Ckrest-comfyui-easy-randomize/QUICK_START.md

Quick Start Guide - Random Selection System

5-Minute Setup

1. Basic Random Selection

What you need: 2 nodes

• ItemPool: Define your items
• RandomSelector: Pick random item(s)

Setup:

[ItemPool]
└─► pool ─► [RandomSelector] ─► selected_string ─► [Your Prompt Node]

Try it:

1. Add ItemPool node
2. In items field, type:

   red shirt
   blue pants
   yellow shoes
   

3. Add RandomSelector, connect pool → pool
4. Set count=1, seed=0
5. Run → see random selection!

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2. Freeze to Lock Selection

After first run:

1. See what RandomSelector picked (check node output or add SelectionRecorder)
2. Like it? Check the frozen checkbox ☑
3. Run again → same selection!
4. Want different? Uncheck frozen ☐, change seed

This is the killer feature: Lock what you like, change what you don't.

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3. Combine Multiple Pools

What you need: 3+ nodes

• Multiple ItemPools (clothing, backgrounds, lighting)
• RandomSelector for each pool
• StringJoiner to combine results

Setup:

[Pool: Clothing] → [Random] ─┐
[Pool: Background] → [Random] ─┼─► [StringJoiner] ─► final prompt
[Pool: Lighting] → [Random] ─┘

Freeze selectively:

• Clothing frozen=☑ → keeps "red dress"
• Background frozen=☐ → tries different backgrounds
• Lighting frozen=☐ → tries different lighting

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4. See What Was Selected

What you need: SelectionRecorder

Setup:

[Random 1] ─► record ─┐
[Random 2] ─► record ─┼─► [SelectionRecorder]
[Random 3] ─► record ─┘

Shows you:

=== Selection Summary ===

1. RandomSelector - clothing 🎲
   Selected: red dress

2. RandomSelector - background 🔒 FROZEN
   Selected: forest

3. RandomSelector - lighting 🎲
   Selected: dramatic

Now you know exactly what's in each generation!

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5. Save with Metadata

What you need: Replace SaveImage with SaveImageWithSelections

Setup:

[Image] ─┐
         ├─► [SaveImageWithSelections]
[SelectionRecorder] ─► combined_json ─┘

Result: Selection data embedded in PNG file forever!

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Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Generate → Review → Freeze → Refine

1. Run with all frozen=☐
2. Review generated images
3. Identify which elements you like
4. Check frozen=☑ on those selectors
5. Re-run with variations on unfrozen parts

Pattern 2: Template-Based Prompts

[Pool: Adj] → [Random] ─┐
[Pool: Char] → [Random] ─┼─► [TemplateFiller]
[Pool: Action] → [Random] ─┤   template: "{slot_1} {slot_2} is {slot_3}"
[Pool: Location] → [Random] ─┘

Pattern 3: Seed Coordination

Same seed (items correlate):

[Pool A] → [Random seed=42] → "red"
[Pool B] → [Random seed=42] → "roses"
Result: Coordinated colors/themes

Different seeds (independent):

[Pool A] → [Random seed=42] → "red"
[Pool B] → [Random seed=99] → "ocean"
Result: Random combinations

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Troubleshooting Checklist

• Pool has items? (not all commented with #)
• Pool connected to selector?
• Frozen state as intended? (☑ = locked, ☐ = random)
• Seed changing if you want new selections?
• SelectionRecorder connected to see what's selected?

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Next Steps

1. Read full guide: RANDOM_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md
2. Experiment with freezing: This is the most powerful feature
3. Save with metadata: Use SaveImageWithSelections to never lose track
4. Build templates: TemplateFiller for structured prompts

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Quick Reference Card

Node	Purpose	Key Input
ItemPool	Store items	items (multiline)
RandomSelector	Pick random	count, seed, frozen
SequentialSelector	Pick by index	index, frozen
StringJoiner	Combine strings	separator
TemplateFiller	Fill template	template + slots
SelectionRecorder	Display selections	records 1-10
SaveImageWithSelections	Save with metadata	selection_json

Remember: The frozen checkbox is your best friend!