'Sketch' Style Option Still Coming to Image Playground [Updated]

When Image Playground was first introduced in June as one of the key Apple Intelligence features, Apple said that it would generate images in three styles: animation, illustration, and sketch.

image playground ios 18 2
The version of Image Playground available in the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 betas only offers animation and illustration as style options, but Apple is planning to add the sketch style to ‌Image Playground‌ in the future.

As of right now, sketch can be used as an option in Image Wand in the developer and public betas of iOS 18.2, but it does not appear that it is ready for ‌Image Playground‌ just yet. ‌Image Wand‌ is the feature that allows users to add a drawing to written notes, either by sketching out an idea or referencing words in the note.

Apple did recently remove sketch from the Image Playground app description, but that's just because it's not yet in the ‌Image Playground‌ app.

Sketch is described as a "highly detailed and academic" style that "produces gorgeous drawings on stark backgrounds." It is distinct from the illustration style that has strong outlines, bold colors, and simple shapes, and the animation style that has a "whimsical, 3D cartoon look."

‌Image Playground‌ and ‌Image Wand‌ will be released to the public in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in December.

Update: This article has been updated to clarify that the sketch style has not been removed entirely and that it will be coming to ‌Image Playground‌ at a later time. The prior version of this article suggested that sketch had been entirely removed.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

PowerButton Avatar
16 months ago
Looks like their timeline is starting the scare them. Promise too much, so late to the game…
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antiprotest Avatar
16 months ago
Why does tech writing use "drop" with opposite meanings? It can mean either cancel or release. Apple drops AirPower (cancel). Apple drops new iPad Pros (release). I remember it didn't use to be this way...say, 20 years ago? Before that, it might be used in music, as in so-and-so just dropped a new single.

EDIT: Oh, at least ChatGPT thinks I am right: "This usage likely started in the hip-hop world, where "dropping a new track" had the energetic connotation of unleashing it onto the world. In tech, this dual meaning has gradually caught on, especially as tech companies and media increasingly adopt pop culture language."

EDIT 2: I have seen tech writing use "drop" and "release" to mean "announced" too. Apple "drops" XYZ, meaning they announced it today and will be available in 4 to 6 months. That's also annoying.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DanteHicks79 Avatar
16 months ago

Why does tech writing use "drop" with opposite meanings? It can mean either cancel or release. Apple drops AirPower. Apple drops new iPad Pros. I remember it didn't use to be this way...say, 20 years ago? Before that, it might be used in music, as in so-and-so just dropped a new single.

EDIT: Oh, at least ChatGPT thinks I am right: "This usage likely started in the hip-hop world, where "dropping a new track" had the energetic connotation of unleashing it onto the world. In tech, this dual meaning has gradually caught on, especially as tech companies and media increasingly adopt pop culture language."
It's just like when MacRumors uses "record low prices" for devices that just came out less than six months ago. It's all cheap marketing buzz words.

It's also how like ANY news about anything now is "breaking" news, which was a concept that got widely adopted when news networks went 24/7.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whosjjgtho Avatar
16 months ago
Sketch option is available with Image Wand
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Prof. Avatar
16 months ago
I'm suing
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3304614 Avatar
16 months ago
Outrageous!!! I had no clue about this feature until this very moment… but now I’m absolutely furious about its removal!!!

Tim Apple!!! You have one… hundred… more chances until I stop buying your products! You have officially been put on notice!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)