> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.404.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.404.xyz/404-gen-user-guide/getting-started/404-gen-prompt-guide.md).

# 404—GEN Prompt Guide

A prompt is a short text phrase or an image that **404—GEN** interprets to generate a 3D Model. This guide covers how to craft effective prompts and refine your inputs for the highest-quality 3D assets.

### Text Prompts

When writing text prompts, the golden rule is to describe a single 3D object that can be observed from multiple angles.

* **Good Example:** "<mark style="color:$success;">**cute grey bunny rabbit with big eyes**</mark>" (Defines a clear, isolated subject).
* **Bad Example:** "<mark style="color:$success;">**a blue sky with stars**</mark>" (An environment/background, not a single object).

#### Best Practices for Text

* **Be Specific:** Single nouns without descriptors (e.g., "table") are too broad and yield poor results. Instead, use descriptive phrasing (e.g., "<mark style="color:$success;">**round wooden coffee table**</mark>").
* **Length Matters:** Prompts that are at least 3 words long consistently produce the best results.
* **Use Style & Material Keywords:** Experiment with aesthetic keywords to guide the generation. Examples include: *Anime, Cyberpunk, Mid-Century Modern, Papercraft, Realistic/High Definition.*

{% hint style="info" icon="lightbulb-exclamation" %}
**Tip**: Don't be discouraged if your first generation isn't perfect. Try slightly rewording your description, or simply resubmit the same prompt to see a new variation.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/2SwHcaq59WisbA0Ywl4Q" alt="" width="506"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Image Prompts

For the best results, upload a high-quality image of an isolated object.

#### Technical Requirements

* **Aspect Ratio:** Square images (1:1) work best.
* **Dimensions:** The ideal image size is **1024 × 1024** pixels. Smaller images risk creating low-quality models, while higher-resolution images generally improve asset fidelity.

<figure><img src="/files/jsh0tJ5BidDOxYXU6SMH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Composition Guidelines

| **Do** 👍                                                       | **Don't** **❌**                                                                  |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Center the object and ensure it is fully visible (not cropped). | Avoid busy or cluttered backgrounds that distract the generator.                 |
| Use a solid white background behind the object.                 | Avoid transparent backgrounds, as these can cause rendering artifacts.           |
| Focus on solid, well-defined shapes.                            | Avoid thin or entangled objects (e.g., fine wire mesh, intricate tree branches). |