At its MAX London conference, Adobe unveiled the all-new Photoshop beta. The program now has an improved AI-powered Generative Fill feature and a new Generate Image text-to-image generator. These new features are powered by Adobe’s Firefly Image 3 Foundation Model.
Generative Fill
With the previous version of the Generative Fill feature in Photoshop, you could extend an image or remove an element from it. However, the new version of the feature can add AI-generated elements to your image. In addition, you now have the ability to use a reference image. This means you can select which images the AI uses as its generative inspiration. As such, you can be more confident of achieving the result you want with the AI-created image.
Text to Image
The new Text to Image with Generate Image feature within Photoshop uses Firefly to create a new image. Adobe says this “shortens the distance between the blank page and amazing results” by creating an inspiration image for you. The company sees it as a new option for starting your work, alongside a new blank image or importing an existing image.
Other AI features
Other AI features in the Photoshop beta include Generate Background which replaces and creates backgrounds. Adobe says that this makes it easier to generate content that seamlessly blends into existing images. There is also a Generate Similar feature so you can select and control the variations when you regenerate an image. In addition, with Enhance Detail, you can fine tune your image to improve sharpness and clarity.
Other new features
Away from AI, the Photoshop beta has a new Adjustment Brush which you can use to apply non-destructive adjustments to specific portions of images. There’s also an improved Font Browser with real-time access to Adobe’s 25,000 fonts in the cloud without leaving Photoshop. Finally, with Adjustment Presets you can apply filter effects in a single click, as well as create your own customized presets.
Massive update
“This massive new update to Photoshop takes creativity to unprecedented levels – whether you are a professional or brand new to Photoshop,” said Ashley Still, senior vice president, Creative Product Group at Adobe. “Through new Firefly-powered features in Photoshop, we are bringing ideation and creation closer together and making editing images both more powerful and approachable so everyone can realize their creative vision.”
What we think
Photoshop’s new features integrate the power of Adobe’s generative AI within the program. Although Adobe see the new features as being a means to start your creative process, for some people the generated images will be all they need. It’s also reassuring to see that Adobe is committed to developing AI in accordance with its AI Ethics principles of accountability. As such, the Firefly-powered features in Photoshop will automatically attach Content Credentials to your content. These Content Credentials are tamper-evident metadata that shows whether AI was used in the creation or editing process.
Availability
Photoshop’s new features are available now in the Photoshop desktop beta app and will be rolled out in a full release later this year.
