Generating images with AI

Popcorn Editor can make the picture as well as the layout. You can ask the Assistant for imagery mid-build, or generate a single image directly into a frame — including clean, background-free cut-outs.

Two ways to get AI imagery#

There are two routes, and you'll use both:

• Through the Assistant. When you ask for a design, the Assistant creates images as part of the build. You'll see Generating an image in its action timeline as it works. This is best when the picture is one piece of a larger request.
• The Generate image dialog. A dedicated tool for placing or swapping a single image on demand, targeting the frame you have selected. This is best when you know exactly which image you want and where it goes.

The Generate image dialog#

Select an image frame (or draw a rectangle to act as one), then open Generate image. A small composer appears pinned to the bottom-center of the Canvas.

Type your prompt in the field — the placeholder reads What do you want to create? — and press Enter or click the send arrow. The result fills the selected frame, matched to its shape. There's nothing to place afterward: the image lands where the frame already is.

Tip: because generation targets the selected frame, size and position that frame first. The image is fitted to it, so a tall frame gets a tall image and a wide frame a wide one.

Choosing an image model#

The dialog carries a Model pill (marked with a sparkle icon) that lists the available image models. Pick the one that suits the job — different models have different strengths and costs.

Next to it, a small label shows the target aspect ratio, read straight from your selected frame (for example 1:1 or 4:3). It's a reminder of the shape the image will be generated to fill, so you can adjust the frame before generating if the proportions aren't right.

Transparent background#

For models that support it, the dialog shows a Transparent checkbox. Turn it on and the model returns a cut-out — the subject with no background at all.

That's exactly what you want for:

• Logos you'll place over different colors.
• Stickers and die-cut labels, where the artwork needs a clean edge.
• Product shots you'll layer over a colored or photographic Canvas.

The checkbox only appears for models capable of producing transparency; if you don't see it, switch to a model that supports it.

Replace with AI#

Already have an image and want a different one? Select it and use Replace with AI. It swaps the current picture for a freshly generated one in the same frame.

If the selected image was itself AI-generated, reopening the tool prefills its stored prompt and model — so you can tweak a word, keep the model, and regenerate a variation without starting from scratch.

Add to AI chat#

Sometimes you don't want to replace an image — you want the Assistant to work with it. Right-click any image and choose Add to AI chat to pin it as context. It stays attached across messages, so you can ask the Assistant to restyle it, place copies of it, or match its look in a broader layout request.

This is the bridge between a single generated image and a full design: generate the hero image once, pin it, then let the Assistant build the rest of the piece around it.

Credits and limits#

AI image generation consumes credits, which come only with a subscription. If you run out mid-request, generation stops and the upgrade prompt opens. See How credits are used for how usage is metered and Plans & AI credits to top up.

Tips for better results#

• Describe subject, style, and framing. "A ceramic coffee mug, matte terracotta, soft studio lighting, centered" beats "a mug."
• Reach for Transparent whenever the image needs to sit over other artwork.
• Mind the resolution for print. A generated image has a fixed pixel size; blow it up too far on a large print piece and it softens. Check the effective resolution before exporting — see Image resolution & the print check.
• Pin a brand kit so generated imagery leans on your palette and tone. Marketers can wire this up in Designing on-brand with a brand kit.

Where to go next#

Learn the wider image workflow in Generating & replacing images with AI and Adding, replacing & fitting images.