Pen2Panel | Devpost

Before
Before
After
After
After
Final comic put together

Inspiration

As avid comic book enthusiasts, we were inspired by the creativity and storytelling potential of the medium. However, we noticed that not everyone has the artistic skills to create intricate comic book panels from scratch. We wanted to bridge this gap by developing an app that allows users to easily turn their stick figure drawings into fully realized comic book panels.

What it does

Pen2Panel is an intuitive app that takes simple stick figure drawings and converts them into detailed comic book panels. Users can register upload images of basic drawings consisting of simple stick figures and backgrounds, provide small descriptions of the images, and the app automatically enhances them to a visually stunning comic book that captures the essence of the user's original sketches.

How we built it

We built Pen2Panel using React with typescript to build the web application, and Next.js and Python were used to handle client/service capabilities and to implement a combination of different generative AIs to help turn the simple sketches into lively comics. Users will also register an account using Auth0 authentication to save all previous projects.

Challenges we ran into

During development, we encountered several challenges, including integrating Auth0, utilizing the Dezgo Image-to-Image API, and generating suitable prompts for consistent comic image creation. Auth0 integration proved complex, requiring us to navigate authentication flows and user session management intricacies. Optimizing the Dezgo API for consistent and visually appealing comic image generation involved extensive experimentation and handling occasional API availability issues. Crafting effective prompts for the API posed another challenge, demanding a delicate balance between user guidance and creative freedom. Despite these hurdles, our team's perseverance and collaboration enabled us to overcome these obstacles, delivering a robust and user-friendly application experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We take pride in achieving the ability to generate a cohesive sequence of comic book panels solely from stick figure drawings, elevating simplistic sketches into dynamic narratives. Our accomplishment extends to the refinement of our UI design, ensuring an intuitive and engaging user experience. Additionally, conquering the challenges of Auth0 integration stands out as a significant achievement. Overcoming the complexities of authentication and seamlessly integrating Auth0 into our application underscored our team's dedication and problem-solving prowess. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to innovation and excellence in delivering a compelling platform for creative expression.

What we learned

Throughout the development process, we gained invaluable experience with several new technologies. Our first foray into Next.js provided us with insights into its capabilities for building powerful and dynamic web applications efficiently. Similarly, navigating the complexities of Auth0 authentication afforded us a deeper understanding of identity management and security protocols within modern applications. Additionally, mastering app routing techniques further honed our skills in delivering seamless and intuitive user experiences. These learning experiences not only expanded our technical toolkit but also reinforced our commitment to continuous growth and adaptation in an ever-evolving landscape of web development.

What's next for Pen2Panel

In the pipeline for Pen2Panel, we're focused on integrating text bubbles and dialogue into comic panels, leveraging advancements in AI. We're also prioritizing enhancements to our database and account management systems for a smoother user experience. Additionally, we're eager to broaden our artistic offerings by incorporating diverse styles, including eastern art styles. Stay tuned as we continue to evolve Pen2Panel, revolutionizing digital comic creation.