Seedream 5.0-Preview Complete Guide: Intelligent Image Generation

Seedream 5.0-Preview introduces three transformative capabilities to AI image generation: real-time web search, precise editing control, and intelligent logical reasoning. This preview release prioritizes knowledge and intelligence over pure aesthetics—making it the most capable model for complex, knowledge-driven creative tasks.

For pure visual beauty and photorealism, Seedream 4.5 remains the recommended choice. The full 5.0 release will combine both intelligence and aesthetics.

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Key Highlights

Capability	Description
Real-time Web Search	Generate images based on current events, trending topics, and real-world knowledge
Precise Editing Control	Accurate instruction following, feature transfer, and example-based editing
Intelligent Reasoning	Multi-step logic, spatial understanding, and domain-specific knowledge
Resolution	2K and 4K output support

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1. Real-Time Web Search

Seedream 5.0-Preview is the first image generation model to support search-based generation. This enables creation tied to current events, celebrity appearances, brand identities, and localized content.

When Search Activates

The model intelligently determines when to search based on your prompt:

• Time-sensitive terms (recent product releases, current events)
• Specific entities (celebrities, brands, locations)
• Long-tail queries (niche topics requiring factual accuracy)

Enabling search doesn’t guarantee a search will occur—the model decides based on context.

Use Cases

Product Concepts

Generate iPhone 17 Pro Max

The model searches for the latest design rumors and leaks to create a plausible concept.

Celebrity and Cultural References

Jingdezhen Chicken Cutlet Guy at the beach at sunset,
film photography aesthetic portrait

Recognizes regional internet personalities and generates appropriate imagery.

Brand-Accurate Design

Reference the Duolingo app interface, design a vocabulary
flashcard page with word and streak counter, incorporate
the green owl mascot

Searches for current brand assets to maintain visual consistency.

Event-Specific Content

Generate a Nordic Winter Olympics poster: Norwegian aurora
background, skier in national uniform, include Olympic
elements and mascot

Pulls current Olympic branding and national team designs.

Important Notes

• Search results require verification for accuracy and copyright compliance
• Not all prompts trigger search—time-sensitive or highly specific terms increase likelihood
• Works best for publicly documented subjects with strong web presence

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2. Precise Editing Control

Instruction Following

5.0-Preview dramatically reduces the gap between what you describe and what you get. The model accurately interprets spatial relationships, quantities, and specific details.

Spatial Relationships

A bear and a donkey playing on a seesaw, the donkey is
much heavier than the bear

The model understands weight distribution and shows the seesaw tilting correctly.

Precise Details

A metal alarm clock, the black thick hour hand points to 8,
the red thin minute hand points to 1

Clock hands appear exactly as specified with correct colors and positions.

Complex Compositions

Based on the reference image, extract a fashion flat-lay
photo: include the outfit the person is wearing and the
props they're holding

Image Compositing

Combine Image 1 and Image 2 into a single image

Generate waves approaching the bow of a cargo ship with
black and red hull, creating visible disturbance

Environment Replacement

Replace the overcast sky with a vivid sunset backdrop,
warm orange tones

Feature Transfer

Extract and apply specific visual characteristics from reference images:

Color Grading

Change Image 1's color tone to match Image 2's color tone

Makeup Transfer

Transfer the makeup from Image 2 onto the person in Image 1

Brand Style Application

Apply Image 1's brand design style to the aromatherapy
product in Image 2, create a similar brand series
promotional image, include all modules from Image 1

Design Language Transfer

Identify the four cups in Image 2, reference the holographic
design in Image 1, create a similar style poster for Image 2

Example-Based Editing

The model learns transformation patterns from before/after examples and applies them to new images.

Standard Pattern

Reference the change from Image 1 to Image 2, apply the
same operation to Image 3

Applications:

• Hairstyle changes: Show a before/after hairstyle example, apply to a new portrait
• Scene changes: Demonstrate an environment swap, replicate on different images
• Material changes: Show a texture transformation, apply to new objects
• Perspective changes: Demonstrate a viewpoint shift, apply to similar compositions

This eliminates the need to describe complex transformations—just show what you want.

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3. Intelligent Logical Reasoning

Multi-Step Reasoning

5.0-Preview handles complex operations that require understanding context and making decisions.

Classification and Distribution

Classify the flowers in Image 1 by variety, arrange them
separately in the three vases shown in Image 2

The model identifies flower types, groups them logically, and distributes them appropriately.

Content Placement

Add Images 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 to the white blank areas
in Image 1

Understands spatial constraints and arranges content to fit.

Contextual Positioning

Place the three people from Image 1 into appropriate
positions in Image 2

Analyzes the scene and determines logical placement based on context.

Object Manipulation

Melt all the ice around the two silver fish with red fins

Understands material properties and physical transformations.

Biological Reasoning

Generate what the two tadpoles in the image will look
like when they grow up

Applies biological knowledge to predict development.

Design Expansion

Design a VI product suite around the logo, including IP
character, packaging, postcards, and 6 merchandise items

Understands brand design principles and creates cohesive collections.

Physical World Knowledge

The model understands real-world constraints and produces physically plausible results.

Accurate Measurements

Two stationery rulers, top is a 20cm plastic ruler,
bottom is a 10cm steel ruler

Produces correctly proportioned objects with appropriate materials.

3D Understanding

Generate the 3D assembled form based on the packaging
flat layout diagram

Converts 2D templates into accurate 3D representations.

Spatial Reasoning

Unfold and lay out the table and chairs flat

Assemble a bicycle using all the images provided

Understands how parts relate and combine.

Domain-Specific Knowledge

Built-in professional knowledge across multiple fields:

Architecture

Reference this set of CAD drawings, generate a realistic
building visualization

Interprets technical drawings and produces accurate architectural renders.

Scientific Illustration

Create a "Photosynthesis Core Explanation" diagram with
left-right layout. Include core principles, material and
energy flow, and educational value

An English petroleum system infographic showing oil
drilling platform and geological layers

Geography and Landmarks

Identify the landmark buildings in the image and annotate
relevant information on the image

Health and Nutrition

Identify the food calories in the image and annotate the
information on the image

Anatomy

Human respiratory system anterior view diagram showing:
nasal cavity, nostrils, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx,
trachea, left and right main bronchi, left and right
lungs, and diaphragm

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Model Version Comparison

Choose the right Seedream version for your use case:

Version	Positioning	Best For	Text-to-Image	Editing	Multi-Image	Web Search
5.0-Preview	Knowledge & Reasoning	Trending topics, information recognition, logical tasks	✅	✅	✅	✅
4.5	Deep Editing	Portraits, aesthetics, visual beauty, multi-image generation	✅	✅	✅	-
4.0	High Efficiency	Fast iteration, cost optimization, agile production	✅	✅	✅	-
3.1	Artistic Beauty	Cinematic quality, professional photography, precise styling	✅	-	-	-
3.0	Typography	Poster design, accurate text rendering, layout composition	✅	-	-	-

When to Use Each Version

5.0-Preview

• Current events and trending topics
• Image information extraction and annotation
• Complex logical reasoning tasks
• Domain-specific technical content

Limitations: Some AI-generated appearance, occasional proportion issues, text structure instability, limited chart/data reasoning

4.5

• Portrait photography and human subjects
• Advertising and commercial imagery
• Product photography
• High aesthetic requirements

Limitations: Occasional blur or cropping issues, higher cost and generation time

4.0

• Storyboards and sequential content
• Rapid iteration and prototyping
• Style transfer and editing
• Cost-sensitive production

Limitations: Small text may repeat or degrade, editing accuracy lower than 4.5

3.1

• Cinematic and artistic photography
• Light and shadow mastery
• Creative stylization
• Portrait aesthetics

Limitations: Lower text-image alignment than 3.0, some structural instability

3.0

• Poster and graphic design
• Accurate text rendering
• Professional typography
• Layout-focused compositions

Limitations: Limited implicit logic reasoning, weaker in strict industry standards

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Best Practices

1. Match model to task: Use 5.0-Preview for knowledge tasks, 4.5 for beauty, 4.0 for speed

2. Be specific with search prompts: Include dates, proper nouns, and specific details to improve search accuracy

3. Use example-based editing: For complex transformations, showing before/after examples is more effective than describing the change

4. Leverage feature transfer: Extract specific attributes (color, style, makeup) rather than trying to describe them from scratch

5. Break down complex reasoning: For multi-step operations, describe each step clearly in your prompt

6. Verify search-generated content: Always check factual accuracy and copyright compliance for search-based generations

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What’s Next

Seedream 5.0-Preview represents the intelligence layer of next-generation image generation. The full 5.0 release will combine these reasoning capabilities with the aesthetic quality of 4.5, delivering both intelligence and beauty in a single model.

We welcome feedback on the preview—your input shapes the final release.