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responsible_mindset1549
Known Participant
Oct 8, 2023 1:00 AM UTC
Answered

generative expand: "To use this feature, first drag the canvas to expand."

Hello. As I try to use the new Generative Expand function, I get the following message (attached): "To use this feature, first drag the canvas to expand." I'm calling this a "bug" because 1.- it makes no sense at all "first drag the canvas to expand" what does that even mean? – and 2.- because there is no further explanation, tutorial, click here to see more", etc. I tried dragging the canvas (the way I understand that) but the nonesense message keeps popping up (please consider getting some English Major to create these pop-up messages. Software Engineers... well, only they can understand themselves.) Ideas? Guidance? Thank you in advance. A.C.

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mrabbit1993Correct answer
Participant
Aug 19, 2024 4:21 PM UTC

I was able to fix this for Photoshop 24.

When you have your crop tool selected, click the gear icon on the top tool bar. Deselect use classic mode, then the lines apear over your canvass that you can drag and it works. If you have to type in a prompt "Expand Background" works, so long as you didn't change the background layer name

42 replies

Participant
Dec 15, 2023 12:33 AM UTC

This is unacceptable.  This feature does not work, and the error message is nonsense.  I expect better from Adobe.

Any idea of a fix?  I just updated minutes ago...

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Participant
Dec 9, 2023 12:20 PM UTC

Alô adobe estamos tendo esse erro sem respostas!!!

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Participant
Dec 6, 2023 7:18 AM UTC

Yep, same here

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Participant
Dec 2, 2023 5:31 PM UTC

I think it's a misunderstanding of the tool. If I open a file, click Crop and expand beyond the canvas, the Generative Fill tool will automatically resize the canvas and fill it.

 

If I goto Image > Resize Canvas, change the canvas size there, then click Crop and attempt to use Generative Expand, I receive the error.

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Participant
Oct 2, 2024 11:39 PM UTC

This is THE answer for those tearing their hair out. How does Ai not recognise the big empty space(s) but can do such a great job of filling it?!

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Participating Frequently
Dec 1, 2023 5:00 PM UTC

I've been having this issue as well. I updated my PS today to v25.2 in the hopes it would fix it and can confirm that it does not work as described in their help page here: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/generative-expand.html
The popup shared by the OP occurs once selecting Generative Expand in step 4 and will not do anything further. All prior steps were followed exactly as detailed.

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Participant
Nov 3, 2023 6:16 PM UTC

Yes, and when the canvas is expanded and the area is selected, the error still occurs when invoking the feature. 

 

It's not about size or direction, but there's no way based on many of the tutorials. 

 

However, if you use the select tool and then use generative fill, it works like the expansion would be expected to.  It's just not using the crop tool.

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hellopaul4
Inspiring
Feb 26, 2026 7:22 PM UTC

So basically, the “generative expand” does not actually exist - we just expand the canvas as we’ve done for decades, then do a generative fill. Annoying.

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D Fosse
Community Expert
Community Expert
Nov 3, 2023 6:01 PM UTC

Well, how much do you think it should expand the canvas? A little? A tiny bit? Or a lot? And in what direction? Right, left, up, down?

 

You drag the canvas to define the area to expand.

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Participant
Nov 3, 2023 5:48 PM UTC

Same issue here.  seems to be no way to use this feature anymore?

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