Open a photo, and then select the Crop & Expand panel.
Last updated on
Jul 8, 2026
Learn how to use Generative Expand to extend a photo's canvas and fill the new areas with content that matches the original photo.
Generative Expand lets you extend a photo's canvas beyond its original dimensions and fill the transparent or empty space with generated content that blends naturally with your photo. You can also adjust the canvas to fit a different aspect ratio while retaining the original photo.
Use Generative Expand
-
-
Select the Enable Expand option, and then drag the edge outwards in the direction you want to expand. To maximize the quality of generated areas, expand one edge at a time.
You can also use Generative Expand after correcting an image's perspective in the Geometry panel, as perspective correction leaves empty areas along one or more edges of the photo.
-
To undock the Generative Expand panel, select the more options icon and then select Undock Generative Expand panel. You can then use the panel from the image display area.
-
In the Generative Expand panel, select one of the following options from the Method dropdown menu:
- Firefly Fill & Expand: Analyzes your original photo's lighting and perspective to fill the transparent area with realistic backgrounds.
- Content-Aware Fill: Fills the transparent portion of the photo with similar content from surrounding areas. Content-Aware Fill does not require any credits to generate.
-
Select Generate. Camera Raw generates three variations for the Firefly Fill & Expand option and one variation for Content-Aware Fill.
You can view the credits used for Firefly Fill & Expand from the generative credits icon.
Use Firefly Fill & Expand method to create three variations of the expanded photo. Use Firefly Fill & Expand method to create three variations of the expanded photo. -
To create another set of variations, select Generate More.
-
To view the photo without the expanded portion, select and hold the Toggle Visibility icon.
-
Select the variation you like, and then select Keep to make the expanded area part of your photo.
Tips on using Generative Expand
- Apply Generative Expand before other edits, such as Lens Blur or Masking.
- Use AI-powered Enhance features before Generative Expand to maximize image quality.
- If the image has adjustments like Shadow, Highlights, Clarity, or Dehaze, the appearance of the original photo might change in those areas.
- Generative Expand will not be included in the target photo for batch workflows like Copy, Paste, or Sync.
- Use Generative Expand after a photo is merged, rather than on the original photo before the merge.
