26.6 ..Urgent Request: Please Restore the Previous "Reference Image" Feature

Question

To the Photoshop Development Team,I was a heavy user of the "Reference Image" feature in Photoshop Beta 26.6 and found it to be an essential part of my workflow.I was shocked to find that in the latest version, this has been replaced by the "Object Reference" feature. While I understand this may have been intended as an upgrade, the new system is not a suitable substitute and has disrupted my ability to work effectively. The original "Reference Image" feature was fundamentally different and, for my needs, far more capable.Losing such a well-designed and powerful feature is a significant step backward. I am writing to strongly urge you to please bring back the original "Reference Image" feature. It is a tool I desperately wish to continue using.I sincerely hope you will reconsider this change and re-introduce this vital functionality.Thank you.

943779682381ol · Answer

Feedback on Generative Fill: A Strong Request to Restore the "Reference Image" Feature from Beta 26.6

To the Adobe Photoshop Development Team,

I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the incredible advancements you've made with the generative AI tools in Photoshop. They have become a vital part of my creative process. I am also writing to provide critical feedback on a recent change regarding the "Reference Image" feature that was present in Beta version 26.6.

I understand that this feature has since been evolved into an enhanced function. However, for many professional workflows, the original implementation was significantly more effective. While generating results from a text prompt can be powerful, my process—and that of many other creators—often relies on first creating a specific visual concept. Using that finished image as a direct reference for Generative Fill allows for a level of consistency, control, and quality that is simply not achievable with the current tools. The 26.6 feature allowed us to guide the AI to a result that was much closer to our intended vision.

I believe there's a parallel to be drawn with the leading AI video generation platforms. Many of them are developing two distinct paths: text-to-video and image-to-video. I suspect this is for a similar reason—providing creators with a more controlled, predictable starting point when a specific visual style or composition is already established. The "image as the prompt" is an incredibly powerful workflow.

For these reasons, I respectfully but strongly request that you reconsider this direction and bring back the "Reference Image" functionality from Beta version 26.6 in a future update. That feature was not just a tool; it was a cornerstone of a predictable, high-quality professional workflow.

Thank you for your tireless dedication to building the future of creative tools and for taking the time to consider the feedback of your user community.

Sincerely,
MAENG

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