Adobe Firefly is Adobe’s generative AI model, and the best part is you don’t need to leave Photoshop to use it. Firefly is built directly into Photoshop’s Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and Text to Image tools, so you can add objects, remove backgrounds, extend a canvas, or create entirely new images just by typing what you want. This guide walks you through using Firefly inside Photoshop, step by step.
Before Firefly, adding or removing something from a photo meant manually cloning pixels, hunting for stock textures, or hiring someone on Fiverr. Firefly collapses that into a text box: describe what you want, and Photoshop generates it directly on your canvas, already matched to the lighting, perspective, and style of the rest of the image. It’s not a separate app — it’s woven into three specific tools inside Photoshop, and knowing which one to reach for is half the battle.
Firefly’s Three Tools, Compared
Firefly shows up in Photoshop in three different forms depending on what you’re trying to do. Here’s how they differ:
| Tool | Best For | Needs a Selection? | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generative Fill | Adding, removing, or replacing objects inside a photo | Yes | Removing a stray object, adding a prop, changing a background |
| Generative Expand | Extending an image beyond its original edges | No (uses canvas edge) | Turning a portrait into a landscape banner, uncropping a photo |
| Text to Image | Creating a brand-new image from nothing | No | Generating concept art, mockups, or blog featured images |
The Firefly Workflow at a Glance
What You’ll Need
- Photoshop (desktop app, version 24.6 or later recommended)
- An active Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (or the free trial)
- A stable internet connection, since Firefly generations happen in the cloud
Step 1: Open Your Image in Photoshop
Step 1Launch Photoshop and open the image you want to edit, or create a new blank canvas if you’re generating an image from scratch. Firefly tools appear automatically in the Contextual Task Bar at the bottom of your screen once you make a selection.
Step 2: Make a Selection
Step 2Use the Lasso, Marquee, or Object Selection tool to select the area you want to change. For example, select an empty patch of grass if you want to add a bench, or select the sky if you want to change the weather. If you’re generating a brand-new image, skip this step and use the Text to Image workspace instead.
Step 3: Open Generative Fill
Step 3With your selection active, click “Generative Fill” in the Contextual Task Bar. A text box will appear where you can type a description of what you want to appear in the selected area, such as “a wooden park bench in autumn light.”
Step 4: Review and Refine
Step 4Firefly generates three variations, shown in the Properties panel. Click through each one and pick your favorite, or click “Generate” again for a fresh batch. If none of them work, try rewording your prompt to be more specific about color, style, lighting, or camera angle.
Step 5: Use Generative Expand for Extending Canvas
Step 5To extend an image beyond its original borders, select the Crop tool, drag the canvas edge outward, and Photoshop will show a Generative Expand option in the task bar. Click it, add an optional prompt, and Firefly will fill the new space to match the existing image seamlessly.
Step 6: Export Your Final Image
Step 6Once you’re happy with the result, flatten your layers if needed and export normally through File > Export > Export As. Firefly generations are added as a new layer with a generative fill mask, so you can always go back and adjust them later.
Example Prompts to Try
- “a golden retriever sitting on the grass, soft afternoon light”
- “a modern glass coffee table, studio lighting”
- “add dramatic storm clouds to the sky”
- “a cozy reading nook with a bookshelf and warm lamp”
How Generative Credits Work
Every Generative Fill, Generative Expand, or Text to Image generation uses one generative credit, and each “batch” of 3 variations counts as a single generation. Credits reset monthly and roll over based on your plan.
| Plan | Monthly Generative Credits | What Happens After You Run Out |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 25 credits | Generations pause until the trial credits refresh or you upgrade |
| Photography Plan | 500 credits | Photoshop switches to a slower generation queue instead of stopping |
| All Apps Plan | 1,000 credits | Same slower queue; you can also purchase credit top-ups |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Generative Fill button is missing: Update Photoshop to 24.6 or later through the Creative Cloud desktop app — older versions don’t include Firefly.
Generated result doesn’t match the prompt: Be more literal. Instead of “make it nicer,” describe the specific object, color, material, and lighting you want.
Edges look blended or blurry: Make your selection slightly larger than the object and feather it by 1–2 pixels before generating, so Firefly has room to blend naturally.
Generation is stuck or very slow: This usually means you’ve hit your monthly credit limit and Photoshop has switched to the slower generation queue rather than the fast one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe Firefly free? Firefly comes with a limited number of monthly generative credits included in most Creative Cloud plans, including the free trial. Once you use up your credits, generations slow down but don’t stop completely.
Can I use Firefly images commercially? Yes, Adobe designed Firefly to be trained on licensed and public domain content, so outputs are generally considered safe for commercial use, though it’s worth checking Adobe’s current terms for your specific use case.
Does Firefly work in older Photoshop versions? No, Generative Fill and Generative Expand require Photoshop 24.6 or later. Update through the Creative Cloud desktop app if you don’t see these tools.