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

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
October 8, 2023
26 replies
25663 views

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.

macOS

Correct answer mrabbit1993

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

Show previous replies

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burnblue00

Participant

Yep, same here

K

keithj45977691

Participant

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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nickross

Participant

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?!

T

Tactive Prepress 2

Participating Frequently

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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Anthony33371735tjjq

Participant

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.