Adobe is rolling out a fresh batch of AI-driven tools across its flagship design software, Photoshop, and Illustrator, aiming to streamline processes that traditionally took hours. These updates, introduced during the Adobe Max conference, feature new automation features that are expected to cut down the time it takes to edit photos and create designs.
One of the stand-out features in Photoshop is “Distraction Removal”, which builds on the existing Remove Tool. The upgrade allows the software to identify and erase distracting elements—think stray people, or tangled wires—at the click of a button. This brings it closer in functionality to Google’s Magic Eraser, making clean-up quicker and more intuitive for users who want a polished final product with minimal manual effort.
Firefly-Powered Generative Tools Expanding
Adobe’s Firefly generative AI model takes center stage in this update. Firefly powers a range of tools in Photoshop, including Generative Fill, Expand, Generate Background, and Generate Similar. These features are now more powerful thanks to an update to the Firefly model, promising improved photo-realism and better comprehension of user prompts.
Users now have the flexibility to choose whether to apply generative AI or stick to traditional AI, and Photoshop’s new option to automatically select the appropriate tool for each task based on image content makes the process more seamless. With these changes, Adobe is essentially giving creators more control over the tools they use to achieve their desired outcomes.
Illustrator and InDesign Step-Up
In Illustrator, the new “Objects on Path” feature brings a new way for designers to place and move items along any path on the artboard, providing more flexibility when working with shapes and layouts. Adobe has also fine-tuned Illustrator’s Image Trace tool, which now delivers cleaner and sharper vector results that match the original raster images more closely.
InDesign now incorporates the Generative Expand tool, which previously debuted in Photoshop. This feature allows users to extend and adapt images to fit any layout, an improvement likely to speed up the design process for print and digital media projects.
Meanwhile, Adobe’s Premiere Pro benefits from AI integration with the new Firefly AI Video Model, currently in beta, that introduces a Generative Extend feature for video content. The model is expected to form the foundation for further AI video editing tools across the Creative Cloud suite.
Responsibly Using AI
Adobe has emphasized its dedication to ethical AI use, embedding content verification features such as Content Credentials,a system developed by Adobe that provides transparent metadata about digital content, including its origin, editing history, and whether AI tools were used in its creation.
Additionally, Adobe’s Content Authenticity web app is set to make it easier for creators to secure proper credit for their work. The free app will allow creators to sign their work with batch-applied credentials, helping ensure that their contributions remain protected in an era of rapid AI development.
Faster Workflows, Better Performance
Beyond the flashy new tools, Adobe has focused on boosting performance across both Photoshop and Illustrator. In Photoshop, color workflows have been improved with the introduction of OCIO Configuration, allowing designers to maintain more consistent color management across their projects. A 32-bit HDR workflow upgrade also means sharper detail and color precision when working on high-quality images.
In Illustrator, updates include enhanced usability features such as the ability to export artboards as PDFs, as well as improvements to everyday tools like the Rectangular Marquee and gradient creation tools. Illustrator users will also notice smoother operations when resizing artboards and using the Quick Gradient feature for faster coloring adjustments. These tweaks are designed to shave time off daily tasks, letting users focus on creativity instead of wrestling with technical limitations.
In the bigger picture, Adobe is positioning these updates to empower creatives with faster, smarter tools to get their work done. The tools are available globally.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:34 pm CET