In the fast-changing landscape of design and image editing, staying ahead is essential. With each new update, Adobe’s Photoshop not only expands creative boundaries but also significantly improves the workflow for professionals. This year, the 2024 edition brings a range of innovative features aimed at enhancing efficiency and unlocking new creative potential.
We’ll explore the following new additions:
- Generative Fill
- Generative Expansion
- Removal Tool
- Contextual Taskbar
- Gradient Tool
- Lens Blur
- Content Credentials
- Generative Credits
From Generative Fill to the upgraded Gradient Tool, each enhancement reflects Adobe’s dedication to keeping its users at the forefront of technology.
Let’s take a closer look at these updates and see how they can transform your Photoshop experience. Whether you’re an experienced pro or a passionate hobbyist, get ready to see how Photoshop 2024 can elevate your artistry and efficiency in the digital realm.
1. Generative Fill
As part of the Adobe Firefly toolset and powered by AI, Generative Fill allows users to create images based on text prompts within Photoshop, producing separate and editable layers. Initially exclusive to the Beta version, it became available in the standard version in September 2023.
To use this feature, select an area of your image, click on “Generative Fill” in the Contextual Taskbar, and provide a description of what you want. Photoshop will then generate three alternative images on a new layer.
The software automatically analyzes your image’s content, considering factors like light, perspective, and depth of field. If you’re not satisfied with the three options, you can easily request new alternatives in the properties panel.
2. Generative Expansion
Let’s explore this intriguing feature in Photoshop that can be highly beneficial for many users.
When editing images, adjusting their size for various contexts can often be a challenge. To address this, Adobe has introduced “Generative Expansion,” a feature powered by Adobe Firefly Artificial Intelligence.
This tool is integrated into the “Crop” option. To resize an image, simply drag the crop tool over it or enter your desired dimensions for width and height.
Once you’ve done that, click on “Generative Expansion” and then “Generate.” The software will automatically fill in the blank areas around your image.
Like the “Generative Fill” feature, it will provide three alternative options on a separate layer, allowing you to select the one that fits your needs best.
This functionality streamlines the image resizing process in Photoshop, making it an invaluable tool for users looking to enhance their skills with the software.
3. Update to the “Remove” Tool
The updated “Remove” Tool is an incredibly useful feature for hiding parts of an image, making the editing process much more efficient.
Previously, you would have to apply the “Remove” brush to the entire area you wanted to edit. Now, it’s as simple as outlining the region of interest.
This innovative functionality in Photoshop detects the area you define and automatically conceals the content within it. When you trace the outline of the part you want to hide, the software instantly understands your intent and performs the removal without any extra manual effort.
This tool significantly enhances efficiency in image editing, saving both time and effort. It’s especially helpful for hiding specific elements, such as sensitive information, faces, or any other details you prefer to keep private.
In summary, this feature marks a valuable improvement for those looking to refine their editing skills in Photoshop, making it easier to hide parts of an image accurately and effectively.
4. Positioning of the “Contextual Taskbar”
While the “Contextual Taskbar” doesn’t introduce a specific new feature in this version of Photoshop, it now includes the option to dock in a fixed position.
In previous versions, this taskbar would appear randomly within the window or follow the mouse click, which could be inconvenient.
To set a stable position for the “Contextual Taskbar,” simply click on the three dots on the toolbar and select the “Pin bar position” option. With this setting, the taskbar will remain in your chosen location even after you close and reopen Photoshop, enhancing consistency and usability.
5. Revamped “Gradient” Tool
In earlier versions of Photoshop, the control line for drawing gradients would vanish immediately after being placed, complicating the process.
In the latest version, creating gradients is much easier. The revamped interface for this tool offers a more intuitive and user-friendly layout, resulting in a smoother editing experience.
The gradient tool in Photoshop, now featuring an enhanced interface, keeps the control handles visible throughout the editing process. This adjustment marks a significant improvement, simplifying the manipulation of gradients and color selection.
The persistent visibility of these handles greatly enhances the usability of Photoshop’s gradient tool, offering users better control and clarity during editing.
6. Lens Blur
A standout feature in Adobe Photoshop 2024 is the Lens Blur filter, which offers the ability to create realistic bokeh effects in your images. This tool employs advanced algorithms to simulate lens blur, providing enhanced control over the shape and size of the blur.
With a variety of options to adjust the blur amount, angle, and other parameters, you can easily achieve professional-quality results. When you access the filter and select the “Camera Raw” option, a new panel called “Lens Blur” will appear, allowing you to apply Optical Blur and realistic bokeh effects with a simple click.
In this panel, the “Amount of Blur” slider lets you increase the blur intensity, while additional options allow you to select the specific type of bokeh effect applied by Photoshop. The “Intensify” slider further enables you to adjust the intensity of the bokeh as needed.
Notably, Photoshop automatically sets the focal range using advanced AI-driven subject detection, indicated by a corresponding icon. This functionality enhances the precision and customization of the Lens Blur filter, improving the overall quality of your final image.
7. Content Credentials
In Adobe Photoshop 2024, content credentials are automatically embedded into the metadata of images created with the “Generative Fill” and “Generative Expansion” features. This initiative aims to reduce the spread of misinformation online by providing transparency about the image’s authorship and allowing control over what information is shared.
To set up content credentials, navigate to the “Window” menu and select “Content Credentials.” In this panel, you can activate the feature by clicking the blue button. The information included can range from AI generative details to elements like social media links and edits made. To see how this information will appear, use the preview button to display the specific content credentials for the selected image.
For a thorough verification of content credentials in any accessible file, you can visit the platform contentcredentials.org/verify. By uploading a photo, you’ll be able to view all the content credential metadata associated with that file, providing a detailed and transparent overview of the information linked to the image.
8. Generative Credits
Adobe has introduced important updates regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), along with well-defined guidelines aimed at ensuring safety throughout the entire process, from the original artist to the end user. Here are the key highlights.
Adobe has taken a careful and thoughtful approach to societal concerns surrounding AI, particularly in response to controversies related to its proliferation. If you’re new to Adobe’s AI-assisted tools, it’s a good idea to begin with Shutterbug stories on “Generative Fill” and “Generative Expansion” in Photoshop.
A key initiative from Adobe is the transparency embedded in assets generated by Adobe Firefly’s AI tools. All assets created will now automatically include content credentials, functioning like a nutritional label for artwork to help prevent deception and ensure proper creative attribution.
The launch of Firefly for Enterprise signifies a strategic move for businesses, offering not only intellectual property indemnification but also the ability to customize and integrate Firefly into workflows within the Experience Cloud, creating a powerful solution for global corporate environments.
Adobe’s commitment to artists is clear, as the company acknowledges the contributions of those whose content was used to train Firefly by offering specific bonuses. Additionally, works generated by Firefly can now be submitted to Adobe Stock, allowing digital artists to actively engage in the creative community.
After a successful beta phase in Photoshop, Firefly-assisted features are now accessible in nearly all paid plans of Creative Cloud. This includes Generative Fill and Generative Expand in Photoshop, Generative Recoloring in Illustrator, and various image and text effects in Adobe Express, giving users a broader array of creative tools.
Adobe has implemented a consumption model for Firefly, allowing users to pay with Generative Credits, which began on November 1, 2023. This model offers a generous monthly credit allocation, providing users with flexibility and enabling continued creation even after their credits run out.
Subscribers of Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Stock can still access Firefly features after depleting their balance, though with some limitations. For those looking to expand their capabilities, additional Generative Credit packages can be purchased at $4.99 for 100 credits.
Monthly Generative Credits vary based on the subscription plan, ensuring a substantial allocation for users. Once the credit limit is reached, subscribers can still create AI-generated images and text effects, but the process will be slower. Additionally, Adobe Firefly and Adobe Express Premium users can generate up to two creations per day after exhausting their credits until the balance resets the following month.
As part of this new model, Adobe will allow users to purchase additional priority processing generative credits through a subscription plan starting at $4.99 per month for 100 credits. This approach aims to provide flexibility and extra options for users who want to extend their capabilities beyond the monthly allocations.
Monthly Generative Credits vary by subscription plan, offering generous allocations for users:
- Creative Cloud All Apps: 1,000 credits
- Creative Cloud Single App (includes Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Animate, Dreamweaver, Stock, Photography 1TB): 500 credits
- Paid Adobe Stock subscriptions: 500 credits
- Adobe Express Premium: 250 credits
- Adobe Firefly Premium: 100 credits
- Creative Cloud for Enterprise All Apps: 1,000 credits
- Creative Cloud Pro Plus All Apps: 3,000 credits
- Free users (Adobe ID; Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly web app, Creative Cloud): 25 credits
These monthly allocations highlight the diverse plans available, providing users with flexibility based on their specific needs.
In summary, Adobe is taking a comprehensive approach to the ethical and practical implications of AI in its tools while empowering artists and end users with innovative and transparent features. These changes position Adobe Photoshop 2024 as a powerful and responsible tool in the image editing landscape.
Conclusion
Adobe Photoshop 2024 brings a host of enhancements designed to improve user experience and transparency. With features like the Lens Blur filter, which offers precise control over blur and bokeh effects, and the automatic embedding of content credentials in image metadata, Photoshop aims to provide users with greater precision and clarity.
Enhancements in gradient creation, the ability to dock the Contextual Taskbar, and the innovative Generative Expansion functionality highlight Adobe’s commitment to simplifying complex tasks, making the editing process more intuitive and accessible.
These updates not only enhance the effectiveness of existing tools but also introduce groundbreaking features like Generative Expansion and the Lens Blur filter, raising the standards for quality and control in image manipulation. Collectively, these improvements establish Adobe Photoshop 2024 as a powerful resource for both professionals and enthusiasts, offering a richer and more efficient editing experience.
