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.

[Deven15D5]

I'm returning to an earlier version because this one is messed up.

[IrinaM1]

>> Some images work while some don't.

Sorry to hear that you're seeing issues with this. Would it be possible for you to post a screenshot of the  Reference image that shows error so we can take a look? 

thank you!

Irina

Photoshop QE

[lilCystar]

Good Day,

I cannot use Generative fill since the last update (26.7.0). It opens and you cannot write in the prompt box at all. If you try to Generate using only a reference picture you get the message: Something went wrong. Please try again. If you try to Generate with no prompt and no picture, you get the same error message.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app and restarted everything.

I am using Windowss 11.

Please correct this quickly. I need the reference picture for generative fill that my regular Photoahop does not offer yet and I need to work daily.

Much Thanks,

Ms. Cynthia Macdonald

[TATIANA38115494l3ay]

It's really bad.

[Kunlacha35666127ukhe]

I tried Photoshop Beta 26.7 and found that it’s absolutely terrible.
Take a look at the first example from version 26.6 — same image, same reference.
In 26.6, the reference image didn’t have the background removed, which resulted in an output that matched the reference and looked much more realistic.

Now look at the second example from version 26.7 — again, same image, same reference.
In 26.7, the background of the reference was removed automatically, which I absolutely didn’t want, and I couldn’t find a way to disable it. The result didn’t match the reference and looked much worse than version 26.6. (If there’s a way to turn this off or make it work like before, please let me know.)

I know I can roll back to the previous version, but I just want to give this feedback: it’s a serious downgrade. It shouldn’t be like this. Please acknowledge the issue and fix it.

[Trevor.Dennis]

Can you check Image Processing Preferences?  Just in case it reverted in the update.

It seems to be working perfectly for me so far.

[Kunlacha35666127ukhe]

"I tried this method, but nothing changed."

[lilCystar]

Hi, it began working properly last night and still is today. ( FYI, I tried multiple reference images when it would not function.) Since it's fine now, I won't upload anything. I do find it still freezes occasionally in the middle of simple functions like reducing vibrance or cropping the image. Would you like screenshots when this happens next time? - Cynthia

[Binse4u]

i have the exact same issue. i created a workflow for a client already and now it doesnt work anymore.

please adobe, make us at least select between "object" or "reference full image" with NO automatic background removal.

[MeredithStotzner · Accepted solution]

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.

[leslier20312968]

A few reasons why I find the new update unusable for my work.

1. I typically want the general style of my reference - I don't want it copied exactly which is what the update is currently doing. I want different ideas I can select and refine to make sure I'm not too close to the original inspiration.

2. Having text enabled with a reference image gives me more flexibility to get the right interpretation I want - removing that just ends up limiting my result to the reference almost exactly - which feels like copyright infringement. 

3. adding in the reference exactly also ruins the ability of generative fill to adapt based on the content of my art which is what I loved about the original.

4. Having photoshop try and reference an object in my image is a nuisance. It eliminates elements automatically and I can't change it. It worked better when I could upload the whole image as a style reference. We should at least have the option to select part we want or use the whole image. 

5. because photoshop is trying so hard to be true to the reference the art generations aren't nearly as natural or accurate. 

long story short - unless you can refine I would definitely revert back to the original tool - this one took many steps backward and has added a ton of time to my workload 

[Deven15D5]

Wrong section

[Murat23853610x40v]

Even if I want it to take a whole image as a reference, it takes a part of the image as a reference. There should be an option where we can ask it to take the whole image as a reference, or let people choose the area they want to use as a reference.

[Deven15D5]

Hi Meredith. I uninstalled the new beta as all of my work centers around reference photos. If the beta has not been changed then I don't wish to install it again as there's no point. Whatever you did, it was not working anything like before, which I described in my initial post. Before, PSGF blended in the reference photo in a pleasing and workable way, most the time. The new beta reference photo, just made a strange and unusual mess. That's how it went for me. My work is entirely nature photos and blending in new rocks, foliage, etc., to my photography.

As an addendum. If you want to work with me direct on this issue, I am willing. Thank you.

[Binse4u]

hey Meredith!

Thanks for getting in touch.

I work for a creative fashion image agency. we used to do photoshoots all over the world for commercialize but emotional photography. now we implemented AI workflow since 2 years and offer hybrid photography. we either use existing location images or prompt our own and then shoot images on set (studio setup) in a fitting light scenery and merge the images together later in photoshop. another case is that we use existing photography, relight it (eg. sunlight from the front) and create backgrounds with AI and merge everything to one photo.

for both use cases we use midjourney because we can control the prompts by adding images. its for us a better control to work with the eye rather then just text and language. because we have so much imagery already we like to control our output with images. we started using firefly in photoshop for that case as well, but only since the "reference image" tool. because before that, by simply text prompting, the output wasnt very fashionable and it drew us always back to the midjourney MODEL which was trained better for our fashion imagery and aesthetics.

but since the "reference image" it was MUCH better to work with firefly as well, because we could do our "hands on the details" more in pixel steps like we are used from photoshop. which in midjourney is very rough. so we used that tool alot for backgrounds and foreground mergings. 

1) we create a location in midjourney (or have one photographed)

2) we shoot on set (or get a picture that was shot on set)

3) we blend everything together with REFERENCE IMAGE

Since its updated to "REFERENCE OBJECT" it doesnt work anymore.

but i am sure for other cases, when we change a scarf to a different fabric, we would need the "OBJECT" tool.

So my sugestion is: make it an option. let the user decide if its an object or a full image reference.

make it more detailed like in midjourney. maybe even "character reference", "object reference" and "scenery reference" or "general reference". so we can upload more pictures. that would be totally cool!

if you need my opinion on other things let me know.

its very exciting to work with the pulse on time and directly with you adobe guys,

this creative suite has guided me through my whole career so THANKS for that.

looking extremely forward to your "relight" tool as well, which will come in handy for us too.

Thanks

Sabine from Germany

[mattmyles]

The most recent update, which removes the ability to use prompts and reference images in tendem, is producing much worse results than previous versions.  The masking and blending is completely unusable and the generated imagery looks considerablby less realistic and weird.  For example, I used 2 Adobe Stock images, one of a salad with a piece of chicken on it, and another to use as reference of sliced steak to replace the chicken, he's what we get after the update:

Original

Reference:

Generative Fill Example 1:

Generative Fill Example 2:

Whats going on here?  Why does it seem like Generative Fill has gone 10 steps backwards?

[IrinaM1]

thank you mattmyles for files and info! I can reproduce it and we'll look why it's not blending it correctly

-irina

Photoshop QE

[Deven15D5]

Here's some examples of how it's messing up for me. Let me know if you have questions.

[IrinaM1]

Thank you, Deven15D5! 

-was your intention to include grass from Reference Image too - or add rocks to original background? Asking because currently Reference Object automatically removes background from reference. And we'll look at blending regardless. Thanks again for images and info!

[Deven15D5]

When I used ref image in 26.6, it would scramble  up the image in various ways and give me all manner of flavors and choices of rocks and grass per the examples here, that often blended in seamlessly. With the new version 26.7, I get the weird cut out objects and it places the cut out objects directly into my scene and NOT various choices of blends. It is completely different behavior. Anyway, yes, the grass and the rocks were to be added in. But again, the new way just throws that same long cut out rock in and there's little to no creative blending like there was. In my opinion, please put it back. Whatever you have done is breaking my work flow on a massive project I've spent a year on, that is if I want to move forward with new PS beta versions. Thanks!

[nick_videos]

I totally agree! I used to have reference image and not object in generative and did great job. (Example is adding landscapes similar to my reference to real estate - landscape photos that wasn't ready yet.)

Now the use of generative fill is only for minor stuff such as removing things and not as used to be.

[thomasjames202]

It sounds like there might be a bug or unexpected behavior with the new beta version of Photoshop. Have you tried resetting the preferences or reinstalling the beta? Sometimes that helps clear up weird glitches. If it persists, it might be helpful to report this directly to Adobe so they can address it in a future update.

[Deven15D5]

It's my understanding more users wanted ref photo to simply cut out and blend vs create new image varities and blend. My push is to give a choice back to us users who want the old functionality.

[Deven15D5]

I spent a great deal of time tonight making a comparison to show the developers how the new ref photo isn't working for my purposes. I imagine many others are having the same problem.

Below you will first see the reference photo I used for all the examples and then after that are the three comparisons showing pleasing images from 26.6 and unpleasing images from 26.8.

Please give those of us who used reference image the old way a toggle to keep using that method. The new method is useless for this type of work. Thank you!

Reference PhotoExample Comparison 1Example Comparison 2Example Comparison 3