Guide to AI Inpainting with Image Editor

Want to remove, recolor, or add objects to your images with? This step-by-step inpainting guide shows you how in just a few steps.

What is Inpainting?

Inpainting is an AI-powered feature in the Image Editor that lets you edit images by selecting specific areas (using masks) and describing changes through text prompts. The AI replaces masked regions with new content that matches your description, such as altering colors, shapes, and textures or adding objects.

Before

After

Step-by-Step Inpainting Guide

Step 1. Upload Your Image

Start by going to the Image Editor and selecting the Inpainting tool. Then, upload an image from your device or choose one directly from the getimg.ai Gallery.

Step 2. Select the Area to Change (Masking)

Next, select the part of your image you want to edit using one or more of the following mask options:

Mask Type	How to Use It	Best For
Region Mask	drag a rectangle/square (hold the left mouse button and move your mouse to adjust size and shape)	large rectangular shapes (walls, sky)
Auto Mask	hover over objects → AI detects parts (clothes, hair, etc.) → click to select	quick selections (elements of clothing, hair, objects) warning: auto mask might not work correctly with blurry, out of focus images!
Lasso Mask	hold down the left mouse button and move your mouse to freely draw irregular-shaped masks	irregular edges (faces, animals)
Pen Mask	click to set polygon points → they will connect to create a custom shape	precision (logos, detailed areas)
Brush Mask	adjust the brush size using the slider, then click and drag to paint the mask area directly	organic shapes (hair, clouds)

Tip:

You can apply multiple masks simultaneously and even mix mask types.

Made a mistake or want to adjust your mask? Use the "Erase mask" feature: similar to the brush mask, this lets you precisely remove parts of the mask by brushing over them.

To speed up your workflow, take advantage of these keyboard shortcuts:

Mac Shortcut	Windows Shortcut	Action
⌘ + +/-	⌃ + +/-	zoom in/out (you can also zoom in or out by keeping the ⌘/⌃ key pressed and using your mouse's scroll)
⌘ + 0	⌃ + 0	reset zoom
v	v	select
b	b	mask brush
e	e	mask eraser
w	w	auto mask
l	l	lasso mask
p	p	pen mask
u	u	region mask
] or [	] or [	change brush size
⌘ + ⌫	⌃ + ⌫	clear mask

Mask only what needs to change!

To maintain realistic details, only mask the specific area you want to edit. Avoid masking unnecessary parts, as this can alter details you want to keep.

Example:

If changing eye color, mask only the eyes, not the entire face.
If modifying a shirt, mask just the shirt, leaving skin and background untouched.

We recommend changing one thing at a time. Modifying multiple elements at once might negatively impact the image's quality.

Step 3. Enter Your Prompt

Once you’ve masked the area, clearly describe your desired outcome in the prompt box. Focus only on describing the end result, avoiding conversational instructions like "change X to Y" or "remove Z".

Goal	Bad Prompt	Good Prompt
Recolor	❌ “turn shirt from white to red”	✅ “red t-shirt with stripes”
Add	❌ “put a bird here”	✅ “red cardinal perched”
Change	❌ “make hair shorter”	✅ “pixie cut with ash-blonde highlights”

Note:

Check out our inpainting prompt guide for more helpful tips!

For best results, change one thing at a time, e.g., first change the eye color, then add a hat in the next edit.

Step 4. Generate Your Image

Click the “Generate” icon, and the AI will quickly produce your edited image. You can then download it, upscale it using the "Export" menu, or keep making changes.

Tip:

You can apply additional edits to already inpainted areas by repeating the masking and prompting steps.

Now that you know the steps, try Inpainting for yourself and see how effortlessly AI can refine your images!

What is Inpainting?
Step-by-Step Inpainting Guide