MODEL UPDATE
GPT Image 2.6 release guide
Published
OpenAI announced Images 2.6 on November 4, 2026. The release adds animation, vector output and more control over edits. Flare and Sunburst serve different points in a creative workflow.
Choose a format by what you need to deliver
Use a still image for a single composition. For an animated GIF, describe one clear action and how it should return to the starting pose. After generation, play the file to check its timing.
Choose SVG when the artwork needs to stay sharp at different sizes, such as an icon used at both 24 pixels and on a poster. Start with a simple silhouette and a limited palette. Review the shapes and lettering before using a logo or icon in production.
Use references and markup for focused edits
A reference image gives an edit a starting point for the subject’s appearance. Markup adds a spatial cue, such as circling a product label and asking for a color change. Describe which details should stay the same and compare the result with the original.
Choose Flare or Sunburst
Use Flare to explore several directions quickly. Move to Sunburst for work where rendering detail and consistency across edits matter more. OpenAI reports that Flare can return a low-quality image in as little as six seconds and describes Images 2.6 as generating images 50% faster than before. These are OpenAI’s launch figures. Time through this site depends on the request and queue.
Set quality and complexity separately
Quality controls the rendering. Complexity controls how much planning the model does before drawing. For a small change to an existing image, try low complexity. For a crowded layout with several constraints, consider medium or high complexity and check whether the added planning improved the composition.
Availability and what to check here
Open the homepage generator to check which models and formats are available. Review the credit quote before submitting a generation.
Try a workflow
Choose Image, GIF, or SVG on the homepage.