Generative Fill in Photoshop – The Ultimate Guide!
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Generative Fill in Photoshop lets you add, remove, or replace anything in an image by typing a text prompt.
Make a selection, describe what you want, and Photoshop generates the pixels for you on a separate, non-destructive layer.
Since this guide was first published, Generative Fill has grown up. You can now choose the AI model behind each generation, including Firefly Image 5 and partner models like Nano Banana Pro and Flux 2 Pro. Output resolution jumped from 1024 pixels to 2K. And the prompt rules changed depending on which model you use.
This guide is for beginners and covers everything current as of Photoshop 2026 (version 27) or the latest version. By the end, you will know how to make a selection, pick the right model, write a prompt that works, and fix the most common problems.
Key Takeaways
- You can now pick the AI model for each generation: Firefly Image 5, Firefly Fill and Expand, or partner models like Nano Banana Pro and Flux 2 Pro.
- Firefly models read your entire image for context and cost 1 generative credit. Partner models only see the pixels inside your selection and use more credits.
- Descriptive nouns and adjectives work best on Firefly models. Partner models also understand direct instructions like “turn the sweater red”.
- Output resolution is now 2K. The old 1024 pixel ceiling is gone.
- Leave the prompt empty to remove objects. For small distractions, the Remove Tool is faster and uses no credits.
- The selection you draw is part of the prompt. Its shape and size steer what Photoshop generates.
Table of contents
- What You’ll Learn
- Requirements
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- How to Use Generative Fill in Photoshop
- Which AI Model Should You Choose?
- Generative Fill Prompt Tips
- Remove Objects with Generative Fill
- Generate Objects, Clothes, and Backgrounds
- Extend Images with Generative Fill
- Resolution and Image Quality
- Generative Credits Explained
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Related Links
What You’ll Learn
- How to run a generation from selection to finished layer
- How to switch between Firefly and partner AI models
- How to write prompts that match the model you picked
- How to remove objects, generate new ones, and extend your canvas
- How to manage resolution and generative credits
Requirements
Before you start
- Photoshop 2026 (version 27) or the latest version
- An internet connection. Generations are processed in the cloud.
- A Creative Cloud plan with generative credits
- Any photo. No practice files or plugins needed.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Select the entire canvas | Ctrl A | Command A |
| Enter Quick Mask mode | Q | Q |
| Commit the generation | Enter | Return |
Tip: You can give Generative Fill its own shortcut under Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts. I use CtrlAltB, B for banana.
How to Use Generative Fill in Photoshop
Step 1: Make a Selection
Use any selection tool to select the area you want to change. The Lasso Tool works well because loose selections give the AI room to blend.
The selection is part of the prompt. Its shape and size steer the result, so a dog-shaped selection nudges Photoshop toward generating a dog in that pose.
Step 2: Open Generative Fill
Click the Generative Fill button in the contextual taskbar that appears under your selection. If you do not see the taskbar, enable it under Window > Contextual Task Bar.
Tip: Going to Edit > Generative Fill opens a larger prompt box. That extra room helps with the longer prompts that partner models prefer.
Step 3: Choose an AI Model
Click the Firefly icon next to the prompt box to see every image model available. You can also switch models from a dropdown in the Properties Panel after generating.
A model is the brain behind the generative AI. Each one has different strengths, which is why the next section compares them.
Step 4: Write the Prompt
Describe what you want to generate. You can also leave the box empty and Photoshop will fill the selection based on the surroundings, which is exactly how you remove objects.
The rules depend on the model. Firefly models want descriptive nouns and adjectives. Partner models also accept direct instructions. The prompt tips section below breaks this down.
Step 5: Generate and Pick a Variation
Click Generate. Photoshop creates a Generative Layer in the Layers Panel with its own layer mask, so your original image never changes.
The Properties Panel shows thumbnail variations. Click each one to preview it on your image, and click Generate again for three more. Deleting the variations you do not use keeps the file size down.
Tip: With Firefly models you also get an Enhance Detail button on the variations. It generates a sharper version of the result. Partner models do not offer it.
Which AI Model Should You Choose?
The biggest difference is context. Firefly models look at your entire image to match lighting, color, and perspective. Partner models only see the pixels inside your selection.
| Model | Best for | Credits per generation |
|---|---|---|
| Firefly Image 5 | Photorealistic fills that match the whole scene | 1 |
| Firefly Fill and Expand | People and animals, canvas extensions | 1 |
| Nano Banana Pro | Targeted edits from instructions, exact colors like Hex and Pantone | Premium, uses more credits |
| Nano Banana 2 | The newest Gemini model for instruction-based edits | Premium, uses more credits |
| Flux 2 Pro | Editing text inside an image | Premium, uses more credits |
Start with a Firefly model for everyday fills and removals. Reach for a partner model when you need it to follow an instruction, match an exact color, or rebuild text.
For a deeper dive into the partner models, read the Photoshop partner AI models guide.
Generative Fill Prompt Tips
On Firefly models, use descriptive nouns and adjectives. A prompt like “lake with calm reflective waves” works. An instruction like “make the dog bigger” does not.
Partner models flip that rule. Nano Banana Pro understands commands, so “turn the sweater red” works, and it even knows Hex and Pantone color codes. Longer, more descriptive prompts tend to work best on partner models.
A few more rules that hold on every model:
- Skip quality keywords. Typing HD, 4K, or a camera name does nothing here.
- Prompts work in over 100 languages, not just English.
- Regenerating always references your original image, not the previous generation.
- Turn off adjustment layers before generating. Photoshop feeds the merged image to the AI, so a strong color grade contaminates the result.
Tip: You can control how strongly a generation blends with the pixels below it. Press Q for Quick Mask and paint your selection with gray instead of white. Painting with 40% gray gives you a 40% intensity fill. The full technique is in the Generative Fill intensity variation tutorial.
Remove Objects with Generative Fill
Select the object, leave the prompt empty, and click Generate. Photoshop fills the selection based on the surrounding pixels and the unwanted element is gone.
Include a little of the area around the object in your selection. That context helps the fill blend with no visible seams.
For small distractions like wires, sensor spots, or a stray tourist, try the Remove Tool first. It runs almost instantly, works great on edges, and uses no generative credits. Generative Fill is the better choice for intricate detail or when you want to replace the object with something new. The full comparison is in how to remove anything from a photo in Photoshop.
Generate Objects, Clothes, and Backgrounds
To generate a new object, select the area where it should appear and describe it. Photoshop matches the lighting, perspective, and color of your scene, and reflections land where they should because Firefly models read the whole image.
To generate new clothes, select the clothing plus the arms so the AI can rebuild the pose naturally.
To replace a background, select everything behind your subject and prompt the new scene. Photoshop replaces every pixel in the selection, so select only what you want changed.
Generated content still benefits from traditional tools. Masks, Curves, and blending modes are what turn a good generation into a finished composite. See seamless photo blending with Generative Fill for that workflow.
Extend Images with Generative Fill
You can change an image’s aspect ratio and let the AI invent the missing edges.
Enable the Crop Tool and drag the handles outward to enlarge the canvas. Then activate the Rectangular Marquee Tool, select the empty area on one side, and include a small strip of the original image for context.
Leave the prompt empty and click Generate. Work one side at a time for the cleanest results, and use a Firefly model. Partner models do not support this kind of fill.
Photoshop also has a dedicated Generative Expand mode built into the Crop Tool. Compare both approaches in the Generative Expand tutorial.
Resolution and Image Quality
Generative Fill originally maxed out at 1024 pixels on the longest side, which caused soft, stretched results on large images. That ceiling is gone. Generations now output at 2K resolution with sharper detail.
On very large canvases you can still outrun the output size. Two fixes:
- Fill big areas in smaller pieces instead of one giant selection. The technique is in the Generative Fill low resolution fix.
- Run Generative Upscale under Image > Generative Upscale to enhance resolution after the fact, with output up to 4X.
Generative Credits Explained
Every generation spends generative credits from your Creative Cloud plan’s monthly allocation.
Firefly models are the economical choice at 1 credit per generation. Partner models are premium and currently use roughly 10 to 40 credits depending on the model. If you run out, you can wait for the monthly reset or buy additional credits.
The Remove Tool uses generative AI without spending any credits, which is one more reason to reach for it on small cleanup jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generative Fill is Photoshop’s AI feature that adds, removes, or replaces content inside a selection from a text prompt. Results land on a separate Generative Layer with a mask, so the edit is non-destructive.
It is included with Creative Cloud plans, but each generation spends generative credits from a monthly allocation. Firefly models cost 1 credit per generation and partner models cost more. When you run out, you can wait for the monthly reset or buy additional credits.
Start with Firefly Image 5. It reads your whole image for context and costs 1 credit. Switch to Nano Banana Pro when you need instruction-based edits or exact colors, and to Flux 2 Pro when you need to edit text inside an image.
On Firefly models, no. They want descriptive nouns and adjectives, like dramatic blue sky with clouds. Partner models such as Nano Banana Pro do understand instructions, so commands like turn the sweater red work there.
Older versions generated at a maximum of 1024 pixels and stretched the result. Current versions output at 2K resolution. If a fill still looks soft on a very large canvas, fill the area in smaller pieces or run Generative Upscale afterward.
The Remove Tool is a brush for deleting distractions. It runs almost instantly and spends no generative credits. Generative Fill is selection-based, processes in the cloud, and can replace content with something new, which makes it better for intricate or creative edits.
Yes. Generative Fill has been out of beta and cleared for commercial use since Photoshop 2024. Photoshop also attaches Content Credentials to generated images so the AI usage is transparent.
Conclusion
Generative Fill went from an exciting beta to an everyday Photoshop tool. Pick the right model, write the prompt that model expects, and let the traditional tools finish the job.
None of this requires an AI background. If you can make a selection, you can use Generative Fill.
Watch the full video above to see every technique in real time.
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