Photoshop AI Image Upscaling Guide

  • 0 Comments
Photoshop AI Image Upscaling Guide

Image upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution and dimensions of an image. The goal is to maintain its visual quality and clarity at the same time. You may need to upscale images for various reasons, such as enlarging a small image or enhancing an older, lower-quality one.

The arrival of AI systems has democratized the process. Moreover, these generative models have bolstered upscaling capabilities with extraordinary speed and efficiency. From intelligent upscaling to automated background removal, AI is handling dull and time-consuming tasks.

The integration of AI into the visual arts field has disrupted the way we make and edit content. Here we'll explore the strengths and limitations of Photoshop's AI-powered image upscaling tools. Though Photoshop is a powerful option, we'll also touch on whether there are better alternatives available. Additionally, we'll share some thoughts on how to get the most out of whichever tool you use to enlarge images effectively.

An image of a snowball with bokeh-effect blurred background

Photoshop generative AI: A Closer Look at its Features

Preserve Details

Preserve Details 2.0, an algorithm for upscaling in Photoshop, has been a reliable tool for quickly upsampling images. Yet, as technology evolves, this feature is getting outdated, and Adobe is replacing it with more advanced ones. It is still useful for quick upscaling tasks, especially when you need a softer, dreamier look. However, its limitations in retaining crisp details and sharpness are becoming plainer.

The demand for high-quality upscaling algorithms grows, especially in digital art and photography. That's why Adobe is gradually replacing the older ones in favor of more sophisticated and intelligent solutions.

Neural Filters

Neural Filters is a newer environment for Photoshop. It offers machine learning-powered filters that make complex image editing tasks easier with a few clicks. The filters generate new contextual pixels, which allow for non-destructive creative exploration. Additionally, the use of neural filters in Photoshop can greatly enhance the quality and impact of the final result.

  • Smart Portrait Filter makes adjustments creatively by generating elements like happiness, surprise, anger, age, gaze, hair thickness, head direction, and light direction.
  • Skin Smoothing Filter smooths blemishes, skin spots, and acne with one click.
  • Super Zoom Photoshop filter allows zooming while adding detail to compensate for resolution loss. It seems, though, that this AI model was not trained to enhance text details.
  • JPEG Artifacts Removal Filterremoves artifacts from JPEG compression. Just choose the level of noise reduction (high, medium, or low), and let Photoshop work its magic.
  • Colorize Filter adds color to black and white photographs with focal points and adjustments.
  • Style Transfer Filter applies selected artistic styles to images.
  • Makeup Transfer Filter applies a similar makeup style from one image to another
  • Photo Restoration Filterrestores and fixes old family photos or prints using AI. This product is still in its beta version.
  • Harmonization Filtermatches color and tone of one layer to another for seamless composites.
  • Landscape Mixer Filter blends and combines input and reference landscape images creatively.
  • Depth Blur Filter creates environmental depth, haze, and temperature adjustments.
  • Color Transfer Filter takes color palette from a reference image and applies it to another image.

Super Resolution

With Adobe Photoshop Super Resolution feature, you can enhance low-resolution photos. It increases resolution, resulting in an image with double the width and height, and four times the total pixel count of the original.

To apply Super Resolution in Lightroom, follow these steps:

  1. Import the photo you want to improve into Lightroom.
  2. Right-click (or Command/Control + click) on it and select "Enhance" from the menu.
  3. In the Enhance Preview dialog, check the "Super Resolution" box and click "Enhance", making sure to select "Raw Details."
  4. Continue editing the newly created high-resolution file.

AI Powered Denoise

Noise is an inherent part of photography, arising from the statistical nature of light itself as well as sensor noise. A certain amount of noise can look natural, but too much of it overwhelms an image. The Denoise feature in Lightroom and Camera Raw uses machine learning to reduce noise and rescue and enhance the details.

Adobe's Denoise works by training a deep neural network on millions of pairs of high and low-noise images. This allows the model to learn how to intelligently remove noise while demosaicing the raw sensor data.

To use the feature, simply follow these steps:

  1. In the Detail panel of Photoshop Camera Raw, click the "Denoise" button to open the Enhance dialog.
  2. Drag the "Amount" slider to your desired level of noise reduction.
  3. Click "Enhance" to apply Denoise to your image.

Adobe Firefly

In essence, Firefly is a generative AI platform, integrated into Adobe's creative tools. So while you can use the full Firefly platform online, Adobe has also merged some of its AI components into Photoshop and Illustrator. It helps designers, artists, and content creators through AI image generation and editing.

A motoracer with a motion blurred backgroung

As for Adobe creative applications, you will find it in:

  • Photoshop: Firefly's "Generative Fill" feature allows you to remove and replace parts of images.
  • Illustrator: The "Recolor Artwork" feature uses Firefly's generative AI to recolor vector artwork.
  • Adobe Express: You can generate AI images, templates, text effects and recolor assets using Firefly within this app.

Is Photoshop AI free?

While Adobe Firefly offers powerful generative AI, there's a catch - it depends on your existing Adobe subscription level. The extent to which you can leverage Firefly's AI generation is metered based on the credits you purchase. So it's like an additional usage-based charge on top of your regular Adobe fees.

Blurred snowy background example

Best Adobe Photoshop AI Image Upscaling Alternative

While Photoshop offers robust upscaling tools, we give you similar functionality at a much more affordable price. Admittedly, Adobe's team has done a great job integrating AI capabilities into their flagship product over the years. But if you're looking for a dedicated upscaling tool, other purpose-built alternatives may be worth trying.

Unlike Adobe's usage-based charges, our tool has no hidden costs - you get full access to cutting-edge AI models for a flat fee. Additionally, it offers many advanced settings and customization options that Photoshop currently lacks.

Although Photoshop has one of the best user interfaces in the industry, our tool stays ahead of the curve. By utilizing the bleeding-edge models in AI, we can increase your image's resolution by up to 4 times.

Try it risk-free now to see how it fulfills your requirements without compromising on quality or breaking the bank.


Hannah Wilson
Hannah Wilson
Creative AI Imagery Expert

Hannah Wilson is your young, energetic and plugged-in guide through the business and creative uses of AI imagery tools. Her interests include AI image generators, social networking, and using AI for design and content creation. As a social media devotee, Hannah highlights AI's vast potential to empower your self-expression through visuals. Discover how to unlock AI's creative power by following her articles.


You Might Also Like


0 Comments


Would you like to share your thoughts?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *