One of the most positive aspects of the “algorithmic explosion” is access to new applications that allow us to enlarge images without losing quality. We have previously talked about Waifu2x-ncnn-Vulkan GUI Edition Reloaded, Real-ESRGAN-GUI and AI Image Upscaler, all of them with different models and advanced parameters. However, the Latent-SR project joins this list by offering a web version of Latent Diffusion Super Resolution, one of the most powerful upscalers.
Enlarging images is a simple process, but getting good results is a completely different story. Each image presents its own challenges, and more often than not we find tools that favor a specific type of content. For example, we know very well that Waifu2x prefers manga and anime images, but when it comes to photographs, it is not the best option. Something similar happens with pixel art: An algorithm that is too aggressive usually destroys detail, but if we keep the correct dimensions, a pinch of “nearest neighbor” is more than enough.
Thanks to the development of Stable Diffusion and other similar models, today we have access to one of the most robust upscalers on the market, which is Latent Diffusion Super Resolution or LDSR. Any user interested in using LDSR locally can install Stable Diffusion and access its tools section, but if the available hardware is limited, there is another path: Latent-SR.
How to enlarge images with LDSR on Latent-SR
All we have to do to get started is load our image on the site, set the upscaler multiplier, and configure the number of steps. This section is very important, because the waiting time depends on it. LDSR does not prioritize speed: Processing a 1024x1024 image at 4x with 50 steps takes between 12 and 15 minutes. If we leave the number of steps at its default of 100, the wait extends to 25 minutes.
Even so, that delay is definitely worth it. From my own experience, I can add that LDSR works best keeping the 4x multiplier, but the factory 100 steps are usually unnecessary. Latent-SR shows the evolution of upscaling in the right section of the interface, and once finished we can share the image online, or download a copy in PNG format.
The only detail left to mention about Latent-SR is... its price. As with other online tools that use artificial intelligence, Latent-SR grants a limited number of free uses, and then invites us to enter one of four subscriptions: CPU, Nvidia T4, Nvidia A100 40 GB, and Nvidia A100 80 GB. Prices range from 0.01 to 0.19 dollars per minute of processing.
Official site: Click here.
