Reference Image (beta) for Generative Fill & Generative Expand
Today we are releasing Photoshop (Beta) on the desktop 25.9 with a sneak peek at an under-construction feature; Reference Image.
Reference Image for Generative Fill and Generative Expand allows you to upload an image of your choice, then Generative Fill uses the content of this visual input as a reference to influence the generated results. This means that the output takes inspiration from the content of your provided image in addition to - or - instead of your prompt. A picture is worth 1000 words!
Reference Image for Generative Fill/Expand works differently than the style-based Reference Image in Generate Image (our new beta Firefly text-to-image feature in Photoshop (Beta) on the desktop 25.9); Generate Image uses Style for references, Generative Fill & Generative Expand use Content.
Follow these steps to generate variations using Reference Image:
- Generate an object or scene using Generative Fill or Generative Expand workflows.
- Select the Reference Image icon
from the Contextual Task Bar or the Properties panel then Choose image to upload your desired image.
Pair this image with descriptive text prompts, if necessary. - Click Generate.

Feedback request:
- Please tell us your thoughts on the results.
- Let us know how your are using this feature in your workflow.
- It’s helpful for us to see 1. the original image 2. the source Reference image and 3. the result.
Respond in this thread or provide input via the Beta Feedback Panel; click the beaker, next to the blue Share button, in the Photoshop Options Bar
Tips & Tricks:
- The Reference Image icon gains an indicator when a Reference Image is being used.

- Isolate the subject of your source reference image and remove the background for a clean result without unexpected objects or transferred background.
Like this: Not this:

Known Issues:
- Background of source file is visible in result. The current workaround is to remove background of source image.
- Use a black or white background to isolate the subject in the source Reference Image. Do not use transparencty.
- Make your reference image Canvas Size a 1:1 square ratio (Image>Canvas size) if the results are unexpected and misshapen.
- Reference Image results are larger in scale (fill the selection) than non-reference image results.
Thank you for providing information so we can keep building this feature to better enhance your control and creativity.

