5.2 – Photoshop AI Generative Fill Lesson

Lesson Overview

Photoshop’s Generative Fill marks a turning point in digital image editing. Unlike past tools, Generative Fill lets you edit photos just by describing changes in text—for example, asking Photoshop to remove objects, swap surfaces, or extend backgrounds, all in a few clicks. This lesson introduces you to the update, starting with how to get the right version of Photoshop, then guides you through practical, real-world examples.

By using Generative Fill, you’ll see how text-based editing simplifies tasks that once took hours—like removing distractions, adding new subjects, or adjusting landscapes. Each change exists on its own “generative” layer, leaving your original image unchanged, making it easy to experiment or revert. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a creative pro, this tool makes sophisticated editing far more accessible.

Imagine quickly swapping an object (turning an apple into an orange), extending a beach scene, or changing a wooden surface to marble—all by describing your idea. The lesson demonstrates exactly how and where these features can accelerate creative work and solve common editing challenges.

Who This Is For

If you want a faster, more approachable way to create and modify visual content, this lesson is for you. Generative Fill empowers a range of users, including:

• Designers seeking new creative workflows or rapid prototyping
• Marketers producing custom visuals for campaigns
• Educators preparing learning materials with tailored imagery
• Content creators and social media managers upgrading media posts
• Anyone interested in AI-powered photo editing without deep design skills

Where This Fits in a Workflow

Generative Fill fits at the heart of image preparation and creative project workflows. You’ll typically use it while editing campaign visuals, creating graphics for presentations, or preparing photo composites. For instance, if you need to remove a background distraction for an ad, or expand an image’s size for a website banner, Generative Fill provides quick, visual answers.

Common applications include transforming product backdrops for e-commerce, adding or removing elements in course materials, or renewing social graphics without starting from scratch. Its flexibility and speed can help you meet project deadlines, deliver better visuals to clients, or simply experiment more freely with creative ideas.

Technical & Workflow Benefits

Traditional image editing in Photoshop often relies on manual selection, cloning, or blending tools. These methods require precision and time, especially for complex edits. Generative Fill eliminates many manual steps: you select an area and describe what you want. The AI generates realistic changes in seconds, offering several results to choose from.

This workflow is much more efficient, particularly when removing objects, swapping backgrounds, or extending scenes. For example, changing an apple into an orange or replacing sky details would typically take multiple adjustment layers and retouching. Generative Fill reduces this to a single prompt and selection—saving substantial time. Non-destructive generative layers mean experimentation carries no risk, letting you try new ideas without altering your original file.

Practice Exercise

To put these skills into action:

1. Open an image in the Photoshop beta with Generative Fill.
2. Use the lasso or another selection tool to select an object or area.
3. Click “Generative Fill” and type a prompt (e.g., “remove,” “place a sailboat,” or “marble surface”) to change the selection.

Once Photoshop generates the edit, review the different variations. Compare the generative approach to manual editing.

Reflection Question: Which edit method felt faster and more flexible for your task? How did the AI’s results compare to your expectations for realism and usability?

Course Context Recap

This lesson builds directly on your introduction to AI in Photoshop, focusing specifically on the hands-on use of Generative Fill. Previously, you learned about AI’s integration into Photoshop and the overall capabilities of Adobe Firefly. Now you’ve seen how to apply those tools practically.

The next lessons will dig deeper into more advanced editing tricks and explore how Generative Fill fits with other AI-powered features in Photoshop. Continue through the course to master generative AI for creative projects, marketing assets, and more.