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Photoshop is practically bursting at the seams with new Generative AI tools today. As someone who spends way too much time testing AI image generatorsI know firsthand that “powered by AI” can mean anything from genuinely useful to hilarious. So I was eager to see where AI ranked in Adobe’s flagship program.
I was pleasantly surprised by how Photoshop AI worked and I have compiled all my experience using Photoshop AI into this guide. But to be clear, AI tools definitely won’t be for everyone, especially professionals who know Photoshop inside and out. If you’re a beginner or looking for help determining which Photoshop AI tools are worth exploring, this is for you.
Before using Adobe AI, you will need to agree to its AI Terms of Usewhich includes the company’s policy prohibiting illegal and abusive uses of its AI. You can find these features in Photoshop on desktop, on the web, and now even on your phone. To learn more, see Adobe’s latest AI audio tools And Photoshop’s next AI assistant which can automatically rename all your layers for you.
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How to Create AI Images Using Photoshop
Adobe’s AI image model, Firefly, is available as a separate app and integrated into Photoshop so you can use it wherever it suits you best. If you already design in Photoshop, here’s how to get into Firefly.
- Open your Photoshop project. If you are using the most recent version of PS, the pop-up taskbar should include an option saying Generate an image.
- Go to To modifythen click Generate picture. You can also click the icon that looks like a picture with an arrow and a flicker in the toolbar on the left side.
- Enter your prompt, specify the style, and upload reference images.
- Click Generate.
- Browse the different variations using the arrows in the taskbar below.
When writing your prompt, don’t be afraid to add lots of detail and place the most important elements at the beginning. Discover our AI image quick writing guide for more tips to get better results. If you’re not in love with the images, you can click the image pop-up or the four-square icon to adjust your prompt and reference images. You can tap the three vertical dots at the end of the pin bar to give feedback on builds, remove the background, or generate similar images. If you still don’t like what you have, I recommend starting over with a new prompt rather than trying to edit and generate endlessly, hoping to get it right.
How to use Photoshop’s generative features
You can also use generative AI tools to edit your existing project in Photoshop. Generative filling, expansion, and deletion are some of the most popular AI tools. Here’s how to use each.
Generative Fill is like a miniaturized AI image generator. It is one of the most popular AI tools in Photoshop. With generative fill, you can select a specific region of your project, enter a text prompt, and create a design for that area. You can find Generative Fill by going to Edit > Generative Fill. Make sure to use the Selection Brush tool. Mark the area where you want the items to appear, enter your prompt and click generate.
Generative development is useful when you need more space in an image. You can create new sections of your image to blend seamlessly with your current image or you can enter a text prompt and create a new landscape. You can also use it to enlarge your project. To access generative development, select the crop tool, stretch your canvas to the size you want, enter a prompt if desired, and click generate.
I edited my original image (left) to include more sky and sand with generative expansion, then added AI seagulls with generative fill.
Generative deletion is like an eraser supercharged by AI. The tool isolates and removes certain elements from your project without disrupting the entire image. There are two ways to remove objects from your work. The first is to select the object with the object selection tool, click on the generative fill and put the word “delete” in the prompt. Alternatively, you can use the Delete Tool (Spot Healing Tool > Delete Tool) to manually highlight the objects you want to erase.
Learn more: Photoshop’s Perfect Blend concept amazes with composite photos
Other AI Tools You Can Try in Photoshop
Sky Replacement is a cool AI tool that can add drama to your landscapes. You can create an alternate sky by going to Edit > Sky Replacement and selecting from a variety of choices, including sunsets, blue skies, and colored options labeled “spectacular.” Once you’ve chosen a preset you like, you can manually adjust the brightness and other elements.
In this case, I used AI sky replacement to add Carolina blue skies (right) to my original photo of Kenan Stadium (left).
Generate a background works well for product photography or other shots where the subject or object is the focal point of the image. Upload your photo to Photoshop, click Remove Background in the pop-up taskbar (the pin box that appears when you select the layer), and click Generate Background. Some backgrounds turn out better than others. The city spaces I generated looked a little fake, but the colored or patterned backgrounds came out perfectly.
There are other AI tools that may be suitable for you depending on your project. Neural filters can be used in more detailed photo editing, and the curvature pen can help designers create more cohesive arcs. We also expect to see more AI-based editing tools introduced to Photoshop this year.
Overall, Photoshop’s AI suite performed well. Some tools have been helpful, but you need to know what the tools are for to get the best results. For example, generative expansion was useful for resizing photos and I found generative deletion ideal for erasing photobombed objects. Other tools, like the sky replacement tool, worked for some photos but not others. I won’t use Photoshop’s AI for every project, but I think it might be a good option sometimes.
To learn more, visit Adobe AI video generator and the best AI video generators.
