Powered by Adobes Firefly Image Model 3, AI tools continue to take center stage.
The 2024 version of Photoshop is an evolution of last years release.
The useful Contextual Task Bar returns, now with enhanced support for the transform, shape and gradient tools.
Nothing is dramatically different, and the app is all the better for it.
The net gain here is more realistic and consistent AI imagery from text-based prompts.
New generative tools help in this regard.
Its all very effectively executed.
Photoshop is also available as part of several Creative Cloud plans, including the All Apps bundle.
Granular prefs for your chosen tool can be found in the options bar along the top of the workspace.
The interface is largely unchanged from Photoshop CC 2023.
Returning in Photoshop CC 2024 is the Contextual Task Bar, which floats at the bottom of the workspace.
It can also be dragged around, pinned in place or disabled if you dont need its input.
These arent groundbreaking additions, but they are genuinely useful refinements that contribute to a slicker user experience.
Photoshops Generative Workspace is not dissimilar to the interface used by some of the bestAI image generators.
Generative Fill and Generative Expand are now driven by the latest version of Adobes Firefly Image Model.
We encountered far fewer uncanny effects, particularly when text prompts included living creatures.
These issues have been significantly improved in the 2024 version.
It also struggles with reflections.
Say you prompt Photoshop to create a red truck it will give you three variations to begin with.
First is the enhanced Selection Brush Tool, which is designed to simplify the selection process for trackpad users.
Its really a combination of masking and lasso tools, executed in a more user-friendly way.
Choose the Selection Brush then simply paint over an area as you would when masking.
Both visually and practically, its an effective change thats genuinely useful.
you’ve got the option to then paint over part of your image or select Apply to object.
Again, this isnt a groundbreaking feature.
The good thing about Photoshop is that the choice is yours.
This feature returns in Photoshop CC 2024, with added functionality.
opt for Remove Tool from the sidebar, then select Find distractions from the toolbar at the top.
Here you’re free to select Wires and cables or People.
Choose the former and Photoshop will make a run at remove all telephone and power lines from a scene.
When it works, its an impressive feature that genuinely saves time.
We found it incredibly effective for removing wires and cables, even where these run across different backgrounds.
People selection is also powerful.
Nevertheless, its a useful and convincing enhancement to Photoshop’s object removal arsenal.
Firefly improvements are also evident when using the Generate Background Tool.
Background removal was another big introduction in Photoshop CC 2023.
Should you buy Adobe Photoshop CC 2024?
Selection
New brush tools make it visually and practically easier to make selections and apply adjustments when manipulating images.
Whether youre working with graphics or photographs, Photoshop is the ultimate all-in-one app.
If you prefer to pay a one-off fee youll need to look elsewhere.
I spent a lot of time exploring the capabilities of Firefly Image Model 3.
First reviewed: December 2024
