Adobe's New AI Feature Allows On-the-Fly Stock Image Editing - No Photoshop Required

Adobe is rolling out an exciting new feature called "Customize" for its Adobe Stock service, powered by AI. This tool enables users to tweak and personalize stock images right on the Adobe Stock platform, saving time and effort compared to using a separate application like Photoshop. Essentially, it offers a quick and efficient way to adjust images, including generating AI variations, directly within Adobe Stock.

Adobe Stock, a subscription-based service, provides access to a vast library of assets such as photos, videos, illustrations, vector graphics, 3D assets, templates, and more. It caters to designers, marketers, business owners, and other creatives. Users can search, preview, and license assets directly from the Adobe Stock website or within Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. This seamless integration is particularly useful for those who prefer to work within Adobe's ecosystem. However, for those who don't use Adobe's other apps, the new Customize feature offers a convenient solution.

The Customize feature enhances creative control over Adobe Stock assets by leveraging Adobe Firefly's AI technology. It allows users to make quick edits and adjustments to images directly on Adobe Stock, such as expanding images and applying styles. These actions, however, require the use of generative credits.

Adobe had previously introduced its Firefly AI technology to Adobe Stock for business users, launching Generative Edits and Generate Variations in 2024. These tools enabled business users to create image variations and perform edits like removing or replacing backgrounds, adjusting aspect ratios, and applying new styles or compositions.

Now, Adobe has extended these capabilities to all users, allowing them to refine multiple images simultaneously, change aspect ratios to fit project formats, and harmonize the style of multiple images. Recognizing the need for iterative adjustments during image searches, Customize also provides a history of search results and AI refinements, allowing users to revisit and select previous versions.

This feature is a response to the demand from creative professionals for AI tools to streamline their time-consuming tasks. Adobe hints that Customize is just the beginning, with more generative AI features on the horizon for Adobe Stock.

Using Customize is straightforward once you're logged into your Adobe Stock account, though remember that Adobe's AI features require generative credits. Here's how you can use it:

1. Search for assets: Enter your query in the search bar to find images, photos, or illustrations.
2. Select an image: Choose the image you wish to edit.
3. Click on "Customize": Hit the "Customize" button to start making adjustments.
4. Refine your image: Use options like "Expand Image" or "Apply Style" to modify your image.
5. Review your changes: Check and track your edits, including all AI-powered refinements.
6. Download: Once satisfied with your edits, download and use your finalized asset.

The Customize feature is now available for all Adobe Stock users. If you're subscribed to an individual or business plan, or using credits, you can start using Adobe Stock's Customize feature today. Plans start at $30 per month for 10 assets or 1 video, and generative credits, necessary for using Customize, are included with paid subscriptions. You can find more details on the number of credits included with each plan on Adobe's website.