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

[responsible_mindset1549]

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.

[joshuat34947271]

Change to ratio and use the presets

I had mine set to WxH with the dimensions for A4 and it wouldn't work. Changed to Ps standard ratio and it worked. 

[cameronl22086559]

So, I have accidentally discovered how to make it work again! Just to reitirate the background, until the release a couple of weeks ago I had to expand the canvas using the crop tool, hit return and PS would generate the new content. Then it suddenly stopped working. I would expand, hit return, and get blank canvas added. Click on the Generatve Expand and get the message above. 
Yesterday the message made sense! They mean to say "expand the canvas, and then click on generate instead of hitting CR!". I did that and we were back in business!

I think the new method makes more sense since I need to expand the canvas without Generate AI sometimes and the auto generate on CR was a waste (I would hit cancel). Now I can choose to use the generate feature or do an old-fashioned canvas expansion as needed.

In conclusion, the feature works beautiifully but the error message above could be a little more descriptive as in "To use this feature, first drag the canvas to expand, and then click on Generatve Expand."

[Solid.State]

Thank You! That worked also for me too: open file, crop outside image, and INSTEAD of hitting "CR" or selecting "V" , click Generative Expand. I do finf the error message confusing though.

[Mike38731091gvfy]

I have run into the same problem and it seem to be quite random. But I think I have figured out what causes it. When I enter a custom height and width into the tool preset bar, I get the error message. If I choose one of Adobe's presets from the drop down, it works fine. But when i entere my own width and height, i get the error. Seems like a bug to me. 

[Jane Davidson-Snider]

I get this problem if I try to resize a locked bottom layer. Unlock it and add a new transparent layer beneath it.

[Electric_friendship6C14]

This is the best hack I've seen yet, I'll report back!

[mrabbit1993 · Accepted solution]

I was able to fix this for Photoshop 24.

When you have your crop tool selected, click the gear icon on the top tool bar. Deselect use classic mode, then the lines apear over your canvass that you can drag and it works. If you have to type in a prompt "Expand Background" works, so long as you didn't change the background layer name

[DoctereCAGCTG]

I have straightened my keystoning using camera raw filter and geometry. That has left some of the canvas unfilled. Generative expand refuses to fix this. I can at least get past the dreaded "first drag the canvas to expand" message if I expand the canvas more, but even then it expands one side, but leaves the other unfilled. It sure seems to be a bug.

[kirkdickinson]

I am seeing this error in Photoshop Beta 26.6.0 beta that I just updated.

Seems to work ok in the non-beta 26.5.0 release.