktop, but the heavy AI generation happens through connected model providers, so hardware needs depend on which models you use.