generative expand: "To use this feature, first drag the canvas to expand."

[AFCathaCA]

Hello. As I try to use the new Generative Expand function, I get the following message (attached): "To use this feature, first drag the canvas to expand." I'm calling this a "bug" because 1.- it makes no sense at all "first drag the canvas to expand" what does that even mean? – and 2.- because there is no further explanation, tutorial, click here to see more", etc. I tried dragging the canvas (the way I understand that) but the nonesense message keeps popping up (please consider getting some English Major to create these pop-up messages. Software Engineers... well, only they can understand themselves.) Ideas? Guidance? Thank you in advance. A.C.

[Anthony33371735tjjq]

Same issue here.  seems to be no way to use this feature anymore?

[D Fosse]

Well, how much do you think it should expand the canvas? A little? A tiny bit? Or a lot? And in what direction? Right, left, up, down?

You drag the canvas to define the area to expand.

[Anthony33371735tjjq]

Yes, and when the canvas is expanded and the area is selected, the error still occurs when invoking the feature. 

It's not about size or direction, but there's no way based on many of the tutorials. 

However, if you use the select tool and then use generative fill, it works like the expansion would be expected to.  It's just not using the crop tool.

[Tactive Prepress 2]

I've been having this issue as well. I updated my PS today to v25.2 in the hopes it would fix it and can confirm that it does not work as described in their help page here: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/generative-expand.html
The popup shared by the OP occurs once selecting Generative Expand in step 4 and will not do anything further. All prior steps were followed exactly as detailed.

[CU Jones4]

I think it's a misunderstanding of the tool. If I open a file, click Crop and expand beyond the canvas, the Generative Fill tool will automatically resize the canvas and fill it.

If I goto Image > Resize Canvas, change the canvas size there, then click Crop and attempt to use Generative Expand, I receive the error.

[nickross]

This is THE answer for those tearing their hair out. How does Ai not recognise the big empty space(s) but can do such a great job of filling it?!

[burnblue00]

Yep, same here

[Thiago Marque274553332m0y]

Alô adobe estamos tendo esse erro sem respostas!!!

[Yildiray30097253yxf3]

This is unacceptable.  This feature does not work, and the error message is nonsense.  I expect better from Adobe.

Any idea of a fix?  I just updated minutes ago...

[kristp13855785]

This still seems to work in Photoshop Beta, but not the official release for me

[CU Jones4]

Curious if my experience tracks with anyone elses. Can you try what I posted in my reply?

[Electric_friendship6C14]

I receive the error when using the crop tool. I've never tried the resize option under resize canvas option.  Still not able to to do generative fill OR the old mainstay content aware.  I just get the warning.

[Will34444786zih8]

Same for me! Anyone in PS officially can answer? 

[Harmony99]

@CU Jones4 Thank you! This is exactly what I was doing it wrong. Your suggestion works.

[Sean31522777mfnb]

Just figured this out. Was having the same issue with that error message. However, when I stopped working in artboards and just opened the image I wanted to extend as it's own file in Photoshop, it worked! 

[JMPhotos]

Click on the CROP TOOL first.  Then grab the side handles and expand your canvas. Now your ready to click the generative fill button.

[3DJeff]

This does not work. I am doing exactly what they show in their demonstration video.  I get the same error as the OP.

[nickross]

You need to resize the canvas AFTER clicking on the Generative Fill button. For some reason, it can't recognise the big empty spaces if you resize the canvas first.

[nickross]

*Generative Expand

[Georgia36319538w0c7]

Same... this does not work. Following the steps including selecting the crop tool first, you can expand the canvas, click generative expand and then you get the blue box that says "To use this feature, first drag the canvas to expand". And you can go no further. Restarting, redoing, nothing fixes it. I have a brand new MacBook and updated PS. What gives??? 

[zoelarkinphoto]

Yup. We're now well into April and still, no fix for this bug. Furthermore, Generative Expand now no longer works in Photoshop Beta, NOR the the most recently updated Photoshop (mine is always up to date). How are we supposed to use this new 'feature' when it doesn't function any longer and hasn't for weeks/months?! UNACCEPTABLE.

[vaniseb94703993]

So this is frustrating! But I think I figured out a work around. I THINK it needs to know how many PPI to use. So when I click on 10x8 PPI it works as at should with cropping.

[Guest]

That was the problem! ...such a simple thing..but totally missed filling in the PPI. thank you @vaniseb94703993 !

[cameronl22086559]

I have been using this feqature for months and now suddenly I am getting this message. I terminated PS and restarted it, updated it to the latest, even tried using the beta versio, no luck. Is this feature disabled suddenly? What happened? How come there are no responses from PS on this? Odd.