How to Use Reference Images with Generative Fill in Photoshop

How to Use Reference Images with Generative Fill in Photoshop

Reference images revolutionize how Generative Fill works, letting you guide AI with actual photos instead of text prompts. This feature enables precise clothing swaps, object replacements, and realistic additions by showing the AI exactly what you want rather than describing it.

The technique works with everything from custom t-shirts and branded merchandise to complex items like leather jackets, automatically handling wrapping, shadows, and perspective to create convincing results.

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Video by photoshopCAFE. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips

These essential techniques will help you get the best results when using reference images with Generative Fill:

  • Select the Firefly Fill and Expand model to access reference image functionality
  • Make selections larger than the target area to give AI room to generate sleeves, collars, and other extensions
  • Use "Swap" intent for replacing clothing items and "Place" intent for adding new objects to scenes
  • Choose "Object" mode to hide backgrounds from reference images when working with plain backgrounds
  • Combine traditional techniques with AI results, like copying coffee from existing cups when generation falls short

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