When you're describing something to someone, it can often be easier to sketch what you mean. That's the idea behind Image Wand, a new Apple Intelligence feature introduced in iOS 18.2 and powered by the same image generation technology behind Genmoji and Image Playground. Image wand can create illustrations from a rough drawing and some descriptive text -- think of it as malleable clip art.
If you're a more visual person who wants to try out Apple's generative image features, grab an Apple Pencil or pick your favorite pointer finger and read on.
Keep in mind that these features and Apple Intelligence in general are still technically in beta, so don't be surprised if puppies wag double tails or hands seem to have an absurd number of digits. And if Apple Intelligence isn't on your device, make sure you're running the right hardware and you've applied for access.
For more, see all the new features in the Messages app and which iOS 18 settings to change right away.
With each of these features, you describe in words what image you'd like to see, and Apple Intelligence generates it from scratch. However, they're located in different areas of your iPhone and iPad and and operate differently.
Genmoji and Image Wand are currently available on the iPhone and iPad; Mac versions are coming in an upcoming software update.
Although you don't need to begin with a sketch -- you can indicate where you want the image to appear and then describe what it should be using text -- starting with your own rough scribble pushes the generation in the direction you want.
1. Open an app that includes the Markup tools -- here I'm using Notes, but you could also use something like Pages -- and create a new Note.
6. In the field that appears, describe in words the image you want.
7. A number of designs are generated -- swipe left to view them.
8. To refine the image, enter other descriptions.
When you get to one you like, tap the Done button that appears above the image (you may need to scroll down to make it visible).
Alternatively, you can save or share a generated version without clicking Done. Tap the More (...) button below the image and choose Save Image to add it to your Photos library, or Share to send it to someone using the usual methods such as Messages or Mail. Or, you can choose Copy to copy the image and then paste it elsewhere, such as in an existing outgoing email message or into another app.
Image Wand creations are initially made in the Sketch style, which is more detailed than the name suggests. For a different look, tap the plus button (+) next to the input field and choose either Animation, which resembles the lighting, dimension and cartoony look of Pixar-style computer-generated movies, or Illustration, which is a more polished style like you'd see in a graphic novel.
Once an image is generated, you can generate new variations or add parameters to refine how it looks.
Tap the image to select it -- resize handles appear at the corners and a bar of icons appears below or above it. Then tap the Recreate button (which looks like the Apple Intelligence icon inside an oval).
This is important, though: When you tap Recreate, the image you made goes away unless you had saved it previously (or unless you tap Cancel and end the recreation process). If you like an image but want to see more options, tap the Duplicate button that appears below the image when it's selected, and then recreate that copy.
Apple Intelligence is stepping cautiously when it comes to the things it will generate. Obviously controversial terms that deal with sexuality or violence will stop the generation with an error, as will attempts to use trademarked names and products.
I was surprised to learn that the AI also throws up the message "Images involving people are not supported" when trying to include people -- not just those from your contacts, the way Image Playground and Genmoji support, but even generic people standing or sitting in the scene.
Remember that Image Wand, and all of Apple Intelligence, is still beta software. That's why each image generation includes a thumbs-up or thumbs-down icon nearby -- you can give feedback to Apple's developers about how well your sketch and descriptions were interpreted.