Generative Fill Image Reference

[seans94943058]

How does one do this in Photoshop 2025? In the preceding beta, you selected an area and then could upload a Reference Image before inputting your Prompt. The option to upload a Reference Image seems to have been removed in PS2025.

[Shivani Somayajula]

Hey seans94943058, We're sorry for the trouble.

What version of Photoshop and macOS are you using? Please open an image, make a selection, and then place your insertion point in the “Generative Fill” field of the context bar. If the reference image button does not appear, please share a screenshot of your screen.

To use Generative Fill with a Reference Image in Photoshop, follow these steps:

1. Open Photoshop and load your image.
2. Make a Selection: Use any selection tool (like the Lasso tool) to select the area where you want to apply Generative Fill.
3. Access Generative Fill: In the Contextual Task Bar that appears, select Generative Fill.
4. Upload a Reference Image: Click the Reference Image icon to upload an image that will guide the content of the variations. This helps ensure that the generated results align with your desired style.
5. Enter a Prompt: You can leave the prompt field empty or enter a descriptive text prompt to guide the generation.
6. Generate: Click Generate to create variations based on your selection and the reference image.
7. Choose Variations: In the Properties panel, you can view and select from the generated variations.
8. Refine Further: If needed, you can adjust the prompt or upload a different reference image to refine the results further.
9. Save Your Work: Once satisfied, save your image or add it to your favorites for future reference.

Let us know how it goes, 

Thanks, 

Shivani 

[seans94943058]

Hi,
Photoshop 26.0.0
MacOS 15.1

There is no option to Upload a Reference Image - see attached

 

[melissapiccone]

You need to open the whole generate panel - at the bottom of the toolbar... I know - it's not very obvious at all. Took me a minute to figure it out too. 

 

[seans94943058]

That is for generating an Image not for generatively filling a selection

[seans94943058]

I just downloaded the 26.2 Beta and the Image Reference button for Generative Fills is there. Guess I will just have to Beta for now. I dont know why this is not in v26 (Photoshop 2025).

 

[melissapiccone]

You are correct - it's not in 26.0. Must still be in Beta and that is why it's not there. It's a little annoying - I have been waiting to make my video tutorials until 2025 was released so I could include this. 

[seans94943058]

Yeah its frustrating that they had it in the Beta preceding v26 but then never actually included it when they released v26.

It's like saying 'Hey here's a concept car and we're gonna add this newfangled Steering Wheel thingy' and then they release the car without one.