Generate image variations

Last updated on Sep 24, 2025

Learn how to use an existing image in the canvas and generate new images that maintain a similar style or composition, with subtle variations.

The Vary feature in Firefly Boards helps you explore multiple creative interpretations of an image already placed on the canvas. Instead of starting from scratch, it allows you to generate new images that maintain the main idea of the image with subtle variations in style, composition, or elements. It enables rapid iteration and experimentation with different visual styles and ideas.

Before you begin

Upload or generate an image and add it to the canvas.

Select the image in the canvas.

Select the Vary   icon to create the variations using the Firefly Image model.

The image is selected and the Vary option is selected to generate multiple image variations
Select an image in the canvas and use the Vary option to generate multiple similar image variations

Select from the following three options:

  • More like this: Generate images that closely reflect the original in terms of overall composition, mood, and conceptual intent.
Use the More like this option to generate images that closely reflect the original one.
Use the More like this option to generate images that closely reflect the original one.

  • Keep style: Preserve the artistic style of the original image—such as watercolor, photorealism, or other distinctive techniques.
Use the Keep style option to preserve the artistic style of the original image.
Use the Keep style option to preserve the artistic style of the original image.

  • Keep subject: Ensure the main subject of the original image remains intact, whether it's a person, animal, or object.
Use the Keep subject option to ensure the main subject of the original image remains intact.
Use the Keep subject option to ensure the main subject of the original image remains intact.

Once the variations are generated, you can edit and rearrange them just like any other image added to the canvas.

  • Load: Retrieves and shows the text prompt and generation settings used to create the image.
  • Vary: Use the image to generate new image variations that maintain a similar style or composition, with subtle variations.
  • Edit: Use the Generative fill and Generative expand capabilities to edit the image.
  • Convert: Use the image as the first keyframe for video generation or convert it into a 3D object.
  • Remove background: Remove the background of the image.
  • Download: Download the image to your local device.
  • Open in: Open the image in Photoshop on the web or Adobe Express.
  • Find similar inspiration: Opens the Search panel and displays similar images available on Adobe Stock.
  • Cut, copy, or duplicate the image, or paste any copied elements.
  • Rearrange, delete, and flip the image.
When the Load option is selected for an image, the prompt bar displays the main prompt, sub-prompts, and other generation settings.
Use the edit options to further refine the image or perform other adjustments.