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Image Generation with GPT-4

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the image_generation tool in OpenAI’s API to generate images and save them to your local machine.

Prerequisites​

Install the OpenAI SDK:

pip install openai

The Code​

from openai import OpenAI
import base64

client = OpenAI()

response = client.responses.create(
    model="gpt-4.1-mini",
    input="Generate an image of gray tabby cat hugging an otter with an orange scarf",
    tools=[{"type": "image_generation"}],
)

# Save the image to a file
image_data = [
    output.result
    for output in response.output
    if output.type == "image_generation_call"
]

if image_data:
    image_base64 = image_data[0]
    with open("cat_and_otter.png", "wb") as f:
        f.write(base64.b64decode(image_base64))

Explanation​

  • tools=[{"type": "image_generation"}]: Tells the model to produce an image.
  • output.result: Contains the image in base64 format.
  • base64.b64decode(...): Converts the image into binary and writes to a file.

Use Case​

Great for:

  • Artistic illustrations
  • Generating story images or thumbnails
  • Creative automation and visual storytelling