Reference object/image in generative fill for new beta

[Deven15D5]

I just downloaded the newest beta version of PS. The reference image is not behaving anything like it used to. I used to make a selection, put in a prompt to influence the fill, and then pick my reference image and it just worked.

But now, it kicks out my prompt and when my reference photo is loaded, it's showing background cut out in the reference photo and it no longer just blends it into my scene. It's strange and not working normally at all.

[ImageworX]

Good day Irina, 
thank you for your follow up. I reversed to an older version today so I need to describe the issue.
Most of the time I change (replace) floors, natural or manmade, remove backgrounds and replace them with natural elements,  add elements to a landscape or setting. Inthe old version I could type a syntax and on top of that I use reference images: roads, paths, natural elements etc. With these images I define structure, color and style. The old version would perfectly match the reference image, use the syntax as rough guide ( i guess i could skipp the syntax) and blend it in the original image.  The latest version is based on the assumption that a object will be replaced or added and the result is unpredictable, doesnt match the reference, all variations make no sense and the part where it removes the background before applying is unneccessary and supports my statement that "object replacement" ( of isolated elements) seems to be the function only. 
I will try to update beta as soon as I have the time becasue I ma using it now for a live project. Will sent and example after this. 

Regards

Marcel.  ImageworX

[IrinaM1]

thank you ImageworX!
replacing flooring and background wouldn't work with this version of Reference Image because it's automatically removes background from Reference. But adding elements should work! If you can try it and it doesn't work for you, please let us know! 

thanks!

[ImageworX]

It would be a good idea to give two options. Next to that, anyone using this featrue could remove the background himself tbh. Photoshop is not really a toysoftware and most users know how to use it....I hope. 

[InsideLiving]

Na utilização do Photoshop Beta, era recorrente utilizar o método "Use Reference Image" no Generative Fill, mas o Photoshop ia buscar uma imagem completa para se basear como referência! Incluia os objetos e todos os elementos em redor como por exemplo uma casa, mas também o céu e o relvado respetivo! 

Neste momento, se quisere retirar partido desta ferramenta e adicionar uma imagem do meu desktop, automaticamente o Photoshop seleciona apenas os objetos e elimina tudo o resto, como a relva e o céu, então não é possível recriar nenhum relvado à semelhança do que idealizo. Além disso, mal a fotografia está carregada, não é possível escrever nenhum prompt com orientação mais precisa. A barra de escrita deixa de estar disponível para redigir.

A funcionalidade "Use Reference Image" deixou de funcionar e deixou de considerar o fundo completo das imagens, estando atualmente a prejudicar o uso profissional. 

[kel_2914]

I am so glad to see people having the same issues with this latest update. 
PLEASE CORRECT IT! The feedback is clear, we want reference IMAGE not reference OBJECT.
At the very least, an option between the two

[소302389664u62]

안녕하세요.
저는 오랫동안 Photoshop을 사용해 온 사용자로서, Photoshop AI 기능이 제 창작 작업에 매우 도움이 된다는 것을 느꼈습니다.

얼마 전까지 저는 주로 "이미지 참조(객체 참조)" 기능을 사용하여 참조 이미지의 전반적인 분위기와 배경 분위기를 기반으로 새로운 콘텐츠를 생성했습니다 .

하지만 최근 업데이트를 한 후, AI가 이제 객체 자체에만 집중하고 배경은 무시하거나 심지어 투명하게 처리한다는 것을 알게 되었습니다 .

이러한 변화로 인해 생성 도구 사용에 있어 유연성이 크게 제한되었습니다. 특히, 디자인 스타일 개발 이나 무드보드 기반 이미지 생성과 같은 작업에 필수적인 객체와 배경이 조화를 이루는
이미지를 생성하는 것이 거의 불가능해졌습니다 .

AI의 정확도와 테스트가 지속적으로 개선되고 있다는 점은 충분히 이해하지만,
이전 방법에서 많은 도움을 받았던 사람으로서 배경을 포함하는 선택 가능한 옵션이 부족하다는 점이 큰 한계가 되었습니다.

저와 비슷한 사용자가 있을 거라고 생각합니다. 저는 포토샵의 힘과 지속적인 개선에 깊이 감사하지만,
이 변경 사항으로 인해 평소의 작업 흐름이 방해를 받았기 때문에 겸손한 제안의 의미로 이 메시지를 남기고 싶었습니다.

귀하의 관심과 훌륭한 도구를 제공해 주셔서 감사드립니다.

[Azeddine_El Morabit6463]

I have the same problem. Everything was working perfectly before the update. We are waiting for this feature to return because things are not working well this way. I am glad that many people are complaining about the same problem. This may help bring back a feature that is currently essential for our work.

[jenniferm61288940]

It is June 10, 2025 now, I just updated my PS Beta and still this same issue exists. Instead of the image being a reference of what I am looking for, it is warping the original reference quite often and adding it to the photo. Let's say I have a photo of a womans face and want her to have different eyes, my reference image is now being literal instead of interpretive and inserting a warped mess. I am still using an older verion of Beta due to this issue. 

[Zia34992164hsgf]

@meredith - PLEASE bring back the old reference image functionality. Like somebody said, it should be a reference image and not reference object. I have been using this functionality for 2 years now without any issues but this new functionality of the background being automatically removed is useless, it doesnt generate optimal results. I am a newborn photographer and i use reference images to change background of pics. THIS IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE. Users should be able to choose the "ENTIRE" reference image without photoshop cropping the background out from the reference image...

[Haawoo37203051z6un]

before the last updation of photoshop beta, there was a reference image feture in the contextual taskbar. but now it is shown an object replacement reference image and insert image options. old option was good for background replacement of an image. but not it is not there. could you please add that option also for background reference image replacement. thank you

[selahaddin374915660l03]

Merhaba, bu kısmı tekrar eski haline getirebilir miyiz? Referans fotoğrafları çok kötü yapıyor, yardımcı olabilir misiniz?

[nick_videos]

I totally I agree with the previous versions (26.6  and before) being more useful. I am uploading some examples to see. Left image is a real estate photo with a house with no planted gardens yet. The right one is using the reference image (previous versions) with some landscape shots as reference image  of the surrounding area. Now, I can't do this anymore. (There is no 26.6 available anymore in creative cloud).

[rivera_1680]

The 26.6 beta version has been removed from the list of available rollback versions.

How can I get this version back for myself?

Have you found a solution to this issue?

Please translate this into English:

The 26.6 beta version has been removed from the list of available rollback versions.

How can I get this version back for myself?

Have you found a solution to this issue?

[gopi30559400baxo]

you cant bro , that the beauty of photoshop

[Gary Brant]

Who needs a reference image, I don't.

My main process with Photoshop Beta 26.6 was simple, it was to expand a central photo

into a wider image.

The earlier release did Generative Fill like glass! 

PLEASE make 26.6 available for download.

Sleepless in NYC...

[devern_0587]

I'll tell you who, I use the reference photo feature, thousands of AI renders per month for a massive project. So, please don't come on my thread and speak for me about not needing reference photos when if you go back through this thread, obviously they are important for my work and many others. Photos are provided in this thread to show you the exact value of reference photos. We are trying to make a case to Adobe to bring this critical function back and posts like yours are not helpful.

[Gary Brant]

Community guidelines "Be kind and respectful..." Jeez, someone woke up oontge wrong side of the bed.

Listen, I've been using Photoshop since it's first release, and have been a professional photographer in San Francisco and NYC for decades, so I don't need your lectures.

Adobe can decide whatever AI features it wants to deploy, at will, and there's not much users can do about it.

My point is that they shouldn't make grand, sweeping changes without warning to how workflows are implemented. 

My needs are different than yours, and this is unavoidable. What they need to do, as I and MANY others have suggested, is to provide an equitable workaround, in this case allowing users to go back to an earlier release, or fix it in a new release where the "old" process is enabled. 

[devern_0587]

I've used PS since the early 90's also, not that it matters. My "lecture" isn't anything to do with Your photography skills. It's simply to do with speaking for everyone with the comment "who needs?" Had you not said that, I would have been fine. Clearly this thread is for those who need it and you defied that making this entire thread seem trivial per your needs, then you come on here and lecture me about being kind and respectful. Next time I'm in NY or San Francisco, I'll be sure not to look you up.

[ManjotSingh]

Subject: Sad to See - New Reference Image in Photoshop: Where's the Magic "Replace and Insert" Feature?

Dear Adobe Community,

I'm writing to express my significant disappointment and confusion regarding the new update to the "Reference Image" feature in Photoshop. I previously found immense value and "magic" in the way the older system handled reference images, particularly for seamlessly integrating subjects into new environments.

In the past, when using a reference background, Photoshop had an incredible ability to merge my subject or object accordingly. For instance, I could take a studio shot of a product on an ordinary chair, and by using a beautiful reference background, Adobe's system would intelligently adjust my product to appear as if it was on a new chair, perfectly integrated with the new background. This functionality was a true game-changer and allowed for incredibly creative and efficient workflows.

However, the current iteration of the "Reference Image" feature seems to operate very differently. Now, when we add a reference image, it appears to automatically remove the background from the reference image itself. I am struggling to understand the benefit of this, especially when we can achieve the same result manually and simply add any chosen background ourselves. This feels like a step backward in terms of intelligent automation and the "AI magic" I've come to expect from Adobe.

Has anyone else experienced this change? Am I missing a setting or a new workflow that achieves the previous seamless "replace and insert" functionality? I'm genuinely surprised to see what feels like an "AI failure" in an area where Photoshop previously excelled.

I'd appreciate any insights, workarounds, or clarification from the community or Adobe representatives on how to replicate the powerful integration capabilities of the previous reference image system.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

[Zita36227679ws7s]

ManjotSingh
Me too, fhis function was one of the primary tools I used in the Photoshop Beta, and its absence in recent releases has significantly disrupted my workflow.
I’ve invested not only financially but also creatively in developing a unique style that heavily depends on this capability. I've spent countless hours refining this process and have also purchased premium backgrounds that were intended to complement it. The sudden removal of this essential feature feels like a betrayal of that investment although I'm well aware that Beta is only a test version.
We are asking Adobe to kindly consider reinstating the ability to use reference images within Generative Fill, or to provide the option to roll back to a version prior to 26.7—beyond the current rollback limit—to allow us to continue working as we’ve done so far.
We value the innovation Adobe brings, but respectfully request that our tools evolve with us, not disappear from under us.

[ManjotSingh]

Hello  Zita

Thanks for chiming in! I completely agree with your frustration. The previous reference image function was a cornerstone of my workflow, and its absence is truly disruptive.

Like you, I've invested significantly in developing a style that relied on this "magic" to integrate subjects into new environments, especially for clients who can't afford expensive studio setups. The removal of such a valuable and effective feature, even from Beta, feels like a major setback.

I humbly join your request for Adobe to reconsider. Reinstating the ability to use reference images with intelligent integration, perhaps even with an increased credit cost for Generative Fill, would be immensely beneficial. It's crucial for our tools to evolve with us, not diminish essential capabilities.

Hopefully, Adobe hears our plea and provides a solution soon.

[IrinaM1]

thank you everyone who posted and sorry that changes in Reference Image disrupted your workflows. We do hear you, and we're working on solution. I can't provide much details but just wanted to let you know. 

-irina

Photoshop QE. 

[ManjotSingh]

That's fantastic news!

Thank you so much for the update. It's incredibly reassuring to hear directly from Adobe that you've heard our concerns and are actively working on a solution. We understand you can't share details right now, but just knowing that it's being addressed means a lot to users like me .

We truly appreciate you taking the time to let us know. We're looking forward to seeing what's next!

[Galina154A]

God news!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!

[Jacob382031954bgd]

Yes the new beta generative fill is much less useful that the old one. I wanted to generate a new background based on a reference image. Unfortunately it automatically processes my reference image so it doesnt have a background. That is really bad. Further I cant use any reference with a text prompt, thus I cant customize it. I am going to have to revert.