10 ways to use Generative Fill to improve photos in Photoshop

Photoshop's Generative Fill tool is changing the way we edit images and create derivative works. With Adobe Photoshop's powerful AI engine, Generative Fill uses Adobe Stock images to lend pixels to our own images for photo editing and creative use.

In this article, we'll explore ways you can use Generative Fill to enhance your images in Photoshop.

1. Enlarge the frame for better composition

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The ability to use Generative Fill to expand your frame is almost priceless, especially if you have space around your subject. Since the example is limited to 1,024 pixels on the long edge, enlarging the frame is a perfect use of the Generative Fill because the details don't matter.

Simply use the Crop Tool in Photoshop to expand the frame and use the Generative Fill to fill in the gaps.

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Click on Generative Fill and then Generate (leave the text field blank) and see which of the three works best. If you need to use text to get different results, write a brief description, such as "red empty space", which is what the article used here.

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In situations like these, it doesn't matter if the resolution of the extended space is poor as there are no texture details, only the colors and shadows that the Generative Fill decided to add.

2. Remove unwanted objects and people

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Forget about traditional Photoshop tools for removing unwanted objects and people. With Generative Fill, you simply select all the unwanted pixels and click. This example has circled everything to erase with the Lasso Tool.

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After completion. Click on Generative Fill and then select Generate .

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A good general rule of thumb when you want Generative Fill to just delete is don't type anything in the text prompt unless you don't get the results you want. If not, use any of Photoshop's selection tools to make the selection(s), then Generative Fill and Generate.

3. Create Objects and People

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You can also create objects and people to add interest to your images. Just add as many frames as you want and type in the text box what you need.

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You should take the time to make more selections as resolution issues may occur. Use the Transform Tool to reduce the size of objects or people if the Generative Fill does not achieve the correct proportions.

4. Change clothes color

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You won't be able to change the color of the clothes your subject is wearing. It's an advanced feature that will probably come out after Generative Fill is out of Beta. But at the time of this writing, you can change the color of your clothes if you don't mind some of the actual clothes being changed as well.

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Be careful to choose only clothes. Use the Brush Tool on the mask if you need to make adjustments.

5. Add the sky to the image

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With Photoshop and many other photo editing applications, you can replace the sky very easily. But with Generative Fill, you can really add the sky you like.

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Just expand the frame with the Crop Tool and use the Generative Fill to create the sky.

6. Add accessories like hats and sunglasses

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Generative Fill makes it easy to add accessories like hats and sunglasses. Everything depends entirely on your imagination.

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In this case, the example also added jewelry and drinks on the railing. It's amazing how Photoshop even gets reflections in sunglasses along with precise lighting adjustments for each subject.

7. Changing expressions and facial expressions

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What was once extremely time-consuming, you can now accomplish in minutes with Photoshop. You can change someone's facial expression with a simple text prompt like "smile".

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The trick to doing this is to make sure to select more space than you really need to change the expression more accurately. That's because when someone makes an expression, there are other muscles used to create that expression other than the area of ​​focus.

You can also use a third-party plugin like PortraitPro to enhance your images after using Generative Fill.

8. Create reflections

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You can create a reflection without having to enter anything in the prompt. That's because the Generative Fill takes into account the entire image. But if you want a really nice reflection, you may have to enlarge the frame by cropping to make room for the reflection.

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This is another task that was previously only possible in Photoshop after going through several steps. Again, it only takes a few minutes with Generative Fill.

9. Blend two or more photos together

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You can seamlessly blend two or more images together using Generative Fill. Place the images side by side and then make a selection. The Rectangular Marquee tool works well for this.

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This example also selected part of the sky after the original selection to add some clouds. Generative Fill also did a pretty good job of blending the foreground with different focal points.

10. Create an image from scratch

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You can use Generative Fill to create images from scratch. All you have to do is create a New Document in Photoshop and choose the size. Then add selections and create your image, frame by frame.

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What Generative Fill can create in Photoshop Beta is amazing. Expect more control and extensibility in future releases.

Micah Soto

Update 24 July 2023