AI tools in creative programs like Photoshop are meant to help you speed up your workflow, spark inspiration and give you more options when you feel like you’re stuck. Photoshop, along with Adobe’s other programs, have undergone something of an AI evolution in the past few years. Now, there are several generative AI features you can use while editing in Photoshop.
Regular Photoshop users might already be familiar with some of these tools since they’re front and center in a lot of task bars and panels. But even an amateur photo editor like me was able to find and use Photoshop’s AI tools easily. Like any editing software, it can take some time to get to know the program and figure out when each tool is best used. For example, generative expand can be good for resizing photos, and I got creative with my landscapes using the AI sky replacement tool.
While you can access the tools in any kind of Photoshop file, I found it was easiest to import my favorite photos from my Lightroom albums since all my projects are synced in my Creative Cloud. Then I could edit on my laptop and take advantage of the bigger screen.
The first time you try to use any of these AI tools, Adobe will make you agree to its various AI terms of service. The policy states Adobe won’t train its AI models on your content, and you also agree to follow their guidelines, which prohibits things like creating abusive or illegal content.
How to create AI images in Photoshop
Adobe’s AI image model Firefly is available as a separate app and embedded in Photoshop, so you can use it wherever is easiest for you. If you’re already creating in Photoshop, here’s how to access Firefly:
- Open your Photoshop project. If you’re using the most recent version of PS, the contextual task bar should include an option that says Generate image. Otherwise:
- Navigate to Edit, then click Generate image. You can also click the icon that looks like an image with an arrow and sparkle in the tool bar on the left side.
- Enter your prompt, specify the style and upload any reference images.
- Click Generate.
- Tab through the different variations by using the arrows in the task bar below.
When you’re writing your prompt, don’t be afraid to add a lot of detail, remembering to put the most important elements at the beginning. You can check out our AI image prompt-writing guide for more tips to get better results.
If you’re not in love with the images, you can click the image pop-out window or the icon with four squares to adjust your prompt and reference images. You can also tap the three vertical dots on the end of the pin bar to give feedback on the generations, remove the background or generate similar images. If you still don’t like what you’ve got, I recommend starting over with a new prompt rather than trying to endlessly tweak and generate hoping to get it right.
How to use generative fill, expand and remove in Photoshop
You can also use generative AI tools to edit your existing project in Photoshop. Generative fill, expand and remove are some of the most popular AI tools. Here’s how to use each.
Generative fill is like a miniaturized AI image generator, and it’s 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 new design for that area. You can find generative fill by going to Edit > Generative fill. (Make sure you’re using the selection brush tool.) Mark the area you want the elements to appear, type in your prompt and click generate.
Generative expand is useful when you need more space in an image. You can create new sections of your image to seamlessly blend with your current image or you can enter a text prompt and create new scenery. You can also use it to enlarge your project. To access generative expand, select the crop tool, pull out your canvas to whatever 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 some AI seagulls with generative fill.
Generative remove is like an AI-supercharged eraser. It can isolate and remove 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 select tool, click generative fill and put the word “remove” in the prompt. Or, you can use the remove tool (Spot healing tool > Remove tool) to manually highlight the objects you want erased.
Read more: Photoshop’s Perfect Blend Concept Stuns With Composite Photos
Other AI tools you can use in Photoshop
Sky replacement is a cool AI tool that can bring some drama to your landscapes. You can create an alternative sky by navigating to Edit > Sky replacement and selecting from a variety of choices features sunsets, blue skies and some colorful options labeled “spectacular.” You can manually adjust the brightness and other elements once you’ve chosen a preset you like.
Here I used AI sky replacement to add some Carolina blue skies (right) to my original shot of Kenan Stadium (left).
Generate background is great for product photography or other shots where the subject or object is the focal point 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 turn out better than others; the cityspaces I generated looked kind of fake, but colored or patterned backgrounds came out great.
There are some other AI tools that might be right for you depending on your project. Neural filters can be used in more detailed photo editing, and the curvature pen can help designers make more consistent-looking arcs. We’re also expecting to see more AI-powered editing tools introduced in Photoshop this year.
For more, check out what we know about Adobe’s AI video generator and AI updates in Premiere Pro.
