# Edit an image with Image Editor > Use the Nodespell Image Editor Creative Tool to change existing images with a written instruction, combine several sources, and limit edits with a mask. Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/image-editor/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10 Image Editor is the Nodespell Creative Tool for changing an existing image with a written instruction. You give it one or more source images, describe what should change, and select **Edit**. Depending on the model, you can also combine several images, add references, or limit the change with a mask. The result is a new image take; your source stays unchanged. ## When should I use Image Editor? Use Image Editor when you have a picture and want a specific change to it. | If you want to | Use | | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | | Change, add, or remove something in an image by instruction | Image Editor | | Combine elements from several images into one | Image Editor, with a model that accepts several images | | See the same subject from a new framing or angle | [Variations](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/variations/) | | Change only the lighting | [Relight](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/relight/) | | Cut the subject out | [Remove Background](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/remove-background/) | | Make a new image from words only | [Image Generator](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/image-generator/) | ## Edit an image 1. Open **Create**, select **All tools**, and choose **Image Editor**. You can also switch to it from the tool-name menu while another image tool is open. 2. Check the model card. The default model is GPT Image 2.5 Flare Edit. 3. Add your source image with **Choose assets**: pick it from your Assets or upload a file. 4. Write the instruction in the prompt, for example what to change and what to keep. 5. Add a mask or references if the model offers them, and review **Output** and **More settings**. 6. Set **Generations** from 1 to 4. 7. Select **Edit**. To edit an image already in your graph, add Image Editor on the canvas and connect the image's output to the source input. See [Creative Tools on the canvas](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/on-the-canvas/). ## Image Editor inputs and controls Image Editor always requires a source image. The tool marks the model's first image input as required, so **Edit** stays blocked until it has an image or a connection. | Control | What it does | Options or default | | ----------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Model card | Chooses the editing model | Default GPT Image 2.5 Flare Edit | | Source image | The image to change | Required; the label follows the model, for example **Images** or **Source image** | | **Prompt** | The edit instruction | Required for most models | | **More settings** | Every other setting the model has | Collapsed | | **Generations** | Number of runs to submit | 1 to 4, default 1 (Create only) | | **Edit** | Runs the model | Shows the credit estimate on paid plans | ## Which models work with Image Editor? Image Editor lists available models that take an image and return an edited image. The picker shows these under **Featured**: - GPT Image 2.5 Flare Edit (default) - GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst Edit - Nano Banana 2.1 - Grok Imagine Image 2.0 - FLUX 3 Image **All models** includes Nano Banana 2, Nano Banana Pro, Nano Banana 2 Lite, Seedream 5 Pro, GPT Image 2 Edit, Flux Kontext Dev, Flux Fill Pro, Ideogram 4.5 Edit, Qwen Image Edit models, and others. ## How do the controls change with the model? With the default model, GPT Image 2.5 Flare Edit, Image Editor shows: | Setting | Options (GPT Image 2.5 Flare Edit) | | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Images** | 1 to 16 source or reference images to edit or combine; required | | **Mask** | Optional image that marks the editable area of the first image | | **Image Size** | Auto, preset sizes from 1024x1024 to 3840x2160, or Custom; default 1024x1024 | | **Quality** | Low, Medium, High, XHigh, Max, or Auto; default High | | **Output Format** | PNG, JPEG, or WebP; default PNG | | **Compression** | 0 to 100, default 90 | | **Background** | Auto or Opaque; default Auto | Other models differ. Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana 2.1 show a **Source image** input plus **Aspect ratio** and **Resolution**. Some models accept extra **Reference images** that guide the edit without being the image you change. To build a mask in Nodespell, see [Masks and keying](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/masks-and-keying/). ## Where does the edited image go? Selecting **Edit** adds a model node to the current Level of your graph and runs it. Each edited image is kept as a [take](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) on that node, and the **Results** area shows it with **Show older result**, **Show newer result**, and **View fullscreen**. The source image is not modified. ## Common problems | Problem | What to do | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Edit** does nothing and the source shows "This value is required." | Add a source image or connect one. | | "Open Graph to edit this media input." | This input cannot be edited in Create. Open **Graph** and edit the node there. | | The change spreads beyond the area you wanted | Use a model with a mask input, or describe what must stay the same. | | The result has a different size or shape | Set **Image Size** or **Aspect ratio**; some models default to their own size rather than the source's. | ## Frequently asked questions ### Can Image Editor combine several images? Yes, with a model that accepts several images. GPT Image 2.5 Flare Edit takes 1 to 16 images in its **Images** input. ### Does Image Editor overwrite my original image? No. The edit is a new take on a new model node. Your source image and its node stay unchanged. ### What is the difference between Image Editor and Variations? Image Editor applies your instruction to the image. [Variations](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/variations/) is built for reframing one image as a new shot type or a directed variation, with a shot-type picker. ### Can I edit only part of an image? Yes, when the model has a **Mask** input. The mask marks the area the model may change. ## Related - [Variations](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/variations/) — new framings of one image - [Relight](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/relight/) — change lighting only - [Choose a model](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/choose-a-model/) — compare editing models - [Masks and keying](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/masks-and-keying/) — make masks for local edits - [Recipe: revise without starting over](https://docs.nodespell.com/recipes/revise-without-starting-over/) — iterate on a result