How to use Firefly in Photoshop

Wanting to use Firefly in Photoshop? We got you. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to use Firefly in Photoshop.

Adobe Firefly and other platforms such as Midjourney, are releasing new and updated software to edit images through text effect generation and they are quickly becoming very popular. Adobe has recently introduced Firefly which has new and exciting AI features including Text to image, Generative fill, Text effects and Generative colour.

A standalone web-based Firefly Beta app is available for testing the new AI features such as Text to Image, Text Effects, and Generative Fill. To get it, go to the Firefly page, log in with your Creative Cloud account, and sign up. Or if you want to use the Generative Fill on Photoshop, follow the steps below.

Let’s get into it.

How to use Firefly in Photoshop

• Create an account
• Install the Adobe Creative Cloud
• Install Photoshop (Beta) to use Firefly

Step 1: Create an account

1. Head to the Adobe Website, click “Sign in” in the top right and then “Create an account”
2. Choose either email, gmail, apple to create an account
3. Adobe will send a confirmation link to your email. Confirm your account by clicking on the link.
4. Once confirmed, you can now access Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app! 

Step 2: Install the Adobe Creative Cloud

1. On the Adobe website click “Download” button
2. Click on “Apps” and then “Creative Cloud desktop app” to download
3. Once downloaded, double-click on file to launch 
4. Follow the on screen instructions to install the app
5. Once installed, launch and sign in with your Adobe ID and password

Step 3: Install Photoshop (Beta) and start using the generative tool!

1. Open Creative Cloud on your desktop
2. On the toolbar on the left-hand side of your screen, click “Beta apps” in the categories section. 
3. In the “Beta apps” folder, install Photoshop (Beta)
4. Once installed, open the Photoshop (Beta) app
5. Choose an image to edit 
6. Below the image should be a grey ‘Contextual’ Task Bar. If you can’t see it, click Windows at the top of your screen and select Contextual Task bar
7. Here you can find Firefly’s Generative Fill tool
8. Enjoy!

A standalone web-based Firefly Beta app is now available for testing features such as Text to Image, Text Effects, and Generative Fill. To get it, go to the Firefly page, log in with your Creative Cloud account, and sign up. Or you can download the beta Photoshop app to experiment with Generative Fill, though you need a Creative Cloud individual, team, or enterprise license for that.

Is Photoshop’s Firefly generative AI good?

To kick off, let’s talk about the creative control of the user. According to Maria Yap, Adobe’s vice president of digital imaging, Photoshop’s firefly “puts the power and control of generative AI into the hands of the creator”. We can’t argue with her there; the user has extensive control to create images based on their own text prompts as well as add words and details to shape the style and content of the image. In addition, there are detailed controls which can decide on the aspect ratio and whether it’ll be photo-realistic or abstract. No more unwanted janky lines and false shadowing! A standout is the simplicity of the new software, no longer do you have to find your own source material and splice it in, it’s as simple as selecting the image and writing what you want in the image.

What are the drawbacks?

However, there are some drawbacks to this new software. Like many editing and photoshopping software, there are visual flaws. In Photoshop Firefly the images that are generated do not always align with the image and can result in inaccurate lighting, perspective and geometry. A reocurring issue is also the insertion of humans into shots where faces end up distorting. Users have also complained about the limited range of training imagery. 

Another thing to note is if you are wanting to use Firefly technology for commercial purposes, this is not possible.

Verdict

These critiques are seemingly minor in comparison to the positives. Currently the new software is proving popular amongst photoshop users. It is worth noting that the software is still in beta. Adobe have recognised the need for software edits and updates and for their users to “expect monthly updates for general improvements”. Following on, the landscape shots and detailing of the visuals are some of the best that Photoshop has ever seen. One user recognised its ability to colour match the image inserted with the ‘sodium vapour street lights’ in an image. Moreover, if you are unhappy with images generated, you can click the “generate” button to get another batch of images to insert into the shot. 

Final Word

Now you know how to use Firefly in Photoshop you can go and get creative! What we’ve established here is that Photoshop Firefly generative AI, no doubt, has some visual drawbacks and may not be up to some users satisfaction in regards to the product that they are promising. However, to consider the fact that it is still in beta, the high level of detail and user control over the image is highly impressive. Considering the differences between Adobe Firefly vs Midjourney would be of use to photographers and editors who are wanting to find the right software for editing.