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ComfyUI: A Simple and Efficient Stable Diffusion GUI
ComfyUI is a user-friendly interface that lets you create complex stable diffusion workflows with a node-based system. You don’t need any coding skills to use it. Before you install ComfyUI, make sure you follow our prerequisite guide [here]. This will prepare you for using other tools like Automatic1111 and InvokeAI as well.
ComfyUI works with different versions of stable diffusion, such as SD1.x, SD2.x, and SDXL. It also runs smoothly on devices with low GPU vram. It has an asynchronous queue system and optimization features that save time and improve efficiency. You can use ComfyUI offline without any downloads.
ComfyUI is a powerful and versatile tool for stable diffusion. Don’t be scared by the technical terms. Just follow our installation guide and start creating amazing images from text.
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Table of Contents:
ComfyUI Hot Keys
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Step 1: Initiate Download
Start by visiting this GitHub link and scrolling down until you find the "Direct link to download". Clicking on it will initiate the download. Alternatively, you can directly Download from here.
Step 2: Extract the Downloaded File
Upon completion, you'll find a file titled "ComfyUI_windows_portable_nvidia_cu118_or_cpu".
Extract it using your preferred software (e.g., 7zip)
Open the "ComfyUI_windows_portable" folder.
Inside, you'll find two installation options. 1. "run_cpu" for users with less powerful GPUs 2. "run_nvidia_gpu" for those with capable GPUs.
In this guide, we'll use "run_nvidia_gpu" because most of us will probably have a GPU.
Step 3: Choose Installation Location
Move the extracted folder to your desired installation location. You also have the option to extract the file directly within this folder.
Step 4: Installing the ComfyUI Manager
The ComfyUI Manager is a tool that helps you manage the custom nodes and workflows in ComfyUI. It allows you to install, update, enable, disable, and delete the nodes and workflows that you need. It also provides a web interface where you can see the information and documentation of all the available nodes and workflows. The ComfyUI Manager is not part of the original ComfyUI software and is developed by a third-party developer named ltdrdata, but it is pretty much a standard tool you should have in the UI so it is part of this installation process.
In this step, I will use Github Desktop to update the file. It is the least technical way to do it.
You can learn how to use Github Desktop here: Prerequisites Installation Guide
To clone and install the ComfyUI Manager repository, follow these steps:
Open Github Desktop and go to File > Clone Repository > URL
Copy and paste this URL in the Repository URL space: https://github.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Manager
In Local Path, go to your ComfyUI installation folder > ComfyUI > custom_nodes folder
Click Clone and wait for the process to finish
You have successfully cloned the ComfyUI Manager repository. You can now use it to install and update custom nodes and workflows in ComfyUI.
With the ComfyUI Manager, you can do the following:
Install custom nodes that you need for your stable diffusion projects
Install missing custom nodes that are required by other user’s workflows
Update ComfyUI to the latest version and get new features and bug fixes
Install models that are compatible with different versions of stable diffusion
The ComfyUI Manager is a useful tool that makes your work easier and faster. I will explain more about it in a future blog post. Stay tuned!
Step 5: Set Up Models
Option 1- Using models from A1111 folder.
If you're an A1111 user with various models in the Stable Diffusion Models folder:
Locate the "extra_model_paths.yaml.example" file Rename it by removing ".example". ComfyUI Installation folder > ComyUI folder > "extra_model_paths.yaml.example"
Right Click > Edit it with notepad.
Update the line "base_path: path/to/stable-diffusion-webui/" to your A1111 Installation folder's directory. For me it is "base_path: D:\A1111-SDXL"
Save the file and Close.
Double click to start "run_nvidia_gpu". It should automatically open the UI. If not, then To see the GUI go to > example: "http://111.0.0.1:1111" in your browser.
Done. Enjoy ComfyUI!
Option 2- Download your models from Civitai.com
For this option, Do not change the "extra_model_paths.yaml.example" . Leave it as is.
If you don't have any models yet, consider downloading a model such as SDXL 1.0 or any fine-tuned model on Civitai.com. Try this popular one! DreamShaper. If you don't have the SDXL 1.0 models yet, Download it here.
After downloading, navigate to your ComfyUI folder, then "models" > "checkpoints", and place your models there.
Double click to start "run_nvidia_gpu". It should automatically open the UI. If not, then To see the GUI go to > example: "http://111.0.0.1:1111" in your browser.
Done. Enjoy ComfyUI!
More information on SDXL 1.0 Here.
Final Step: Updating ComfyUI (Optional Step)
ComfyUI also provides an easy update mechanism.
To update, simply navigate to the update folder,
Run the "update_comfyui" batch file, and your ComfyUI will be updated!
ComfyUI Hot Keys
For more information on ComfyUI, take a look at their Github.
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Got a question or Requests? Leave a comment below to let me know if this information becomes outdated. I will do my best to keep this blog updated as time goes on.
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How to Install Stable Diffusion:
How to Install Stable Diffusion Web UI (Complete Installation)
Prerequisites Installation Guide to Stable Diffusion's Web UI's
How to Install Stable Diffusion SDXL 1.0: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Install ComfyUI: A Streamlined Process for Enhanced Workflow
How to Install InvokeAI 3.0: A Cleaner Web UI for Stable Diffusion
