Microsoft is enhancing Paint and Photos with new AI-powered features that aim to reduce reliance on advanced image editing software. The introduction of Generative Fill and Generative Erase in Paint brings powerful editing capabilities, allowing users to add or remove objects with precision. Using a size-adjustable brush, Generative Erase removes unwanted elements and distractions from images, similar to Google’s Magic Eraser. In contrast, Generative Fill empowers users to add AI-generated assets based on text descriptions and specify their placement, mirroring a function found in Adobe Photoshop.
These innovations build on the Cocreator tool for Paint, which was launched earlier this year and combines text prompts with reference sketches to generate images. Microsoft reports that the diffusion-based model behind these features has been upgraded for improved output quality, speed, and built-in moderation to minimize misuse.
Additionally, the Photos app will include the Generative Erase tool along with a new Super-Resolution feature. This capability utilizes on-device AI to upscale blurry or pixelated images by up to eight times the original resolution. Users can easily adjust the upscaling level with a slider, matching the functionality of tools like Canva’s image upscaler and surpassing Adobe Lightroom’s 4x enhancement. Microsoft claims that this feature allows for quick upscaling to 4K resolution within seconds.