Adobe has unveiled an exciting development for Photoshop enthusiasts — the official launch of Photoshop on the web, along with the integration of new AI-powered features. This update allows users to edit, share, and collaborate on Photoshop projects directly from any web-enabled device, without requiring Adobe software installations on their PC or tablet.
The journey to this milestone began when Adobe introduced an online version of Photoshop in December 2021. Initially, users could share their PSD files, but it was necessary for recipients to have Photoshop or Illustrator installed locally. The game-changer arrived with Creative Cloud, enabling seamless sharing without the need for local software. The beta version of Photoshop on the web pushed the boundaries further by incorporating basic editing tools into the web interface, specifically designed for quick, minor edits, making it more accessible and user-friendly.
“With this release, we are focusing on the needs of creators who are new to Photoshop, offering a streamlined user experience,” stated Adobe VP Pam Clark in a blog post. “We have brought the majority of the most commonly used Photoshop tools to the web, simplifying the user experience for newcomers.”
In addition to standard editing tools, users can now harness the power of two new AI-driven features: “generative fill” and “generative expand.” These tools empower users to add, expand, or remove content from images non-destructively while automatically matching perspective, lighting, and style. These AI capabilities, originally introduced in the desktop version of Photoshop as part of Firefly, have now found their way to the web, enhancing the editing possibilities.
Furthermore, Adobe has migrated the “Contextual Taskbar” from the desktop version to the web. This on-screen menu observes your workflow and provides suggestions for relevant next steps, streamlining your creative process.
While this release offers an array of new features, some familiar tools like the patch and pen tools, smart object support, and the polygonal lasso are yet to make the transition to the web version. However, Adobe assures users that these missing tools will be added in future updates, promising even more functionality and flexibility for Photoshop on the web.
