Figma Expands AI Image Editing with Photoshop-Like Tools
â–Ľ Summary
– Figma has launched three new AI-powered tools for in-platform image editing: Erase object, Isolate object, and Expand image.
– The Erase and Isolate tools work with the lasso tool to remove objects or separate them from the background for repositioning.
– The Expand image tool uses generative AI to extend an image’s background to fit new aspect ratios without distortion.
– These features, similar to some Adobe tools, aim to reduce the need for users to switch to other editing platforms.
– The tools are available now to Full Seat subscribers and will be expanded to other Figma apps next year.
Figma is introducing a powerful suite of new AI-driven image editing capabilities directly within its platform, allowing designers to perform complex edits without leaving their workflow. The company has launched three specific tools: Erase object, Isolate object, and Expand image. These features are now accessible in both Figma Design and Figma Draw, providing users with the ability to quickly clean up compositions, separate elements for repositioning, and adjust an image’s dimensions seamlessly.
The Erase object and Isolate object tools integrate with Figma’s existing lasso selection tool. Users can simply draw around any unwanted element or subject within a picture. The AI then removes that selection, intelligently filling in the background to make it appear as though the object was never there. Alternatively, the isolate function cleanly separates the selected object from its background, placing it on its own layer. This allows for easy movement, independent editing, or reuse elsewhere in the design.
For adjusting an image’s frame, the Expand image tool stretches the canvas to meet a new aspect ratio. Figma states this is done “without distortion,” using generative AI to create a plausible background that blends naturally with the original photo’s content. This functionality closely mirrors features like Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Expand, highlighting the growing convergence of AI-powered editing across design software. While Adobe offers a broader ecosystem of creative applications, Figma’s move to build these tools natively means designers can accomplish more within a single interface, reducing the need to switch to other programs for basic to intermediate image adjustments.
To consolidate these new powers, Figma is also rolling out a dedicated image editing toolbar. This central hub houses the erase, isolate, and expand features alongside existing utilities like the background removal tool. Access to these AI editing features is currently reserved for users with a “Full Seat” subscription, which unlocks Figma’s complete suite of design products. The company has announced plans to expand the availability of these editing tools to other apps within the Figma platform in the coming year.
(Source: The Verge)
