Photoshop automates retouching of cables
Adobe integrates Firefly's image AI into the retouching tools in Photoshop and Lightroom. Annoying power cables, for example, can be removed with a single click.
Power cables get in the way of historic buildings and it takes time to retouch them. Photoshop 26.0 does this in a flash.
The list of generative tools in Photoshop is now long: they are called "Generative Fill", "Generative Expand", "Generate Similar" or "Generate Background". What they all have in common is that they use Adobe's current image generator, the Firefly Model 3, to extend the blank canvas or an existing image with parts of the motif. And the raw developer Lightroom also retouches with the Firefly AI.
Firefly can be used as a web app or directly in Photoshop via the floating palette that is always displayed. Version 3 of the image generator has been available in the beta version of Photoshop 26.0 since April 2024. Adobe is now delivering the final version of Photoshop 26.0 via the Creative Cloud app.
Videos by heise
New retouching option in the Remove tool
Photoshop's Remove tool incorporates the Firefly AI into a retouching tool in an inconspicuous and practical way. In Photoshop 26.0, the context-sensitive tool options below the menu bar contain the new "Search for distractions" button. Clicking on it opens a menu that offers "Wires and cables" or "People".
Clicking on it starts an image analysis, which then automatically retouches these image distortions that are often found in travel photos in particular. You cannot influence the retouching of cables. When retouching people, the result can be adjusted with a masking brush.
AI retouching in Lightroom
The raw developer Lightroom also uses the Firefly AI for image retouching. To do this, you first mark the relevant image area, including shadows and reflections, with a brush tool. It is not active in the default setting.
In the example image with the chipmunk, it produced blurred pixel mud. If the "Generative AI" checkbox is activated, it reconstructs the rocky ground credibly, including the natural blurring of the telephoto lens in the foreground. The tool presents three image variants to choose from for each retouch. AI retouching is now also available in the mobile versions of Lightroom.
Work selectively with adaptive presets
Photoshop and Lightroom have been selecting the image subject or the sky after a mouse click for some time now. Lightroom uses automatic subject selection for the selective application of presets for image editing. In the presets menu, Lightroom sorts its adaptive presets into the categories sky, subject and portrait.
For example, by clicking on "Dramatically dark" in the "Adaptive: Sky" category, the clouds in a landscape shot can be edited to create atmospheric contrasts. The portrait area develops eyes, teeth, eyebrows, hair or a beard in the same way.
Prices and availability
Photoshop and Lightroom are available together as a photo subscription for €11.89 per month for Windows and macOS and as a web app. The full Creative Cloud subscription with Illustrator, InDesign and other applications costs 66.45 euros per month. (akr)
