
Editor's note: This post is part of the AI Decoded series, which demystifies AI by making the technology more accessible, and showcases new hardware, software, tools and accelerations for RTX PC users.
Generative models have completely transformed the AI landscape - headlined by popular apps such as ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion.
Paving the way for this boom were foundational AI models and generative adversarial networks (GANs), which sparked a leap in productivity and creativity.
NVIDIA's GauGAN, which powers the NVIDIA Canvas app, is one such model that uses AI to transform rough sketches into photorealistic artwork.
How It All BeGAN GANs are deep learning models that involve two complementary neural networks: a generator and a discriminator.
These neural networks compete against each other. The generator attempts to create realistic, lifelike imagery, while the discriminator tries to tell the difference between what's real and what's generated. As its neural networks keep challenging each other, GANs get better and better at making realistic-looking samples.
GANs excel at understanding complex data patterns and creating high-quality results. They're used in applications including image synthesis, style transfer, data augmentation and image-to-image translation.
NVIDIA's GauGAN, named after post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin, is an AI demo for photorealistic image generation. Built by NVIDIA Research, it directly led to the development of the NVIDIA Canvas app - and can be experienced for free through the NVIDIA AI Playground.
GauGAN has been wildly popular since it debuted at NVIDIA GTC in 2019 - used by art teachers, creative agencies, museums and millions more online.
Giving Sketch to Scenery a Gogh Powered by GauGAN and local NVIDIA RTX GPUs, NVIDIA Canvas uses AI to turn simple brushstrokes into realistic landscapes, displaying results in real time.
Users can start by sketching simple lines and shapes with a palette of real-world elements like grass or clouds -- referred to in the app as materials.
The AI model then generates the enhanced image on the other half of the screen in real time. For example, a few triangular shapes sketched using the mountain material will appear as a stunning, photorealistic range. Or users can select the cloud material and with a few mouse clicks transform environments from sunny to overcast.
The creative possibilities are endless - sketch a pond, and other elements in the image, like trees and rocks, will reflect in the water. Change the material from snow to grass, and the scene shifts from a cozy winter setting to a tropical paradise.
Canvas offers nine different styles, each with 10 variations and 20 materials to play with. Canvas features a Panorama mode that enables artists to create 360-degree images for use in 3D apps. YouTuber Greenskull AI demonstrated Panorama mode by painting an ocean cove, before then importing it into Unreal Engine 5.
Download the NVIDIA Canvas app to get started.
Consider exploring NVIDIA Broadcast, another AI-powered content creation app that transforms any room into a home studio. Broadcast is free for RTX GPU owners.
Generative AI is transforming gaming, videoconferencing and interactive experiences of all kinds. Make sense of what's new and what's next by subscribing to the AI Decoded newsletter.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
24/06/2026
Plus: VoiceAssist Basic now available to UA LUNA users
NoiseWorks Audio have just released an update that adds a new Mouth De-Click module to the Advanced t...
24/06/2026
New heavy-duty mic stand joins range
The latest arrival to Gator's Frameworks family introduces a new heavy-duty boom stand that's been designed for...
24/06/2026
Latest major plug-in update goes live
Waves have just announced that the latest major update for their hugely popular plug-in range is now officially availa...
24/06/2026
When assessing cellular coverage, many people look at the signal bars displayed on a smartphone, router or modem. More bars are often assumed to mean better per...
24/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz THORIS sets new standard for counter UAS defense At Eurosatory 2026, Rohde & Schwarz is unveiling THORIS, a German engineered, sovereign count...
24/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz expands voice communications modernization program for Egyptian ...
24/06/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
24/06/2026
Streaming sets record high of 46.6% of ad supported TV viewing, driven by Super Bowl and Winter Olympics; overall share of ad supported TV remains steady
NEW Y...
24/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/06/2026
RE:Vision Effects Announces Twixtor Standalone v 8.1 and a Sale!
Brie Clayton June 24, 2026
0 Comments
Twixtor v8.1 Standalone adds support for variab...
24/06/2026
Dreamtek Uses Full Blackmagic Workflow for Vercel Next JS Event
Brie Clayton June 24, 2026
0 Comments
Blackmagic cameras, switchers, routers, recorder...
24/06/2026
Chyron LIVE Unveils New Features: Haivision StreamHub Integration, SCTE-35 Ad In...
24/06/2026
Mapping an Education How composer Chloe Clarke Smith navigated her Boston Conservatory experience and brought new meaning to her work
June 24, 2026
By
Sara...
24/06/2026
The Next Act Dean Krisha Marcano's vision for a connected Theater Division, and the fund making it possible
June 24, 2026
Photo by Eric Antoniou
The Or...
24/06/2026
Announcing STAGES Magazine 2026 Marking a decade since Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music joined forces, this issue spotlights some of the groun...
24/06/2026
In Brazil's TV 3.0 Trials, Appear's X5 is transporting live signals from Bras lia to S o Paulo over the public internet using secure, reliable next-gene...
24/06/2026
Melbourne, Australia - 24 June 2026: Mediaproxy, the global standard for software-based IP compliance monitoring and multiviewing solutions, has named Heartland...
24/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/06/2026
First Rush Brings SDI Multicam ProRes Recording to Apple Silicon Macs
Brie Clayton June 23, 2026
0 Comments
First Rush is a native macOS application d...
24/06/2026
Vertical Drama Beneath Crimson Sails Created with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton June 23, 2026
0 Comments
Thunder Child Productions relies on cameras&...
24/06/2026
X-Rite Pantone Adds MSI PRO MAX Displays to Pantone Validated Program for Proven...
24/06/2026
24th June 2026, London: Dara Briain will host brand new comedy entertainment series Dara's Dull Appreciation Society (4x40') celebrating members of th...
24/06/2026
Wednesday 24 June 2026
Sky reveals wild new trailer and images for Shaun the Sh...
24/06/2026
Why Dynamic Media Facilities Matter In this series, we explore the technologies, architectures and operational realities shaping modern media operations. Along ...
24/06/2026
Comscore Announces Partnership with Amazon DSP to Expand Content Addressability ...
24/06/2026
From Cork to Limerick to Earagail:
RT is supporting 21 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this July
RT Supporting the Arts is delighted to spotlight...
23/06/2026
When we began planning our transition from an SDI-based infrastructure to a new ...
23/06/2026
Imagine Communications has announced the appointment of Greg Garmon as Senior Vice President, Americas Video Sales. Garmon will oversee account growth and busin...
23/06/2026
Snap has promoted Emma Wakely to Head of Sports and Media Partnerships, Americas, succeeding Anmol Malhotra, who has been elevated to Global Head of Content and...
23/06/2026
YES Network and The Gotham Sports App will air MI New York's Major League Cr...
23/06/2026
The Universal Talent Identifier (HAND) has issued HAND IDs to 34 top projected prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft class, including AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and...
23/06/2026
World Boxing has announced the launch of World Boxing TV, a subscription-based streaming platform built on the Joymo platform, offering live events, on-demand c...
23/06/2026
FloSports will stream 32 off-road motorcycle racing events on FloRacing, includi...
23/06/2026
SES has announced the expansion of its ASTRA TV platform in Spain with the addition of 14 regional channels in HD and UHD quality and the launch of new hybrid s...
23/06/2026
Appear ASA has announced its role in Rede Legislativa de R dio e TV's contri...
23/06/2026
LTN has announced that PBS has selected it as its IP video partner to modernize content distribution and contribution across more than 330 public television sta...
23/06/2026
Ease Live has announced that its graphics overlay platform is powering an interactive fan experience on Rally.TV, the official streaming platform of the FIA Wor...
23/06/2026
Chyron has announced updates to Chyron LIVE, its cloud-native live production pl...
23/06/2026
ESPN has announced ESPN Fan House, a fan engagement hub powered by Flowcode, launching in August ahead of the 2026 college football season. Publicis Sports will...
23/06/2026
The city's solid position in broadcast, entertainment, and sports attracted the major microphone manufacturer
Sennheiser Group is moving its Americas Regio...
23/06/2026
128 channels of signal routing & DSP
Announced just before the NAMM Show 2026, Violet Audio's latest digital audio matrix offers 128 channels of signal ...
23/06/2026
Latest Current expansion created by EPROM
Minimal Audio have just launched the latest Current Expansion, Memory Rites. Designed in collaboration with renown...