Generative Fill

This article will cover some of this topics: generative fill AI tools, generative AI in Photoshop and the wide use of AI in Photoshop.

What is Generative Fill?

Generative Fill is an AI-powered feature that intelligently fills or extends parts of an image by generating new content that blends seamlessly with the surroundings. Generative Fill and AI Generative Fill generally refer to the same concept. These AI-powered tools intelligently modify, extend, or replace parts of an image.

Photoshop Generative AI

AI Photoshop features present a great opportunity for professional photographers and designers to lessen their technical load. It is also making the creative visual editing space more inviting for the newbies. But how does it work? And what should you be aware of?

Adobe Photoshop integrates AI-powered tools through Adobe Sensei, enhancing editing efficiency and creativity. Features like Generative Fill, Content-Aware Fill, and Neural Filters allow users to remove objects, extend images, and apply realistic effects with minimal effort. AI automates complex tasks, making Photoshop more intuitive and powerful for designers, photographers, and creators.

Adobe Sensei is an AI engine that enables advanced features in Photoshop, such as:

• Generative Fill (AI-powered image expansion and object removal)
• Content-Aware Fill (Smart background replacement)
• Neural Filters (AI-driven effects like skin smoothing, colorizing, and depth blur)

What Is Photoshop Generative Fill?

Adobe Photoshop AI Generative Fill, powered by Adobe Firefly, allows users to add, remove, and replace elements in an image.

Unlike traditional tools like Patch Tool and Clone Stamp Tool, which manually copy and blend existing textures, Generative Fill uses AI to generate entirely new content that seamlessly integrates with the original image.

This feature expands on Content-Aware Fill by incorporating intelligence that analyzes the image’s context, making it capable of creating realistic additions, extending backgrounds, or removing objects with greater accuracy. Users can achieve these effects simply by making a selection and entering a text prompt.

How Does Photoshop Generative Fill Work?

At its core, Generative Fill uses machine learning models that analyze the surrounding pixels and predict what should be added to an image. Below you have a step by step guide on how to use it.

Where is generative fill in Photoshop?

Generative Fill in Photoshop is found in the Contextual Task Bar when using selection tools, or under Edit > Generative Fill in newer versions.

• You select an area. Use the Lasso or Marquee tools (don’t have to be these ones, use any selection method that suits your task best) to highlight the part of the image you want to change.
• Type a prompt (or leave it blank). You can enter a description of what you’d like to see, like “add a sunset” or “replace the background with a cityscape.” Leaving it blank allows Photoshop to make its best guess and, believe us, this option can lead to some hilarious and fascinating results.
• Click on the Generate button. The software analyzes textures, lighting, and visual context to generate a realistic addition or removal.
• Several options pop up. Photoshop gives multiple variations so you can pick the one that fits best. They won’t be perfect from the get-go, so settle on the one you think you’ll be able to help settle in best.
• Fine-tuning. Now, tag on those switches and toggles to your heart’s desire to blend the new visuals into the existing picture. You can even re-run the fill for better results. Pay special attention to the consistency in perspective and lighting direction. With frequent use, you’ll be able to tell what works and what doesn’t faster, but give yourself some grace in the beginning, and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion.

The generative fill in Photoshop process will make your photo manipulation faster and create professional-level edits with less effort.

Bride didn’t get a picture with just her mom? Fixed. A random lamp throwing off the rare shot you waited hours to capture? Gone. Composition cake lacking that one cherry topper? It’s there! And it's that easy.

Graphic Design Software with Generative Fill

Photoshop is not the only graphic design software that has generative fill. Similar Photoshop Generative AI fill features are available in other software and even on mobile devices. While they work differently from Photoshop Generative Fill, they serve a similar purpose — quickly removing objects, extending images, or filling gaps with AI-generated content.

Here are some graphic design tools that use generative fill:

• MockoFun Inpaint Tool - Allows users to edit images online free
• DALL·E (Inpainting Feature) – Enables users to modify and extend images by filling in missing areas with AI.
• Firefly by Adobe – A creative AI tool that enhances generative fill capabilities in Photoshop and other Adobe apps.
• Runway ML’s Inpainting Tool - Runway ML is an AI-powered creative platform with an inpainting tool that removes objects and fills in missing areas. It focuses on video as well as images: a great option for content creators working with motion graphics.
• Luminar Neo’s AI Erase - This tool uses AI to intelligently remove unwanted elements from photos, similar to Photoshop content-aware fill. Luminar Neo focuses on photography enhancement and automatic touch-ups, while Photoshop offers deeper manual control.
• Samsung and Google Pixel’s AI Magic Eraser - Built into Google Photos and Samsung’s editing tools, Magic Eraser can remove unwanted objects with AI-based predictions. While useful for quick fixes, mobile-based tools lack the precision and creative flexibility of Photoshop Generative Fill.

Photoshop Generative Fill Alternative - MockoFun Inpaint Tool

If you are looking for Photoshop generative fill alternative free, the MockoFun's inpainting tool offers fast and easy image editing. It lets users select a specific area of a photo to remove unwanted parts or add new elements with a single click. The tool uses AI generative fill technology to create realistic changes that blend naturally with the original image.

This feature simplifies the editing process, making it accessible to beginners and efficient for professionals. Users enjoy a smooth creative experience that helps them produce refined visuals without complex editing steps.

The generative fill technology is behind the AI clothes changer tool and also behind the hair generator tool. Both of these tools are using the AI generative fill and AI inpainting processes.

Generative Fill in AI Writing

While generative fill is widely recognized in image editing, a similar concept exists in AI-powered writing tools. Just as AI can intelligently fill in missing parts of an image, writing tools like Textero.ai can generate, expand, and refine text based on context.

If you’re exploring AI-powered tools for different creative tasks, there is also writing help for you out there. AI tools are supporting multiple creative fields, including writing, by making complex work easier and more accessible across the board.

In image editing, generative fill refers to AI expanding or modifying content contextually. In AI writing, similar functionalities exist, such as:

• Text Expansion – AI can take a short prompt or incomplete sentence and generate coherent, contextually relevant text to complete it (e.g., expanding bullet points into full paragraphs).
• Auto-Completion – Predictive text tools (like GPT-powered systems) can fill in missing words, phrases, or even entire sections of an article based on the given context.
• Paraphrasing & Rewriting – Just as generative fill in images blends new elements seamlessly, AI writing tools can rewrite or reword text while maintaining its original meaning.
• Coherence & Flow Enhancement – AI can detect gaps in logic and generate transitional sentences or missing details to ensure smooth reading.

Generative Fill in Music and Video Editing

So, Generative Fill technology extends beyond images and can be applied in various creative fields, such as:

• Music: AI can generate missing notes, fill in musical gaps, or even create entire compositions based on a given melody or style. Tools like Suno AI and Udio can complete musical pieces, extend themes, or generate new segments in the same style.
• Video: In video editing, AI generative fill can add missing frames, replace backgrounds, or even generate new scenes. Tools like Runway ML and Adobe Sensei leverage AI to fill in gaps in video sequences, improve continuity, or generate visual effects.

In all these areas, the core idea remains the same—AI intelligently creates or completes content that blends naturally with the existing material.

Pros and Cons of Using AI for Image Editing

AI Generative Fill has a pretty predictable target audience, hitting the spot for both professionals who deal with massive image packages, and hobbyists who spend days on one photo and could use some help.

With it, graphic designers will carve out some time to experiment with new design ideas, while photographers (especially wedding and concert ones) will be able to easily remove distracting elements from once-in-a-lifetime shots or extend compositions. Marketing teams will enjoy the ability to quickly adapt visuals for different campaigns without having to start from scratch. And a social media content creator can produce engaging images with minimal effort. Beginners, too, should have the opportunity to explore creative edits without needing advanced Photoshop skills.

But, like any new technology, Photoshop AI has its… let’s say, nuances. “With great power”, and all that. Let’s start with the benefits to contrast the ups and downs.

• Saves time. What used to take hours can now be done in minutes.
• Great for beginners. You don’t need advanced Photoshop skills to create competent edits.
• Boosts creativity. AI-generated elements can give you new ideas by cooking up something unexpected.
• Useful for content creators. Quick background removal or object additions elevate visuals without extensive editing knowledge.
• Seamless integration. Works within Photoshop’s existing toolset: no need to learn a new graphic package for easy refinements.

Now, for the less fun aspects.

• Not always accurate. Sometimes AI-generated elements don’t blend perfectly and require manual touch-ups. Not to mention, you should approach augmenting reality with ethical responsibility, especially when it comes to other people’s depictions.
• Limited by training data. The AI can only generate content based on what it has been trained on, which limits its originality and aesthetics. The dataset might simply not carry what you’re looking for.
• Degradation of skillset. Professionals who rely on AI help for too long may experience a loss of basic knowledge that brought them to their level in the first place.
• Skipping the basics when learning. Newbies might miss essential knowledge when building their work processes and encounter difficulties when presented with different software at a workplace or when the AI features malfunction. Ideally, every specialist should know all the manual steps to a goal before resorting to AI automation.
• Ethical concerns. AI-generated images raise questions about copyright and originality in creative work. This is an especially touchy topic for commercial projects.
• Overuse can make designs feel generic. Relying too much on AI might lead to work that lacks a unique touch. Homogeneity in training data may also lead to the tool’s decline in quality.

AI and the Future of Graphic Design

The introduction of AI into Photoshop has reignited discussions about what is graphic design and how much of it will remain human-driven. While AI can assist with editing, it doesn’t replace creativity. It acts as a tool to expand possibilities rather than replace designers. The real magic happens when AI tools and human intuition work together. AI is changing how we communicate ideas. For example, if you’re writing out your project presentation, AI-powered writing tools can help you bridge the gap between you and your client faster.

In Adobe Photoshop, AI is making image editing less labor-intensive and more accessible. Photoshop Generative Fill is a glimpse into how unburdening the routine on AI can assist professionals and beginners alike.

The future of creativity shouldn’t be about AI replacing artists or about ai art vs human art, but about making creative work easier and more fun instead. Go ahead, ask AI to lend a hand, and see all the places you can go together!

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