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Reference object/image in generative fill for new beta

Forum|Forum|9 months ago
April 24, 2025
45 replies
14524 views

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.

Desktop-Windows

Correct answer MeredithStotzner

Hello public beta users!
Thank you for kicking the tires on Reference Image/Reference Object in Generative Fill
With the April 24th Beta update, we began testing out a new technology to address user requests to have Reference Image in Generative Fill do a better job of matching the original reference file.

The changes you'll notice;

1. New technology
- shift away from a general some-color/some-structure reference to a more accurate object reference.

2. New name (Reference Object)
- We've indicated the change by swapping out Reference Image dialog title for Reference Object.

3. Text prompting is disabled
- the color tone, lighting, and direction of the result is determined by the reference file, the selection on the image, and the background image content.

4. Background Removed in the reference file
- Photoshp isolates the subject in the reference image via removing the background to help do a better job of matching the original reference image.

Please provide feedback here. What is the workflow/scenario in which you are using Reference Object? How is the new technology better or worse for you?

YOU CAN RATE EACH VARIATION - hover over the variation in the Properties panel and click on the ••• to access the "Good" "Bad" or "Report" rating.

This is a feature in development - still raw cookie dough - so we'd like to hear how you want us to alter this recipie before we bake it. 🙂 If you liked the "old" Reference Image better than Reference Object, please tell us why!

Thank you!
Meredith & the Photoshop team

@Deven15D5 @Binse4u @TATIANA38115494l3ay
lilCystar You should be able to install a previous beta for a couple more weeks (26.6 or earlier via Creative Cloud). But really curious about your workflow that requires the Reference Image.
Thank you for the example workflow Kunlacha35666127ukhe

Reach out directly if you prefer. Meredith at adobe dot com.

Show previous replies

karin@otherwise

Participating Frequently

Same problem here, the latest beta now has the urge to stay very close to the reference image, but instead I want other options similar to it. And it then looks somewhat like the reference image, but it's totally worthless to use.

The version where I could upload an image and write a promt with it worked much better.

Unfortunately, I can no longer find the version where that was possible. So hopefully there will be an update soon to reverse this, because now it doesn't do at all what it is supposed to do.

D

devern_0587

Participating Frequently

I've not commented on my thread here in a long time. I do want to ask. Is there anyone at Adobe that is willing to answer one question. You have all manner of other functions labeled "legacy" that users can still acess. Why is it you had to shut down ref photo and replace it with the ref object, and cannot simply give users the option of either or? I can't fathom why you have not done that. Nor can I fathom why you installed the new bizzare functionality in the first place? There must be a reason I guess, but man, can you simply put the legacy ref photo button back in? Why on Earth is that a big deal to do that? Will anyone there answer me/us about this please?

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gopi30559400baxo

Participating Frequently

i felt its an waste to talk to them or begging them while we users pay them monthly subscription {illegal activity removed} {cursing removed} bro we all miss the beautiful feature , i updated this only hoping that they may have improved ugly gernerative fill turns out they removed this and put object which is absolute worse

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gopi30559400baxo

Participating Frequently

moderator removed illegal activity

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gopi30559400baxo

Participating Frequently

Its been aug now still no response from them

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rk_0810

Participant

Hey friends, my Generative Fill Reference Objects function is not working. When I use this feature, Photoshop removes all background from my reference image. So, tell me how to use it. See my attached file..I want this background in my image, but it's not working

kglad

Community Expert

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from cc desktop">

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joan_7706

Participant

Bonjour, avant je utilisée le remplisage generatif avec une description (prumt) et une image de reference ,le resultat c'etait assez bien, les dernières versions installes fireflyer 3 , elle me laisse pas ....soit je choisi une image de reference ou je ecris une description....je ne sais pas si c'est un reglage ou les nouvelles misse a jour, merci pour m'aider si quelqun peut.

Je aussi un deuxime question, quand je sellectionne une ima.ge de reference , il sellectionne pas la totalite de l'image, il sellectionne que des elements isoles, je ne sais pas comment faire pour importer la totalité de l'image.

Merci pour m'aider,car je suis un peu bloquée....

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joan_7706

Participant

Je oublie de dire que ce la version Photoshop Beta, merci

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Jacob382031954bgd

Participant

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.

ManjotSingh

Participating Frequently

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.

Z

Zita36227679ws7s

Participating Frequently

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

Participating Frequently

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.

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Gary Brant

Participant

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...

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devern_0587

Participating Frequently

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.

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Gary Brant

Participant

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.