Photoshop Beta: Enhancing Images with Generative Fill
6 min readBeta this, Beta that… They all betta be workin’! Photoshop Beta is another exciting tool – allow us to make a joke here – a true Alpha among the apps, powered by mighty AI (Artificial Intelligence).
Now, if you’re not already familiar with the topic, here’s a brief introduction to the Photoshop world:
Photoshop is the most widely used and powerful image editing software in the world, with over 30 years of history and innovation. It offers a variety of tools and features for creating, editing, and manipulating images, from basic adjustments to advanced effects and filters.
With such long history and stratospheric success, it got ingrained into the culture and our lives.
You’ve probably heard the legendary “Oh, they’ve must have Photoshopped that!” somewhere, on multiple occasions.
However, Photoshop is not resting on its laurels. It is constantly evolving and introducing new features and capabilities to meet the needs and expectations of its users.
One of these features is Generative Fill, an AI-powered feature that enhances images with the help of text prompts. It can add, remove, or extend existing content and is currently available in the Beta version of Photoshop.
In this article, we will explain what Photoshop Beta and Generative Fill are, how they work, and how you can use them to create stunning images.
What is Photoshop Beta?
Photoshop Beta is a version of Photoshop that allows users to try out new features and capabilities before their official release. It is available to Creative Cloud subscribers who want to test and provide feedback on the latest innovations and improvements in Photoshop.
Photoshop Beta updates are regular; they include new features and bug fixes. Users can install it alongside their regular version of Photoshop and switch between them as they wish. Users can also access their cloud documents and sync their settings across both versions.
To install Photoshop Beta, users need to open the Creative Cloud app on their desktop, select Beta apps in the sidebar, and look for Photoshop (Beta) in the list at right.
What is Generative Fill?
Generative Fill is one of the new features available in Photoshop Beta. It is an AI-powered feature that enhances images with the help of text prompts. It can add, remove, or extend existing content and produce new, realistic visuals based on the context.
Generative Fill is powered by Adobe Firefly, a family of generative AI models trained on Adobe Stock imagery, openly licensed work, and public domain content where the copyright has expired. Firefly analyzes existing content and generates new content that matches the style, lighting, perspective, and color of the image.
Generative Fill can be used for various purposes, such as:
- Adding objects: Users can select an area in their image and describe what they want to add using a text prompt. For example, users can add a dog to their image by typing “a dog” in the prompt box.
- Removing objects: Users can select an object they want to remove from their image and leave the prompt box blank. For example, users can remove a person from their image by selecting them and clicking Generate.
- Extending images: Users can extend the canvas of their image and select the empty region. They can either leave the prompt box blank to create a harmonious extension of their scene or type a text prompt to add new content to their image. For example, users can extend their image by typing “a mountain” in the prompt box.
- Generating backgrounds: Users can select the background behind their subject and generate a new scene from a text prompt. For example, users can change the background of their image by typing “a beach” in the prompt box.
How to use Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta
To use Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta, users need to follow these steps:
- Make a selection: Users need to use any selection tool in Photoshop to make a selection around a desired object or area in their image.
- Access Generative Fill: Users need to select the Generative Fill button in the contextual taskbar that appears. They can also choose Generative Fill from any of the following options:
- Select Edit > Generative Fill from the application bar.
- Ctrl/Right+click with a selection active and choose Generative Fill from the menu.
- Add a text prompt: A text-entry prompt box appears in the contextual taskbar where users can describe the object or scene they want to generate in their image in English only or leave it blank.
- Generate: Users need to click Generate or press Enter/Return to start generating new content for their image. The generated content is added on a new layer. It means that users can edit, refine or remove any creation without damaging the original image.
How to edit or remove Generative Fill content in Photoshop Beta
To edit or remove Generative Fill content in Photoshop Beta, users can use any of the editing tools and features available in Photoshop, such as:
- Move Tool: Users can use the Move Tool to reposition, resize, rotate, or flip the generated content on the new layer.
- Eraser Tool: Users can use the Eraser Tool to erase parts of the generated content that they don’t want or need.
- Brush Tool: Users can use the Brush Tool to paint over the generated content with different colors or effects.
- Layer Mask: Users can use a layer mask to hide or reveal parts of the generated content with more precision and flexibility.
- Layer Style: Users can use a layer style to add effects such as shadows, glows, strokes, or textures to the generated content.
- Adjustment Layer: Users can use an adjustment layer to change the brightness, contrast, color, or tone of the generated content.
- Filter: Users can use a filter to apply different effects. Some are: blur, sharpen, distort, stylize.
To remove Generative Fill content completely from their image, users can simply delete the new layer that contains it.
Benefits and challenges of using Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta
Using Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta can offer several benefits for users, such as:
- Saving time and effort. Users can save time and effort by creating, adding, removing, or extending content in their images with simple text prompts instead of using complex tools and techniques.
- Exploring and experimenting with ideas. Users can explore and experiment with different ideas and concepts in seconds by generating multiple variations and options for their images with different text prompts.
- Enhancing creativity and quality. Users can enhance their creativity and quality by generating realistic and harmonious content that matches the style and context of their images.
However, using Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta can also pose some challenges for users, such as:
- Understanding the limitations and expectations. Users should understand that Generative Fill is not a magic tool that can create anything they want. It is still a beta feature that is based on AI models that may not always produce accurate or desired results. Users should also be aware of the legal and ethical implications of using Generative Fill for commercial purposes.
- Adjusting and refining the results. Users should be prepared to adjust and refine the Generative Fill results using other editing tools and features in Photoshop. The generated content may not always fit perfectly with the original image or meet the user’s expectations. Users should also check for errors or artifacts that may occur during the generation process.
- Providing feedback and suggestions. Users should be willing to provide feedback and suggestions to Adobe on how to improve Generative Fill and other generative AI features in Photoshop. Users can share their feedback through the Adobe Photoshop beta community or by clicking Help > Submit Feedback in Photoshop Beta.
Screenshot taken from: adobe.com
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Conclusion
Using this feature in Photoshop Beta can offer multiple benefits for users. Some are: saving time and effort, exploring and experimenting with ideas, and enhancing creativity and quality. However, users should also be aware of the challenges and responsibilities that come with using Generative Fill. Some are: understanding the limitations and expectations, adjusting and refining the results, and providing feedback and suggestions.
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I hope you found this article helpful. 🙂
What’s your opinion in this topic? Do you have any experience with Photoshop Beta?
Feel free to leave a comment below!
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