P: New AI-powered Generative Remove (Early Access) available across all surfaces.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

This post applies to Lightroom Classic and the Lightroom Ecosystem products.
Post Camera Raw feedback here

This thread is now closed. Please update to LrC 14.x or LrD 8.x. If you wish to provide feedback, please go to the new article.

The Lightroom team is sharing an early look at Generative Remove, which makes it easier to remove unwanted objects and distractions, even on complex backgrounds, with a simple brush stroke. Generative Remove is powered by Firefly AI.

How to use Generative Remove on a desktop:

• You can find Generative Remove under the newly renamed Remove panel (aka “Heal”).
• Make sure the “generative AI” checkbox is enabled before you start brushing (note: when unchecked, Lightroom will use Content-Aware Remove to fill your brushed spots). 
• By default, you will be given a moment to refine your selection with an add or subtract brush. Remember to include shadows for a more accurate result! You can also skip this step by holding down ‘CTRL’ on windows or ‘CMD’ on mac as you finish your brush stroke. 
• Once you’re ready to apply and have accepted the terms, Generative Remove will use Firefly AI to remove your distractions and intelligently fill in the space that’s left by the removed objects. 
• Note: stable internet connection is required to use this feature.
• Generative Remove also lets you choose from multiple variations, so you can pick the one you like best, giving you full creative control. 
  
  Checkout the FAQ and Best Practices

Please give it a try and share feedback and/or report variations in this community forum. It would greatly help to include details like which app you are using (i.e., Lightroom Classic or Camera Raw) and other system details. Our team will continually monitor this thread to track issues to improve the future experience.

Lisa Ngo: Lightroom Product Manager
Posted by: Rikk Flohr 

Update (Dec 2024):  With the new release, it is no longer necessary to perform Generative Remove Operations prior to Cropping. 

Update:

Here are some tips if you are having issues with the feature replacing your object instead of removing it. 

• Enlarge your selection - if your brush stroke is too tight, you will have unexpected results.
• Remember that removing an object means painting over it, its shadow, its reflection, and any non-contiguous pieces. If you leave behind a shadow, a reflection, or a disconnected piece (e.g., a hand on a shoulder), the AI will attempt to create something to cast the shadow, reflect, or complete the unbrushed discontinuous item. You can avoid these issue by following the guidance provided in this linked tutorial. https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace

The recommended order for applying edits is:

1. Denoise 
2. Heal (includes Generative AI Remove)
3. Crop (includes traditional Cropping, Lens Correction, Transform, or any operation changing the geometry of the image, including round-tripping to PS to use Gen-Expand)
4. Global Edits
5. AI Selective edits (Sky, Person, etc)
   
   If you deviate from that, you may see the removed object remain as a ghost image. If this occurs, you will have to use Update AI Settings, which can be found under the Develop module 'Settings' menu.

[Aplanc]

When I encounter a problem like that, I need to eliminate something I a
photo I had cropped and work on, I edit in Photoshop

[frans_7714]

Love this enhancent. Work most of the timens OK but sometimes it leaves some content of the removed subject. It need some further improvement to make it better. But overall I'm glad with it.

[John R Ellis]

@frans_7714: "sometimes it leaves some content of the removed subject."

See this article for how to remove objects more reliably:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace/

Most complaints about Remove are addressed in the article. But if it doesn't help, please attach a full-resolution JPEG exported from the unmodified original photo, so we and Adobe can see the issue in detail. With nearly everyone who has posted a problem photo, we've been able to show how to quickly remove the desired objects.

[laura_2143]

in love with this feature. even while it doesnt always remove only replace. can't wait for the whole acess to come out it would be incredible.

[John R Ellis]

@laura_2143: "it doesnt always remove only replace."

See this article for how to remove objects more reliably:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace/

Most complaints about Remove are addressed in the article. But if it doesn't help, please attach a full-resolution JPEG exported from the unmodified original photo, so we and Adobe can see the issue in detail. With nearly everyone who has posted a problem photo, we've been able to show how to quickly remove the desired objects.

[YannigVdW]

Good AI generation, but the contrast with the og photo is visible much too clearly. (I removed a crane here)

Zeroing everyhting to Adobe defaults doesn't really improve this issue.

[John R Ellis]

@YannigVdW: "but the contrast with the og photo is visible much too clearly. "

There have been a number of other such examples posted here where the replacement doesn't quite match the surrounding background. You can often avoid or significantly reduce this by making a raggedy selection around the object or a much larger selection, e.g.

To help Adobe improve, please attach a full-resolution JPEG exported from the unmodified original photo.

[Morris Creek Studios]

This is an awesome tool, works great too. I’ve used it on so many pics where there were unwanted elements in the background. This tool removed with ease on most everyone. I can only imagine where Adobe takes this tool with updates and improvements. Thanks Adobe for the opportunity of testing this tool out.

[patrickm10821648]

It turned a scent diffuser in in a small room into a coconut.  My favorite WTF transformation so far.

[John R Ellis]

@patrickm10821648: "It turned a scent diffuser in in a small room into a coconut."

See this article for how to remove objects more reliably:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace/

Most complaints about Remove are addressed in the article. But if it doesn't help, please attach a full-resolution JPEG exported from the unmodified original photo, so we and Adobe can see the issue in detail. With nearly everyone who has posted a problem photo, we've been able to show how to quickly remove the desired objects.

[Yannick.H]

I'm in awe!

This feature is really good to remove small items in the picture... 

Like a broom, a extinguisher or a bucket... 

Good job!!

[RitchieG]

Finding generative ai very hit and miss. Sometimes works briliantly other times just replaces the selected item with a similar image or something even worse!

[John R Ellis]

See this article for how to remove objects more reliably:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace/

Most complaints about Remove are addressed in the article. But if it doesn't help, please attach a full-resolution JPEG exported from the unmodified original photo, so we and Adobe can see the issue in detail. With nearly everyone who has posted a problem photo, we've been able to show how to quickly remove the desired objects.

[Nathan S Hamilton]

As of this date, I got the update and remove works a lot better!  It looks similar to the remove tool in PS Beta

[MattClara]

I selected the Remove Tool, enabled the AI function and Object Aware and carefuly created a mask slightly larger than a car that I wanted to remove from in front of a business.  I knew it was a long shot.  The AI removed it and put in a new, less realistic car in its place.  I checked the variations, they all featured a new car.  So I refreshed and had it try again and it did the same thing, though I did enjoy the car with two front ends both coming and going.  I realize that this is "generative" as in, it's going to generate something, but someone may want to remind the AI that it's part of the "remove tool" and so we're looking for an absence of something here, not an addition.  It would have been super cool if it removed the car and I look forward to Adobe's continued improvements.

[John R Ellis]

"The AI removed it and put in a new, less realistic car in its place."

Make sure you've selected any shadows created by the car and all disconnected parts of it. See this article for more details on how to remove objects more reliably:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace/

Most complaints about Remove are addressed in the article. But if it doesn't help, please attach a full-resolution JPEG exported from the unmodified original photo, so we and Adobe can see the issue in detail. With nearly everyone who has posted a problem photo, we've been able to show how to quickly remove the desired objects.

[jmhildreth]

It would be better if Lightroom had the dialog box like Photoshop so you could give some direction to the AI.  

[iank85881269]

The new AI replace function is frequently brilliant, particularly when removing odd people from a picture.  I have had great success both when a rope was stretched infront and when a slated bench was behind.  But with a completely plain background, eg sky, it is useless, insists on finding something to replicate in the space.  Wouldn't matter, except that the clone tool doesn't source it's data from an alt-click selection, but also seems to find something in the picture to put in the space.  Why?!!!!  But still a valuable new tool, well done to all who developed it.

[John R Ellis]

@iank85881269: "But with a completely plain background, eg sky, it is useless, insists on finding something to replicate in the space."

Is the object close or touching the edge of the photo?  If so, there could be cropped-out pixels that are causing this behavior, and you'll have to undo any Crop, Lens Corrections, and Transform.  See this article for how to remove objects more reliably:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace/

Most complaints about Remove are addressed in the article. But if it doesn't help, please attach a full-resolution JPEG exported from the unmodified original photo, so we and Adobe can see the issue in detail. With nearly everyone who has posted a problem photo, we've been able to show how to quickly remove the desired objects.

[carolek42204412]

I cannot believe how amazing the new Heal Tool AI is. It's a complete game-changer when it comes to sorting large areas and medium areas. The AI is completely believable and if not quite what you are looking for, it is well worth trying again. Thank you so much!!! 

[juan manuel5C39]

Personalmente la herramienta la mejoraría para que quitara objetos según el fodo como primera opción. Luego en las variaciones que dé alguna obcion más de la eliminación según el fondo y al actualizar pues que ya dé reemplazos de lo que hayas seleccionado. Pero en primer lugar creo que la utilizamos más para quitar objetos que para reemplazarlos. 

[Ian Lyons]

@juan manuel5C39 

I've ccopied below from the top post this in thread. Please read and follow the included link as it will explain how to ensure that you can remove objects rather then replace

Here are some tips if you are having issues with the feature replacing your object instead of removing it. 

• Enlarge your selection - if your brush stroke is too tight, you will have unexpected results.
• Remember that removing an object means painting over it, its shadow, its reflection, and any non-contiguous pieces. If you leave behind a shadow, a reflection, or a disconnected piece (e.g., a hand on a shoulder), the AI will attempt to create something to cast the shadow, reflect, or complete the unbrushed discontinuous item. You can avoid these issue by following the guidance provided in this linked tutorial. https://www.lightroomqueen.com/generative-remove-replace

[john_2203]

The Generative remove is working wonderful to remove dust spots. Super happy!!

[Ian Lyons]

@john_2203 

Ideally, you should not be using Generative Remove for dust spots.  Generative Remove is powered by Firefly AI. It's also credit based, which although it comes at no financial cost at present, this will likely change in the future. The original heal tool is still present and doesn't use AI. As such, it's better suited to removing dust spots and comes at no cost.

Details of AI credits can be seen at https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/firefly/using/generative-credits-faq.html

[debbiec39885928]

I am really liking this feature. I don't have to go to Photoshop to remove now.  I used it on several images and it did a good job of competely removing what I didn't want and replacing it with appropriate content.  I only had an issue with a few images out of all the ones I tried it on,