Overview
ControlNet separates visual content from spatial control. A prompt can request “princess, arctic tundra, snowing,” while an OpenPose reference determines the character's body position. A prompt can request “mountains, sunset,” while a Canny reference preserves the outline of a different mountain scene.
This is particularly important in complex images with multiple characters or objects. Segmentation and depth references can guide where elements appear, reducing dependence on the prompt's ability to describe exact placement.