Adobe Photoshop, once primarily a manual editing powerhouse, has embraced the revolution of Generative AI, transforming how we create and manipulate images. No longer just for seasoned professionals, these AI-powered tools like Generative Fill and Generative Expand empower everyone to achieve stunning, complex results with remarkable ease. Ready to dive in and unleash your creative potential? Let's get started!
Your Gateway to AI Creativity: How to Use Generative AI in Photoshop
Generative AI in Photoshop, powered by Adobe Firefly, allows you to add, remove, and extend content in your images using simple text prompts. It's like having a magical assistant that understands your vision and brings it to life. This guide will walk you through the core Generative AI features, helping you integrate them seamlessly into your workflow.
Step 1: Ensure You're Ready to Generate! (The Most Important First Step!)
Before we begin our creative journey, let's make sure your Photoshop is equipped for Generative AI.
Sub-heading 1.1: Check Your Photoshop Version
Generative AI features are primarily available in the most recent versions of Adobe Photoshop (desktop) and Photoshop (beta) apps. If you're running an older version, you'll need to update.
Open your Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.
Navigate to the "Apps" tab.
Look for Photoshop. If an update is available, you'll see an "Update" button. Click it!
For access to the very latest experimental features, you might also want to install the Photoshop (Beta) app from the "Beta Apps" section. Many cutting-edge Generative AI features debut here first.
Sub-heading 1.2: Internet Connection is Key
Generative AI features in Photoshop rely on Adobe's cloud-based services (Firefly) to process the AI tasks. Therefore, an active internet connection is essential for these features to function.
Step 2: Mastering Generative Fill: Adding and Replacing Content
Generative Fill is the cornerstone of Photoshop's AI capabilities. It allows you to select an area and fill it with new, AI-generated content based on your text prompt.
Sub-heading 2.1: Opening Your Canvas
Open an existing image in Photoshop or create a new document.
For best results, start with a high-quality image.
Sub-heading 2.2: Making Your Selection
This is where you tell Photoshop where you want the magic to happen.
Choose any selection tool from the Toolbar. Popular choices include:
Lasso Tool (L): For freehand selections.
Rectangular Marquee Tool (M): For rectangular selections.
Object Selection Tool (W): For automatically detecting and selecting objects.
Quick Selection Tool (W): For painting a selection quickly.
Selection Brush Tool: For more precise painting of your selection.
Select the object or area where you want to add or replace content. Try to be reasonably precise, but don't obsess – the AI is quite forgiving!
Once you've made a selection, the Contextual Task Bar will likely appear directly below your selection. This is your quick access to Generative Fill. If you don't see it, go to Window > Contextual Task Bar.
Sub-heading 2.3: Prompting the AI to Create
This is the fun part! You tell Photoshop what you want to generate.
In the Contextual Task Bar, click the "Generative Fill" button.
A text-entry prompt box will appear. Here's where you get descriptive!
To add something new: Type a clear and concise description of the object or scene you want to generate (e.g., "majestic oak tree", "golden retriever playing in the grass", "steampunk robot").
To remove something: Leave the prompt box empty and simply click "Generate." Photoshop will intelligently fill the selected area based on the surrounding content, effectively removing the unwanted element.
For more control (Beta feature): Some beta versions offer a "Reference Image" option, allowing you to upload a sample image to guide the AI's style.
Click the "Generate" button.
Wait patiently! Photoshop sends your request to Adobe's cloud servers, and it might take a few seconds to process, depending on the complexity of your prompt and your internet speed.
Sub-heading 2.4: Choosing Your Masterpiece (Variations)
Once generated, Photoshop will present you with three different variations of the AI-generated content. These will appear in the Properties panel and often as thumbnails in the Contextual Task Bar.
Click through the variations to see which one best fits your vision.
If none of the options are quite right, simply click "Generate" again to get three new variations. You can repeat this process as many times as needed.
Important Note: Generative Fill creates a new "Generative Layer" above your original image. This is a non-destructive workflow, meaning your original image remains untouched. This layer includes a layer mask, allowing the AI-generated content to appear only within the area you selected.
Step 3: Unleashing Generative Expand: Extending Your Horizons
Generative Expand is another incredibly powerful AI feature that allows you to enlarge your canvas and fill the newly added space with contextually relevant content. This is perfect for changing aspect ratios or giving your subject more breathing room.
Sub-heading 3.1: Starting with the Crop Tool
Open your image in Photoshop.
Select the Crop Tool (C) from the Toolbar.
Click and drag the handles on the crop border outward, beyond the original edges of your image, to expand your canvas to the desired size. You'll see the newly expanded areas filled with your background color (often white).
The Contextual Task Bar will appear, offering options related to the Crop Tool.
Sub-heading 3.2: Generating the Expansion
In the Contextual Task Bar (or Properties panel), you'll see the "Generative Expand" button.
You have two options:
Leave the prompt box empty: If you want Photoshop to intelligently fill the new space by extending the existing image content (e.g., extending a landscape, adding more sky, continuing a pattern). This is the most common use case for seamless expansion.
Enter a prompt: If you want to fill the expanded area with something specific and different from the original content (e.g., "add a dense forest", "futuristic cityscape", "ocean waves").
Click "Generate."
Similar to Generative Fill, Photoshop will provide three variations for you to choose from. Cycle through them and select the best fit.
Generative Expand also creates a new non-destructive Generative Layer.
Step 4: Refining Your AI Creations with the Remove Tool
While not strictly "generative" in the same way Generative Fill is, the AI-powered Remove Tool is a fantastic complement for cleaning up images, especially after using generative features.
Sub-heading 4.1: Accessing the Remove Tool
Create a new, empty layer above your image (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N). This ensures a non-destructive workflow for your retouching.
Select the Remove Tool from the Toolbar. It's often nested under the Spot Healing Brush Tool (click and hold the Spot Healing Brush to reveal it).
Sub-heading 4.2: Using the Remove Tool (with AI options)
In the Options Bar at the top, make sure "Sample All Layers" is checked (since you're working on a new empty layer).
Also, observe the "Mode" option. In recent versions of Photoshop, the Remove Tool can leverage generative AI:
Auto: Photoshop decides whether to use generative AI or its traditional content-aware algorithms.
Generative AI On: Forces the tool to use generative AI for potentially more seamless and complex removals, especially for larger objects. Be aware this can be slower as it requires cloud processing.
Generative AI Off: Uses the traditional (faster) content-aware method. Best for small blemishes or simple removals.
Paint over the unwanted distractions or blemishes in your image. The area you paint will be highlighted in magenta.
When you release your mouse button, Photoshop will intelligently remove the painted area, filling it with content that matches the surroundings.
Tip: For larger objects, try painting a continuous outline around the object rather than filling it entirely. The AI often does a better job of understanding the boundary this way.
Step 5: Advanced Tips for Optimal Generative AI Results
To truly harness the power of Photoshop's Generative AI, consider these advanced tips:
Sub-heading 5.1: Crafting Effective Prompts
Be Specific but Concise: Use descriptive keywords. Instead of "car," try "vintage red sports car on a winding road."
Add Context: Include details about the environment, lighting, and style (e.g., "golden hour lighting", "impressionistic style", "dramatic shadows").
Experiment with Keywords: Small changes in your prompt can lead to vastly different results. Don't be afraid to try synonyms or rephrase your ideas.
Less is Sometimes More for Removal: When removing objects, leaving the prompt blank allows the AI to focus purely on context-aware removal, often yielding the best results.
Sub-heading 5.2: Iterate and Refine
Don't Settle for the First Result: The beauty of having variations is that you can pick the best one, or generate more if needed.
Combine AI and Manual Edits: Generative AI is a powerful starting point, but don't hesitate to use traditional Photoshop tools (like the Clone Stamp, Healing Brush, or adjustment layers) to fine-tune the AI's output and seamlessly blend it into your image.
Use Layer Masks: Since Generative Fill and Generative Expand create new layers with masks, you can easily refine the edges or blend the generated content further by painting on the layer mask with black (to hide) or white (to reveal).
Sub-heading 5.3: Understanding Limitations and Ethical Use
Hallucinations: Sometimes the AI might generate unexpected or nonsensical elements (often called "hallucinations"). This is part of the experimental nature of the technology.
Commercial Use: As of the latest updates, content generated with Generative Fill and Generative Expand (trained on Adobe Stock and public domain content) is generally safe for commercial use. However, always verify Adobe's most current terms of use for specific beta features.
Content Credentials: Adobe is implementing Content Credentials, which embed information about how an image was created or edited, including the use of AI. This helps ensure transparency and provenance.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to update Photoshop to get Generative AI?
To update Photoshop, open your Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app, go to the "Apps" tab, and click "Update" next to Photoshop. You might also want to install the Photoshop (Beta) app for the latest features.
How to make a precise selection for Generative Fill?
Use selection tools like the Lasso Tool for freehand selections, the Rectangular Marquee Tool for geometric shapes, or the Object Selection Tool for automatic object detection. You can refine selections with tools like "Select and Mask."
How to remove an object with Generative Fill?
Select the unwanted object using any selection tool, then click "Generative Fill" in the Contextual Task Bar. Leave the prompt box empty and click "Generate." Photoshop will intelligently remove the object and fill the area.
How to extend an image seamlessly with Generative AI?
Use the Crop Tool to expand your canvas beyond the original image borders. Then, click "Generative Expand" in the Contextual Task Bar (leaving the prompt blank for seamless extension) and click "Generate."
How to get more variations from Generative Fill?
After the initial generation, if you don't like the three provided variations, simply click the "Generate" button again in the Properties panel or Contextual Task Bar to produce three new options.
How to refine the edges of Generative Fill content?
Generative Fill creates a new layer with a layer mask. You can use a soft brush with black to hide parts of the generated content or white to reveal more, allowing for precise blending.
How to use text prompts effectively for Generative AI?
Be specific and descriptive, including details about objects, environment, lighting, and style. Experiment with different keywords and phrases to achieve varied results.
How to use the Remove Tool with Generative AI?
Select the Remove Tool, ensure "Sample All Layers" is checked, and set the "Mode" to "Generative AI On" (or "Auto"). Paint over the unwanted area, and Photoshop will use AI to remove and replace it.
How to know if Generative AI content is safe for commercial use?
Adobe states that content generated with Generative Fill and Generative Expand (trained on licensed Adobe Stock and public domain content) is generally safe for commercial use. Always refer to the latest Adobe terms and conditions for definitive guidance.
How to troubleshoot if Generative Fill is not showing up?
First, ensure your Photoshop is updated to the latest version (including the Beta app if desired). Second, verify you have an active internet connection. If the Contextual Task Bar isn't visible, go to Window > Contextual Task Bar and ensure it's checked.
