Ever generated an AI image that's 99% perfect, but has one tiny, annoying flaw? ?? Maybe the character has six fingers, the background is a bit off, or you just wish you could add a different object into the scene. Well, stop just generating and start creating! Learning how to edit an image in Leonardo AI is the secret weapon you need. Using the incredibly powerful AI Canvas, you can fix mistakes, add new elements, and even expand your images, turning you from a prompt-writer into a true digital artist. Let's dive in and unlock your full creative control! ??
Step 1: Enter the AI Canvas & Set Up Your Workspace
First things first, you need to know where the magic happens! The heart of all image editing in Leonardo AI is the AI Canvas. To get there, look at the main menu on the left side of your screen and click on 'AI Canvas'. It's your new digital art studio! ?? Once inside, you have two main options to start your project. You can either upload an image directly from your computer (perfect for editing real photos or art from other platforms) or you can select an image you've previously generated within Leonardo AI from your 'Personal Feed'. Once your image is loaded onto the canvas, take a moment to get familiar with the layout. You'll see your image in the centre, a toolbar on the left with tools like Pan, Select, and Erase, and a control panel on the right with generation settings. The most important part is the 'generation frame' – a bounding box that shows the area the AI will work on. You can move this box around to decide where your edits will happen. Getting comfortable with this workspace is the first step to making precise, professional-level edits.
Step 2: Master the Mighty Masking Tool
This is arguably the most important skill for editing in Leonardo AI. The Masking tool is how you tell the AI *exactly* where you want to make a change. Think of it like putting painter's tape on a wall before you paint. ??? From the toolbar on the left, select the 'Mask' tool. You can now 'paint' over the part of your image you want to change. For example, if you want to change a character's T-shirt, you would carefully paint a mask over the entire shirt. You can adjust the brush size to be super precise for small details or cover large areas quickly. Made a mistake? No problem! Just switch to the 'Erase' tool to clean up the edges of your mask. A pro tip is to make your mask slightly larger than the object you want to replace, which helps the AI blend the new generation more seamlessly. Getting your mask right is 90% of the battle. A clean, accurate mask results in a clean, believable edit. Take your time with this step – precision here will pay off big time! ?
Step 3: Inpainting - Magically Change What's Inside
With your mask perfectly in place, it's time for the real magic: **Inpainting**! Inpainting means filling the masked (selected) area with something new based on your text prompt. Let's stick with our T-shirt example. After masking the shirt, you go to the prompt box on the right-hand panel and describe what you want to see instead. Don't just type 'a new shirt'. Be descriptive! Try something like, "a black leather jacket with silver zips, photorealistic". Then, you hit the 'Generate' button. Leonardo AI will then look at your masked area, read your prompt, and generate several new options that fit your description right inside the masked selection. You can then choose the one you like best. This is perfect for fixing weird hands, changing clothing, adding a tattoo to a character, or swapping an object on a table. Remember to play with the 'Guidance Strength' – a higher value makes the AI stick more closely to your prompt, while a lower value gives it more creative freedom. ??
Step 4: Outpainting - Expand Your Creative Universe
What if your image is great but feels a bit too... cropped? That's where **Outpainting** comes in! Outpainting is the process of extending your image beyond its original borders. To do this, you need to move the generation frame so that it partially overlaps with the edge of your existing image and partially covers the empty canvas space. For example, if you have a portrait and want to see more of the landscape around the person, you'd place the generation frame over the left edge of the image. The AI needs the overlapping section for context, to understand what it needs to continue. Then, you write a prompt that describes the scene you want to create in the new area, such as "a beautiful, sprawling fantasy forest with tall trees and dappled sunlight". Hit 'Generate', and Leonardo AI will seamlessly extend the original picture, creating a wider, more complete scene. You can do this on all four sides, turning a simple portrait into an epic landscape! ???
Step 5: Advanced Moves - Image to Image & Final Touches
Ready for some pro-level techniques? ?? Within the AI Canvas, you can also use 'Image to Image'. This allows you to upload a *second* image as a reference for your generation. For instance, you could mask an area and, along with your prompt, upload a reference picture of a specific pattern or style you want the AI to mimic. This gives you even more granular control. Another great feature is 'Scribble to Image'. You can literally scribble a rough shape with the mask tool and prompt the AI to turn it into a detailed object, like drawing a rough circle in the sky and prompting "a full moon". Once you are happy with all your edits, you can click the 'Download artwork' button to save your masterpiece. Don't forget that every time you generate, Leonardo gives you a few options. Click through them to find the perfect one before you commit. Mastering these final touches is what separates good edits from jaw-dropping ones. ??
Frequently Asked Questions (FQA)
Q1: Does editing images in Leonardo AI's Canvas cost tokens?
A: Yes, every time you click the 'Generate' button within the AI Canvas to perform an inpainting or outpainting action, it consumes tokens from your allowance, similar to generating a new image.
Q2: Can I edit photos that I didn't create with Leonardo AI?
A: Absolutely! You can upload any image from your computer directly to the AI Canvas and use all the editing tools on it. This is great for restoring old photos or adding fantasy elements to your own pictures.
Q3: What's the main difference between inpainting and outpainting?
A: It's simple: Inpainting changes or adds details *inside* the original image borders (e.g., changing a shirt). Outpainting extends the image *outside* its original borders (e.g., making the background wider).
Q4: The AI isn't creating what I want. What am I doing wrong?
A: This is usually one of two things. First, check your mask – make sure it's clean and accurately covers the area you want to change. Second, refine your prompt. Be more descriptive and specific about what you want to see. For example, instead of "a dog", try "a golden retriever puppy sitting on the grass, happy expression".
Ultimately, the ability to edit an image in Leonardo AI is what truly unlocks creative freedom. It moves you beyond the luck of the draw and puts the power firmly in your hands. The AI Canvas is your playground for fixing, refining, and expanding your artistic vision. Don't be afraid to experiment with the tools. The more you use them, the more intuitive they'll become. Now go on and turn those 'almost perfect' images into undeniable masterpieces! ??
