Since Image Playground was introduced in June as one of the standout features of Apple Intelligence, we expected to be able to generate images in three different styles: animation, illustration, and sketch. With the arrival of the first beta of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 and after the second, the sketch option is not available, and now it seems it won’t be.
What has happened with Boceto?
That a feature is not available in a beta version means nothing; it is, after all, a feature in development. However, after the latest update, the description of the Image Playground application has been modified, removing all references to the sketch style and leaving only the animation and illustration options.
According to Apple’s descriptions, and as reported by MacRumors, the sketch style would offer “detailed and academic drawings on sober backgrounds”. This option was joined by the animation style, with “a three-dimensional cartoon-like appearance with expressive characters and cinematic environments,” while the illustration style is defined by “well-marked outlines, simple shapes, and strong colors, aiming to offer cheerful and fun compositions.”
Now, the first of the options has disappeared. Although some parts of the description still mistakenly mention the existence of three style options, everything seems to indicate that this will change soon.
It is not clear why Apple has decided to remove the sketch option from Image Playground. Could it be a technical issue, a marketing decision, or simply a strategy to more clearly differentiate between the offered styles? The truth is that right now we can only wait to see if more references to this style disappear or reappear.
Regardless of that, we cannot rule out that this and other styles will be added to Apple Intelligence’s image generation later on. The Image Tools we have available today in beta are just the beginning, and we should expect continuous and regular evolution, just like with all other parts of the system. In the meantime, it seems we will stick with two styles.
