How Do I Get Reference Images to Work with Partner Models (Ps rel. 27.6)?

Forum|Forum|25 days ago
May 4, 2026
2 replies
90 views

I just installed Ps production rel. 27.6. The release notes suggested I should be able to use partner models with Reference Images. I cannot get that to work (Win 11). I’ve tried a few different approaches with different images (I select an area of my image, download a ref image, in that dialog box say I want the object to be used and swapped into the selected area on my main image). I’m not able to use any partner models in that process. The only way for me to get a Generate option that works is with the new Firefly Fill and Expand model. Did I misunderstand that partner models should work also? If so, can someone pls detail the steps to get them to work using Reference Images? Thx in advance!

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Fotomaker01RAAuthor

Known Participant

Sameer, I checked. I should have the full Pro functionality. Ref images with partner models is definitely not working on my 2 Win PCs - one running latest beta and one running latest production release. I've done all the usually prescribed Pref resets and multiple approaches to try to get it to work.

Depending on the order I use, either the Gen Fill description box or the Generate button are grayed out and unusable. And, it is impossible to remove a downloaded reference image. The trash can icon in that dialog box will not remove the opened ref image. I need to shut down Ps to get rid of it.

Is Corey or an expediter of his willing to investigate this if he's still PM? We had to do that with a different issue last yr and what I'd reported was a bug the devs had to correct.

Thx for your response!

Srishti Bali

Community Manager

Hi @Fotomaker01RA

Sorry for the delayed response! Cory is still the PM for Photoshop. Could you please share a short video showing the workflow and the issue? That would help us better understand the problem. I can then forward it to the team for further investigation.

Thank you for your help and patience!

Thanks, Srishti Bali | Community & Engagement Strategist, Digital Imaging | Adobe

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Fotomaker01RAAuthor

Known Participant

Hi Srishti, Thx for your note. I actually offered to do that, then prepped and sent 2 usage videos that showed the issue to Cory over a wk ago. He replied this past Monday saying they were “excellent” (a little flattery goes a long way, sometimes….). So he was able to see what was happening. I used the most current rel. of Ps Beta to record the videos when I recorded. This past Monday (5/18) I updated to the subsequent release. Same bhvr continues. Cory mentioned there might be a new update released today (5/21).

What I told Cory, to supplement my demo videos which showed me trying to work with Ref Images and Partner Models using the Contextual Taskbar (CTB) - and it not working - was that I am able to get partner models and ref images to work together using Gen Fill from the Edit menu. And, that that suggested to me there might be some code linkage breakdown between the feature functionality (that is accessible via the Edit menu) and where the CTB is looking to know how to achieve the same functionality there.

I’m assuming there’s no specific permission that must be activated to use that functionality via the CTB. Certainly the box to download a Ref Image is there and operates. But the only model supported for Ref Images use, in the CTB, is Firefly Fill/Expand; none of the partner models (the “Generate” button greys out after a Ref Image is downloaded as soon as a partner model name is clicked on).

I also mentioned to Cory that I’d seen a video of Terry Wht using Ref Images and Partner models using the CTB. But …. in his demo video, Terry was working on some sort of a Mac (Apple OS) and I’m on Win 11 (NVIDIA processor, Studio driver).

I see the same bhvr on my completely separate desktop PC that’s running the latest production rel. of Ps. I keep the beta and production versions segregated on 2 different PCs to avoid any ‘issues’.

Hope this helps! I have conveyed this info to Cory. But I assume he’s busy so can’t hurt to have another pair of eyes on the issue/challenge of what’s happening. Thx again!

Sameer K

Community Manager

Hey, @Fotomaker01RA. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I've verified the release v27.6 and the steps to use Reference image in Generative fill are as follows:

Open Your Image: Begin by selecting File > Open to open the image you want to edit.
Make a Selection: Use a selection tool, such as the Selection Brush, to define the area you wish to edit.
Select Generative Fill: With your selection active, choose Generative Fill from the options.
Choose the AI Model:
- In the Contextual Task Bar, click on the model selector.
- Review the available AI models. The partner models include:
  - Gemini 3.1 (with Nano Banana 2)
  - Gemini 3 (with Nano Banana Pro)
  - Gemini 2.5 (with Nano Banana)
  - FLUX.2 pro
  - FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]
- Hover over a model to view additional details, then select the desired partner model.
Upload Reference Image: After selecting the partner model, a Reference image panel should appear. Upload the image you want Photoshop to reference.
Enter a Prompt (if needed): You can enter a detailed prompt describing what you want to generate, or leave it blank for Photoshop to fill the selection using surrounding pixels.
Generate: Click on Generate, then choose a variation from the Properties panel if applicable.

Also, I've checked your account and you currently have an EDU subscription, so the access to partner models may be limited, so it's better to get in touch with the IT, or the Subscription Admin to learn more about your entitlements.

Thanks!
Sameer K

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Fotomaker01RAAuthor

Known Participant

I'll try that.

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