Element was previously called Character in Flowy. You may still see “character” in a few internal places (the node type, saved-library naming), but the canvas label, shortcut, and this feature are the same thing.
What it carries
An Element bundles an identity lock (text describing the subject) with a set of compiled reference views. The images that show the subject from different angles or in different contexts. Both travel together whenever you connect the node, so downstream generation gets the full identity, not just a single picture.Connect it
The Element node itself accepts nothing. It’s a reference source, not something you generate into. Wire its output into:- Image: up to 3 Elements per Image node.
- Video: Elements share the same combined budget as connected images (9 total in Default mode, 3 in Compose mode).
- Flam: Elements share the same combined budget as connected images (9 total).
Keep a subject consistent
The main reason to use an Element instead of just connecting reference images directly:- Reuse across nodes: save a character or product once, then connect it anywhere on the canvas (or in future projects) instead of re-uploading references each time.
- Identity lock: the compiled reference views plus identity text travel together, so a subject reads as the same one across shots even as the images generated from it change.
- Missing-source safety: if the saved Element behind a node is deleted or no longer shared with you, the node keeps its last-known snapshot for display but blocks new connections and generations until it’s replaced.
API
Elements are backed by the/v1/elements resource on the backend: the same identity your saved characters live under in your workspace library.