How to Replace Objects in Photos with AI (Prompt Ideas Included)

Erasing an object leaves empty space. Sometimes you want the opposite: put something new there. A plain cup becomes a donut, an empty corner gets an armchair, a dog turns into a cat. That's AI replace — sometimes called generative fill or inpainting.

How AI replace works

You mark an area of your photo and describe what should appear there. The AI generates the new object inside that area while matching the surrounding light, color, perspective and focus. Unlike pasting a sticker, the result blends into the scene — shadows and reflections included, when it works well.

How to replace an object with Erase Spark

1. Choose Replace Object

Open Erase Spark, tap Replace Object and pick a photo.

2. Paint the area

Brush over the object you want to change. Paint slightly bigger than the new object you expect: a replacement that's larger than the original needs room.

3. Type your prompt

Describe what you want, for example "a pink donut with sprinkles" or "a cute white kitten".

4. Generate, compare and save

Check the before/after slider. If it's not quite right, adjust the prompt or the painted area and try again.

Writing prompts that work

• Name the object first. "A red vintage bicycle" beats "something old and red".
• Add one or two details. Color, material and style: "a ceramic vase with yellow tulips".
• Match the scene. A palm tree fits a beach, not a snowy street.
• Keep it short. One clear sentence works better than a paragraph.
• Mask for the size you want. The painted area controls where and roughly how big the new object will be.

25 prompt ideas to try

Food & table

1. Turn it into a donut
2. A slice of strawberry cake
3. A cup of latte with heart latte art
4. A bowl of fresh fruit
5. A birthday cake with candles

Animals

1. Replace with a cute cat
2. A golden retriever puppy
3. A sleeping fox
4. A parrot on the branch
5. A small white rabbit

Home & decor

1. A cozy velvet armchair
2. A vase of flowers
3. A large monstera plant
4. A modern floor lamp
5. A stack of books

Outdoors & travel

1. A palm tree
2. A hot air balloon in the sky
3. A wooden bench
4. A red sports car
5. A bicycle leaning on the wall

Fun & creative

1. A giant teddy bear
2. A rubber duck
3. A snowman
4. A neon sign
5. A rainbow umbrella

Replace vs. erase: which to use?

Use erase when the scene looks better empty — see how to remove objects from photos. Use replace when the empty space would look odd, when the object overlaps something complex, or when you want a creative edit. Replacing is also a good fallback when removing a person leaves a strange gap.

Try it on your own photos

In Erase Spark you can replace objects, erase them, or remove the background — all with a brush and a tap. Free to download on iPhone and iPad.

Frequently asked questions

What is AI replace in photo editing?

It's a feature that generates a new object in an area you select, based on a text prompt, while matching the photo's lighting and perspective.

Why doesn't the new object look realistic?

The painted area may be too small or the prompt too vague. Paint a slightly bigger area, add a detail like color or material, and try again.

Can I replace a person with an object?

Yes. Paint over the person and describe what should appear instead, such as "an empty wooden bench" or "a green bush".

Is AI replace the same as generative fill?

They're the same idea: AI generates new content inside a selected area of an image from a prompt.