Image Alteration

AI-powered modification of existing images through two primary modes: image-to-image editing (global changes) and mask-based inpainting (local changes).

Runtime

Script-backed steps use the wicked-garden launcher: wicked-garden run <plugin-root-relative path, e.g. scripts/…> [args]. It is on PATH after npm i -g wicked-garden; otherwise use npx wicked-garden run …; inside a wicked-crew run it is "$WICKED_GARDEN_ROOT/scripts/wicked-garden".
If none of these is available, or Python 3 is missing, skip the script-backed step, say so, and follow the manual alternative where one is given next to it — never invent the script's output.
Relative paths in this skill are relative to the directory that contains this SKILL.md.

When To Use This Skill

• Modifying style, lighting, or mood of an existing image
• Replacing or adding specific elements within an image
• Iterating on generated images to reach desired output
• Making targeted local edits while preserving the rest

Modification Modes

Image-to-Image (Global Edits)

Changes the overall style or adds global elements while preserving core composition.

wicked-garden run skills/product/imagery/scripts/provider.py edit \
  --image ./source.png \
  --prompt "Same scene but with a dramatic sunset sky" \
  --output ./v2.png

Key control: The strength parameter determines how much the model deviates from the original.

• --strength 0.2-0.3 — Subtle changes (color grading, minor adjustments)
• --strength 0.4-0.6 — Moderate changes (style transfer, lighting shifts)
• --strength 0.7-0.9 — Dramatic changes (major style overhaul)

Inpainting (Local Edits)

Precise edits to specific regions using a binary mask (white = edit area, black = preserve).

wicked-garden run skills/product/imagery/scripts/provider.py inpaint \
  --image ./source.png \
  --mask ./mask.png \
  --prompt "Replace with floating lanterns" \
  --output ./v2_inpaint.png

Best practices for masks:

• Clean edges — avoid feathered or anti-aliased mask boundaries
• Include enough context area around the edit target
• For complex shapes, create the mask programmatically or use a drawing tool

Iterative Refinement Loop

When the output is close but not quite right:

1. DIAGNOSE  — What specifically is wrong? (color, composition, detail, artifact)
2. ADJUST    — Modify the right parameter for the issue:
   - Wrong elements → refine prompt, add negative prompt
   - Wrong style → adjust strength parameter
   - Wrong detail → fix seed, tweak guidance scale
   - Local issue → switch to inpainting with a targeted mask
3. REGENERATE — Run with adjusted parameters
4. REVIEW     — Use the review sub-skill to validate

Refinement Strategies

Problem	Solution
Missing element	Increase weight in prompt with specific adjectives
Unwanted artifact	Add to --negative-prompt
Good composition, bad detail	Fix --seed, adjust --guidance-scale
Almost perfect, one area wrong	Switch to inpainting for that region
Too different from original	Lower --strength value
Not different enough	Raise --strength value

Final Polish

Use upscaling as the last step to bring a draft to production quality:

# Upscaling (cstudio only — other providers may not support this)
wicked-garden run skills/product/imagery/scripts/provider.py generate \
  --provider cstudio \
  --prompt "upscale" \
  --output ./final_hires.png

Detailed References

• Editing techniques, provider commands, and refinement strategies: refs/editing-reference.md

Integration With Other Sub-Skills

• Use review before altering to understand what needs to change
• Use review after altering to validate the changes
• If starting from scratch is better than editing, hand off to create
• Alteration is the "Execute" and "Refine" steps of the Analyze-Execute-Review-Refine loop