## When to use Unify

Unify is designed for designers who want to quickly validate how a concept lives in space. It’s visually controlled so you can place and arrange elements first, then Unify blends them together. Use Unify when you want to:

- Place a concept into a real environment to check **scale, proportion, and fit.**
- Layer multiple objects into one cohesive scene.
- Explore layout quickly while keeping full visual control.
- Validate spatial relationships early in the process.
- Create review-ready visuals fast.

Unify is especially useful during early validation and presentation prep when speed and clarity matter.

## When to use Unify vs Modify

Both tools accelerate ideation, but at different moments in your workflow. **Use Modify** when you want to explore new directions.  
Modify is prompt-driven and more directive, ideal for generating variations, pushing stylistic changes, or exploring alternate forms and details. **Use Unify** when you want to ground what you’ve already created.  
Unify is visually controlled and intentional, best for placing a concept into real context, matching lighting and shadows, layering objects, and validating scale quickly. **Quick rule of thumb:**

- Modify = explore the idea
- Unify = place the idea in context

## How to use Unify

Unify is available to all Vizcom Studio users. In **Studio**:

- Open a canvas.
- Select your subject or layer.
- Go to **Adjust → Unify**.

Unify lives alongside tools like **Enhance** and **Remove Background**.

1. **Add a Background**  
   Start by defining the environment your object will live in. Import or add a background image such as:
   - A real-world environment (desk, room, street, hand, body, etc.)
   - A CMF or mood scene
   - A material or lighting reference
   Place the background at the bottom of your layer stack.

2. **Prepare Your Object**  
   Bring in the object you want to composite. This can be:
   - A Vizcom render
   - An imported image
   - An enhanced sketch
   - A layer with background already removed

3. **Position and Scale**  
   Before unifying:
   - Set approximate scale
   - Align to perspective
   - Place the object where it would naturally sit
   
   Unify works best when placement is close to your intended final result.

4. **Click Unify**  
   With your subject selected:
   - Go to the **Adjust Panel**
   - Click **Unify**
   
   Unify will automatically:
   - Blend the subject into the background
   - Match lighting direction and intensity
   - Generate realistic shadows
   - Harmonize tone and contrast

5. **Continue Iterating**  
   After Unify, you can:
   - Adjust layout or scale
   - Add additional objects
   - Unify again for repeated scene refinement

Unify supports fast, iterative compositing.

## Best Practices

- **Start with clean cutouts.** Remove Background first if needed.
- **Match perspective early.** Align horizon line and camera angle before unifying.
- **Layer intentionally.** Unify excels when building product families, kits, ecosystems, or CMF sets.
- **Use it for early validation.** Check ergonomics, spatial relationships, and visual weight.
- **Add multiple items at once.** For best results, place all intended objects before unifying.

## Tips

- Try a different background if lighting feels too extreme.
- Use Enhance after Unifying to increase clarity.
- Keep subjects visually distinct when layering multiple.
- Avoid heavy overlaps unless intentional.

## Known Limitations

Unify is optimized for speed and visual alignment. Results may vary based on input quality.

- Very complex lighting (e.g., neon, multiple strong light sources) may require a second pass.
- Busy backgrounds can reduce shadow clarity.
- Low-resolution images may produce softer blending.
- Rough edges on subjects may remain visible after blending.

## FAQ

- **Do I need to write prompts to use Unify?**
  No. Unify is one-click and visually controlled.
- **Can I use Unify with multiple objects?**
  Yes. Layer and position multiple subjects first, then Unify to harmonize the entire scene.
- **Does Unify flatten my layers?**
  No. Your layout remains editable. You can continue moving, layering, and iterating after using Unify.

## Next Steps

- Use **Remove Background** before Unify for cleaner composites.
- Try **Enhance** after Unifying to polish the final image.
- Combine with **Modify** to explore variations before grounding them in context.
- Export your unified scene for presentations or stakeholder reviews.