The Tool Desk
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Yes—but “Aurora” is no longer the clearest name for xAI’s current consumer image tool. xAI announced Aurora on December 9, 2024 as an image-generation model on X. The current consumer experience is documented as Grok Imagine, available through grok.com and the official Grok apps for iOS and Android. The separate developer product is the Grok Imagine API.
That distinction matters: you can use Grok to create and edit images now, but you should not assume that every current consumer image is generated by the original Aurora model or that the app includes an “Aurora” model switch.
What happened to Aurora?
xAI introduced Aurora on December 9, 2024, describing it as an autoregressive mixture-of-experts image model available on X. The launch announcement is available in xAI’s original release.
xAI later expanded the product into Grok Imagine, covering image generation, image editing, and video creation. Current consumer documentation uses “Grok Imagine” rather than clearly promising a consumer-facing Aurora selector. The simplest way to understand the naming is:
#1 Best Overall
- Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
- Aurora: the original launch-era model name or codename.
- Grok Imagine: the current consumer image-and-video creation feature.
- Grok Imagine API: xAI’s separate developer service with named API models and per-image billing.
Where to use Grok Imagine
Start with grok.com, which xAI’s FAQ identifies as the official web destination. Grok is also available through official iOS and Android apps. X may provide access to Grok as well, but the current xAI overview directs users primarily to the web and mobile Grok products.
Check the address carefully. Search results contain unrelated third-party services using names such as “Grok,” “Aurora,” or “Grok Image Generator.” Do not treat those sites as xAI products unless an official xAI source clearly confirms the relationship.
How to generate an image
- Open grok.com or the official Grok app for iOS or Android.
- Sign in or create an account.
- Open the image-creation feature. Depending on the current interface, it may be labeled Imagine, Create, or something similar.
- Describe the image you want and submit the prompt.
- Wait for the result, then use the available save, share, download, or follow-up-edit control.
The exact menu path can vary by platform, account, geography, and product update. Do not expect every user to see an “Aurora” tab.
A prompt that gives the model useful direction
Include the subject, setting, composition, lighting, camera angle, mood, color palette, intended use, and aspect ratio. Ask for one coherent visual direction rather than combining unrelated styles.
A cinematic editorial photograph of a red 1970s sports car parked outside a desert motel at blue hour, three-quarter front view, wet pavement reflecting neon, realistic materials, restrained color palette, wide landscape composition, no extra text.
For posters, thumbnails, or social graphics, specify the intended layout. Put required wording in quotation marks and ask for a clean, legible design, but check the result carefully. Image generators may still distort lettering. When exact typography matters, generate the artwork without text and add the lettering in a design application.
Rank #2
- Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
- Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
- Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
- Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey
How to edit an existing image
Grok Imagine supports natural-language image editing. Upload an image through Grok, describe the change, and state what must remain untouched. Review the result for altered faces, hands, clothing, text, lighting, or background details.
Keep the person’s pose, clothing, facial expression, and background unchanged. Replace only the overcast sky with a warm sunset sky and match the original lighting on the subject.
For a narrower edit, describe only the required change. If the first result changes too much, repeat the request with stronger preservation instructions. Even then, identity and fine details may drift.
xAI’s broader Imagine documentation describes support for up to three reference images for tasks such as subject transfer, style transfer, and scene composition. The exact controls available in the consumer app may differ from the developer API.
Use images responsibly
Only upload images you have permission to use. Take extra care with private photographs, identifiable people, faces, copyrighted characters, logos, and personal information. Do not use image editing to create deceptive, intimate, defamatory, or impersonating material. Consent is especially important when depicting real people.
Recommended Free Tools
Is Grok Imagine free?
Grok is free to start, but that does not mean unlimited image generation. Paid SuperGrok plans provide higher limits and access across more products. xAI’s current system describes paid usage as a shared weekly pool spanning products such as Chat, Imagine, Voice, and Build—not as a permanently fixed number of image generations per day.
Rank #3
- Customize Your Workflow: The 6 customizable press keys on Huion H640P drawing tablet for pc let you assign your most-used commands—like undo, zoom, brush switch, or save—so you can keep your hands on the tablet and your mind on the art. Whether you're a digital painter switching brushes, or a comic artist zooming in and out, these keys keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Plus, the Huion driver lets you save different shortcut profiles for different apps, so you never have to reconfigure when switching software.
- Professional Pen Performance: Huion H640P drawing pad for computer comes with the battery-free PW100 stylus that's always ready when inspiration strikes. With 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, every light sketch, or bold stroke responds naturally to your hand—just like a real pen. The 5080 LPI resolution and 233 PPS report rate deliver lag-free, precise strokes, so you can draw confidently without second-guessing your cursor. The pen side buttons help you switch between pen and eraser instantly.
- Compact and Portable: Huion H640P computer graphics tablet features a compact, ultra-portable design at just 0.3 inches thin and 0.61 lbs light, so it slides easily into your backpack—perfect for sketching in coffee shops, taking notes in class, or editing on the go between home and studio. The 6x4 inch active area offers enough room for natural pen movements while fitting comfortably on crowded desks, or lecture hall seats.
- Stable Compatibility: Huion H640P graphic drawing tablet works seamlessly with Mac, Windows, Linux PCs, and Android smartphones/tablets (OS version 6.0 or later). Left-handed friendly, and you just need to flip the tablet and adjust the settings in the driver. Please note: H640P does NOT support iPhone/iPad.
- Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.
Check your account at Settings → Usage. The usage screen can show the percentage used, product breakdown, reset date, and any extra-credit balance. Limits may vary by plan, account, product, and geography, so old articles quoting a universal daily image allowance may be inaccurate.
When a paid account reaches its included allowance, features may pause until reset. Depending on availability, users may be able to buy Extra Usage Credits, upgrade, or enable Auto Top Up. xAI’s FAQ says web-purchased top-up credits currently start at $5 and expire after one year unless otherwise stated. Subscription prices themselves can change and should be checked on the live official billing page.
Watermarks and moderation
xAI’s FAQ says generated images and videos include a Grok watermark, with no setting to remove it. It also says that removing, altering, or obscuring the watermark or other provenance signals is prohibited under xAI’s Acceptable Use Policy. This is an important limitation for client work, publishing, advertising, and other professional graphics.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Moderation remains active even when an NSFW-related setting is enabled. xAI specifically prohibits child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate imagery, among other categories. A prompt may be blocked or an output moderated; do not try to circumvent those safeguards.
What to do if the image feature is missing
- Confirm that you are using grok.com or an official Grok app.
- Check that you are signed in to the account with the relevant subscription.
- Update the mobile app.
- Try grok.com in Chrome or another Chromium-based browser.
- Disable extensions or test an incognito window if account or billing controls fail.
- Open Settings → Usage and check whether the shared allowance is exhausted.
- Try a simple, benign prompt. This helps distinguish a service problem from a moderation block.
- If you subscribed through Apple or Google, manage the subscription through that purchase platform.
Subscriptions are tied to the account used for purchase. A valid subscription can appear to be missing if you are signed in with a different Apple, Google, X, or web login. Availability can also vary by country, account, platform, and plan; do not rely on unofficial workarounds.
Using the Grok Imagine API
The API is separate from the consumer Grok experience. It is intended for developers who need automated generation, programmatic editing, batch processing, or controls over model, resolution, aspect ratio, and response format.
Rank #4
- 4 Pack for More Fun: Apply the newest flexible liquid crystal technology, brighter and clearer than most LCD writing tablet. Take pressure-sensitive technology, you can draw lines of different thicknesses through different pressure levels. Package includes 4 pack lcd writing tablet (Blue, Light blue, Green and Pink), free children's imagination and creativity.
- 8.5 Inch Colorful Lcd writing Tablet: TQU kids LCD doodle board is a creative education and learning toy, perfect support for drawing, writing, spelling, math, remark, and notes which can let your kids freely release their natural instincts. With erase button on the front and lock switch. You can draw and erase easily by pressing the button on the front of the board. The pen fits snug on top of tablet and it will not come loose.
- Easy to use and Durable: The LCD writing tablet for kids is easy to use, just use the stylus to write, draw, scribble, doodle anything you want. Press the erase button to clear the screen in one second. Or press the lock key to save the screen contents. Our magic reusable drawing tablet is built in a button battery.
- Safe & Portable Toddler Travel Toys: Great for quiet, take-along entertainment. It’s an easy way to color on the go without lugging a bunch of stuff in the car or to a restaurant or church.
- Perfect Gift Idea: The multi-functional LCD writing tablet is a great gift choice for kids. It can be an educational toy for preschoolers. A perfect parent-pick gift for 3 4 5 6 7 8 year old girls and boys on back to school, homeschool, birthday, Easter, Children's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and any occasion.
xAI currently documents models including grok-imagine-image and grok-imagine-image-quality. The quality model supports 1K and 2K output and uses the generation endpoint https://api.x.ai/v1/images/generations.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Example request:
curl -X POST https://api.x.ai/v1/images/generations -H “Content-Type: application/json” -H “Authorization: Bearer $XAI_API_KEY” -d ‘{“model”:”grok-imagine-image-quality”,”prompt”:”A futuristic city skyline at sunset”}’
You need an xAI API key. The API documentation also includes Python, JavaScript, OpenAI-compatible, and Vercel AI SDK examples.
API pricing
xAI’s API documentation lists these per-image prices; they are API prices, not the cost of using the Grok consumer app.
| API model | Input image | Output image | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| grok-imagine-image | $0.002 per image | $0.02 per image | 1K and 2K |
| grok-imagine-image-quality | $0.01 per image | $0.05 at 1K; $0.07 at 2K | 1K and 2K |
The Imagine API documentation describes configurable aspect ratio, resolution, response format, and up to 10 images per request.
Which option should you choose?
- Choose consumer Grok Imagine for occasional creation, phone access, conversational prompting, and no-code editing.
- Choose the API for automation, application integration, structured workflows, programmatic editing, and per-request accounting.
The consumer product is easier, but its usage pool, watermark, changing interface, moderation rules, and uncertain consumer model labeling may matter for professional work. API billing provides more technical control, but requires development effort and does not make broader legal, privacy, copyright, trademark, or publicity questions disappear.
Best Value
- PLEASE NOTE：XPPen Artist13.3 Pro drawing tablet Need to connect with computer,you need to use it with your computer or laptop, the 3 in 1 cable is included
- Drawing Tablet with Screen: Tilt Function- XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro supports up to 60 degrees of tilt function, so now you don't need to adjust the brush direction in the software again and again. Simply tilt to add shading to your creation and enjoy smoother and more natural transitions between lines and strokes
- Graphics Tablets: High Color Gamut- The 13.3 inch fully-laminated FHD Display pairs a superb color accuracy of 88% NTSC (Adobe RGB≧91%，sRGB≧123%) with a 178-degree viewing angle and delivers rich colors, vivid images, and dazzling details in a wider view. Your creative world is now as powerful as it is colorful
- Drawing Pad: One is enough- The sleek Red Dial on the display is expertly designed with creators in mind, its strategic placement allows for natural drawing postures. With just one wheel, you can effortlessly zoom in and out, adjust brush sizes, and flip the canvas—all tailored to suit the habits of everyday artists. The 8 customizable shortcut keys allow you to personalize your setup, streamlining your workflow and enhancing creative efficiency
- Universal Compatibility & Software Support：supports Windows 7 (or later), Mac OS X 10.10 (or later), Chrome OS 88 (or later), and Linux systems. Fully compatible with major creative software including Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, and Blender 3D. Register your device to access additional programs like ArtRage 5 and openCanvas for expanded creative possibilities.
In short, Aurora is best treated as the name associated with xAI’s original 2024 image-generation launch. If you want to create an image now, look for Grok Imagine on the official Grok service—not for an assumed Aurora switch.
FAQ
Is Aurora still the name of the current Grok image model?
Aurora was xAI’s original launch-era image-model name. Current consumer documentation generally presents the feature as Grok Imagine and does not clearly identify the active consumer backend as Aurora.
Can free users generate images with Grok?
Grok is free to start, but image generation is subject to account, plan, product, geography, and usage limits. It is not advertised as unlimited.
Can I remove the Grok watermark?
No. xAI says generated images and videos include a Grok watermark and prohibits removing, altering, or obscuring it.
Can Grok edit photos?
Yes. Upload an image and describe the requested change. Ask the tool to preserve important details, but inspect the result because faces, identity, text, and backgrounds can change.
Is the Imagine API the same as the consumer Grok app?
No. The API is a separate developer product with named models, programmatic controls, authentication, and per-image pricing. xAI does not establish that its API models are identical to the original Aurora model.
Why was my image prompt blocked?
It may have triggered xAI’s moderation system. Settings do not remove safety enforcement, and xAI prohibits attempts to bypass moderation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
