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Photoshop almost bursting at the seams with new generative AI tools these days. As someone who spends a lot of time trying AI image generatorsI know firsthand that “AI-powered” can mean anything from really useful to hilariously bad. So I’m excited to see where the AI in Adobe’s flagship program ranks.
I was pleasantly surprised by how Photoshop’s AI works and I’ve compiled all my experience using Photoshop’s AI in this guide. But to be clear, AI tools are definitely not for everyone, especially pros who know Photoshop inside and out. If you’re a beginner or someone looking for help figuring out which Photoshop AI tools are worth exploring, this is for you.
Before you can use Adobe’s AI, you must agree to it AI terms of servicewhich includes the company’s policy to prohibit the illegal and abusive use of its AI. You can find these Photoshop features on desktop, web and now even on your phone. For more, see Adobe’s latest AI audio tools and Photoshop’s future AI assistant which will 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 is embedded in Photoshop so you can use it wherever is most convenient for you. If you’re already creating in Photoshop, here’s how to access Firefly.
- Open your project in Photoshop. If you are using the latest version of PS, the taskbar context should have an option that says Create a picture.
- Navigate to Editthen click begets PICTURE. You can also click on the icon that looks like an image with an arrow and lightning in the toolbar on the left side.
- Enter your prompt, specify the style and upload any reference images.
- Click begets.
- Tab through the different variations by using the arrows on the taskbar below.
When you’re writing your prompt, don’t be afraid to add a lot of detail, and put the most important elements at the beginning. Check out our AI image speed writing guide for more tips to get better results. If you don’t like the images, you can click the pop-out image window or the icon with four squares to adjust your prompts and reference images. You can tap the three vertical dots at the top of the pin bar to give feedback on generations, remove the background or create similar images. If you still don’t like what you have, I recommend starting a new prompt rather than trying to endlessly tweak and create, hoping to get it right.
How to use Photoshop’s generative features
You can also use generative AI tools to edit your existing Photoshop project. Generative filling, expansion and deletion are some of the most popular AI uses. Here’s how to use each.
Generative filling like a miniaturized AI image generator. This 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 it will create a plot for that area. You can see the generative fill by going to Edit > Generative fill. Be sure to use the brush selection tool. Mark the area where you want the elements to appear, type your prompt and click create.
Generative expansion 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 scene. You can also use it to scale your project. To access the generative expand, select the crop tool, take your canvas to any size you want, enter a prompt if you want and click generate.
I edited my original image (left) to include more sky and sand with generative expand then added AI seagulls with generative fill.
Generative deletion like an AI-supercharged eraser. The tool isolates and removes certain elements from your project without disturbing the whole picture. There are two ways to remove objects from your work. The first is to select the object using the object selection tool, click on the generative fill and put the word “delete” in the prompt. Otherwise you can use the removal tool (Spot healing tool > Remove tool) to manually highlight the items you want to remove.
Read more: The Perfect Blend Concept in Photoshop Stuns With Composite Photos
Other AI tools you can try in Photoshop
Taking over the sky is a cool AI tool that can add drama to your scenes. You can create an alternate sky by navigating to Edit > Sky replacement and choosing from a variety of options, including sunset, blue sky and colorful options labeled “unique.” Once you’ve chosen a preset you like, you can manually adjust the brightness and other elements.
This time I used AI sky replacement to add some Carolina blue sky (right) to my original shot of Kenan Stadium (left).
Create a background great for product photography or other shots where the subject or object is the center of the image. Upload your shot to Photoshop, click remove background from the contextual task bar (the pin box that pops up when you select the layer) and click generate background. Some of the backgrounds turned out better than others. The city spaces I created looked fake, but the colored or patterned backgrounds came out beautifully.
There are other AI tools that may be right for you depending on your project. Neural filters can be used for more detailed photo editing, and the curvature pen helps designers create more consistent looking arches. We also expect to see more AI-powered editing tools introduced in Photoshop this year.
Overall, Photoshop’s AI suite performs well. Some of the tools are helpful but you need to know what the tools are designed to use to get the best results. For example, generative expand is good for resizing photos and I find generative delete is good for deleting photo bomb objects. Some tools, like the sky replacement tool, work for some photos but not others. I wouldn’t use Photoshop’s AI for every project, but I think there are times when it’s a good option.
For more, see Adobe’s AI video generator and the best AI video generators.
