Has Firefly Image 3 become a scam?

[Jarlskov]

I have to start by saying again, I have at the longest time finding the right places to write complaints. This whole miserable website simply does not allow a place where you can. That's why I don't care where I write my posts, and that's the explanation of why I'm writing this in here. Adobe should not prevent me from writing about them by omitting the opportunity.

Then we're here again! Ever since Adobe came with their laughable Firefly Image 4 Ultra, Firefly Image 3 doesn't work. Adobe still has it standing as an option, but every time I use it, I get the message "Something went wrong. Try again later." After countless attempts, it is clear that Firefly Image 3 is in fact just shut down - I have to fail to come with my guesses why. The thing is that neither Firefly 4 nor the complete ridiculous Firefly Image 4 Ultra is unable to do the same as Firefly Image 3. Especially when it comes to composition drawings, here it is simply impossible to reproduce a motive in 3 and 4. In that way, Adobe has pushed me away from their AI products. I understand Adobe has entered into an agreement with other AI products as their own is so miserable. I know Adobe is completely indifferent to what I mean, I learned that through the 20 years I have been a customer and was not for their old products - especially Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Audition, then I was gone. All Adobes AI products I have now dropped and subscribe to other options (all of which are cheaper and better). And I am constantly looking for alteration at the old products I mentioned before because I feel like part of a very unpleasant club as a subscriber to Adobe. I don't expect to get anything out of writing this here, because I have many years of experience with this Wall of Defense (Adobe Community), which Adobe has built up to avoid listening to their customers. Instead, we are offered this community opportunity where we can go and shout desperately at eachother.

[J E L]

Hi @Jarlskov, 

Thank you for sharing your feedback. As a long-time Adobe customer myself, and now a volunteer here in the Community, I understand your frustration, especially with Firefly Image 3 and composition drawings in Firefly Image 4 Ultra. I’m sorry you’re feeling unheard. It’s maddening when things don’t work as expected. With AI being integrated into nearly every Adobe app, there are plenty of downsides but there are upsides, too.

The “Something went wrong” error with Firefly Image 3 may be due to browser or server issues. Have you tried clearing your browser cache or using Google Chrome? For composition drawings, could you share more details about the specific issues you’re facing with Firefly 4 Ultra? The Community is great for troubleshooting specific workflows, and I’d love to help find a solution.

[Jarlskov]

I have no problems with Firefly 4 ultra, I just tested the two free images
I got and was shocked at how bad it was. It couldn't even make the legs
equal on a person. So I laughed a bit at that. But now I use Open Art,
which is cheaper and much better, so I don't need Firefly 4 ultra.

But for over a year I have used a method that I have based my entire design
on. A method that I could do through Firefly 3, but which does not work at
all with the 4, because the 4 is completely hopeless at using composition
images. I have tried what you wrote about browser cache, although I would
be surprised if I have always used the same browser for firefly and that it
does not give the same error with all the other models - only Image 3. Now
I am unable to reproduce the design I have used for a year and it is
extremely unsatisfying. Therefore, I must state that in the future I cannot
trust Adobe and therefore cannot allow myself to use it, as I may suddenly
be deprived of the opportunity to create the designs I have set my mind to.
So now that Image 3 has been shut down, I have to start working on a new
design and it will certainly not be with tools from Adobe. It has to be
something I can trust.

[J E L]

@Jarlskov, wow, that sounds like a disappointment for sure. I think it's fine that you've found something else that does work for your workflow and designs. There is rarely a one-size-fits-all for anything, and that includes Adobe software. I am a big believer in trying all types of platforms and using a mix to get what I need. Just out of curiosity, I'd love to know what prompt(s) you've used for Firefly Image 4 Ultra that are unsatisfying. Here's one I tried (I'm currently working on a book about Hawaii). I think it's pretty fair, not great. And I'm not sure why it only rendered one image. A credit thing, I think.

[Jarlskov]

I also use many different AI's, but it is really problematic that when I find a method, Adobe then suddenly removes that option again. That means I can't trust Adobe in the future, because I don't know how long I will be allowed to use what I could use from them. That is my biggest problem and the reason why I now have to completely move away from Adobe AI. I can't risk all my work being ruined again because Adobe's business model is to constantly force us customers into their new initiatives. Regarding firefly 4 ultra, I don't have the pictures anymore, but I did the same prompt on both image 3, 4 and 4 ultra and 4 ultra was clearly the worst. I think Adobe AI must be the last AI that still can't draw 5 fingers on a hand. I never experience that problem in chatGPT or Open Art AI. I must say, however, that I never make photos or realistic pictures, only drawn illustrations with a special style. So I don't know how it works with realistic pictures. But I know that the composition function is completely ridiculous in image 4, it simply can't reproduce a structure. Image 3 could, but they then closed it. Yes, they haven't officially closed it, it just doesn't work anymore, funnily enough. I smell a business model.

[Kartika Rawat]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We completely understand your concerns regarding the unpredictability of tool availability and the inconsistency in output quality between versions of Firefly. We’ll be sure to pass your feedback along to our product teams for consideration.

Let us know if you have any questions.

^KR

[J E L]

@Jarlskov yes, I see what you mean. Ultra is probably not the best for drawn illustrations. Here is what the Adobe blog says about it:

“When your projects demand more detail and realism, Image Model 4 Ultra is your go-to. This model shines in rendering photorealistic scenes, human portraits, and small groups, ensuring they look natural and lifelike. It's designed for highly complex needs, when precision and clarity are paramount.”