Remaking in Photoshop with help from AI

[Gunnar Rannug]

I have the latest version of Photoshop. I would like to use AI in the program to change an existing building, for example to make it older. Is that possible? It seems as if AI is replacing rather than remaking it.

[Myra Ferguson]

You may have better luck selecting separate portions of the building in the image and using AI to generate characteristics that make it appear older. I would recommend targeting each selection with its own prompt such as a "jagged crack with masonry showing," "overgrown weeds," or "broken window."

[Gunnar Rannug]

Hi Myra,
maybe I've been expecting a little too much from this form of PS AI. If I try "broken windows", the AI ​​replaces the window with images of other broken windows. I would like AI ​​to use my information about my window and turn this into broken panes, for example. But maybe that's asking too much.

[Stephen Marsh]

Hi Myra,
maybe I've been expecting a little too much from this form of PS AI ...But maybe that's asking too much.

By @Gunnar Rannug

Yes, I believe so.

[Myra Ferguson]

@Trevor.Dennis's recommendation of a reference image is a good one. 

Using techniques other than AI is probably better.

You could also try combining AI generated content or stock images with the original image. For example, if you have a normal window that you'd like to appear broken, use a crack from either a generated image or stock image with a blend mode and a layer mask to transfer that crack to the window of the original image.

[Trevor.Dennis]

@Gunnar Rannug  That's the way I would do it.  It's more work, but it would keep the bones of the original building.

ALWAYS make introduced elements Smart Objects.  This keeps the Transform handles sin their original positions regardless of how many times you fine tune their shape and position.

[Trevor.Dennis]

Use a reference image.  I started with the upper modern image and used the prompt 'Make building look delapidated'

I found the image I used for a reference, and saved it to a local drive, and used the icon (red arrow) to select that image.

You can see the results in the properties panel.  They fit the original perspective perfectly, but might be more old than you are going for, so you need to chose a suitable reference.  It's pretty clever how it fits similar looking images to the original.

[Gunnar Rannug]

Thanks all for good advices, I'll try them!

[Myra Ferguson]

You're very welcome. 🙂

Feel free to reach back out if you have any additional questions.